Photo/Illutration The Defense Ministry’s building in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Improving work and living conditions, utilizing former service members and civilian personnel, and increasing the use of AI and drones are proposals to address the manpower shortage in the Self-Defense Forces.

The Defense Ministry released an interim report on measures to address the shortfall on Aug. 21. 

The measures were compiled by the study committee on fundamental reinforcement of human resource infrastructure, formed by the Defense Ministry in July.

The committee is expected to release the interim report at the end of August.

The enlistment target for SDF members is about 247,000. The actual number is short by approximately 20,000.

The report is expected to list measures to be taken to address the shortfall, some of which will be included in the budget request for the next fiscal year.

For example, a remote monitoring system and other systems will be introduced for the security of the Ground SDF garrisons.

In addition to cameras that monitor the license plate numbers of vehicles entering and leaving the premises, drones will be used to patrol the area.

In the event of an intruder, the drone will track the trespasser and share the location information with personnel while coordinating the response remotely.

The new system will replace security personnel, potentially eliminating the need for about 1,000 personnel per day in the future, according to the report.

The new system is expected to be tested at about 40 garrisons nationwide starting in fiscal 2025, with the ministry allocating 18 billion yen ($124 million) in its budget request.

In addition, private-sector automation technology will be utilized to reduce the need for manpower for storing and managing supplies at supply warehouses.

Such technology will be introduced at a supply depot, which is scheduled to be built at a training facility in Okinawa in fiscal 2025. The ministry plans to spend 4.3 billion yen on the project.

In unit operations, the ministry will accelerate the use of various types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for duties such as intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance to save on manpower.

The Maritime SDF plans to include in its budget request the acquisition of six ship-borne UAVs for 3.7 billion yen.

The MSDF is also moving forward with the selection of models for airborne UAVs.

The GSDF will also earmark 3 billion yen for the acquisition of small attack UAVs. It will also work on the use of AI for forecasting the demand for supplies.

Regarding improving the "attractiveness of the profession" for service members, the report includes increased pay and improved living and working conditions, including privacy protection.

As for using former SDF members and civilian personnel, the report includes outsourcing of basic pilot training for GSDF helicopters to the private sector.

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