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Military power of Japan & South Korea

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Japan vs South Korea

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Japan South Korea

Japan is a country located in Eastern Asia with an area of 377,944 km2 (land boundries: 0 km and costline 29,751 km). The capital of Japan is Tokyo. The number of inhabitants is 125,360,000.

The current Self Defense Force was founded in 1954. Japan has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the USA. Approximately 55,000 US troops and other military assets, including aircraft and naval ships, were stationed in Japan and had exclusive use of more than 80 bases and facilities. In exchange for their use, the US guarantees Japan’s security. The JSDF is equipped with a mix of imported and domestically-produced equipment. The majority of its weapons imports are from the US and some domestically-produced weapons are US-origin and manufactured under license.

More about Japan military

South Korea is a country located in Eastern Asia with an area of 100,210 km2 (land boundries: 237 km and costline 2,413 km). The capital of South Korea is Seoul. The number of inhabitants is 51,709,098.

US-South Korea Mutual Defense Treaty is a cornerstone of South Korea’s security. The Treaty gave the US permission to station land, air, and sea forces in the territory of South Korea. The USA maintained approximately 28,000 military personnel in the country. South Korea has been engaged with NATO through dialogue and security cooperation since 2005 and is considered by NATO to be a global partner. The South Korean military is equipped with a mix of domestically-produced and imported weapons systems. The top foreign weapons supplier is the United States and some domestically-produced systems are built under US license.

More about South Korea military

If you want to check the comparison in terms of economic ratios check out CompareEconomy.com

Military expenditures

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small flag KR

Military budget

+
51 billion $
44 billion $

Percent of GDP

+
1.2 %
2.5 %

Manpower

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small flag KR

Active personnel

+
247,150
555,000

Reserve personnel

+
56,100
2,750,000

Available for military

+
27,301,443
13,185,794

Land Forces

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small flag KR
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Tanks

+
1,004
2,201
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Armoured fighting vehicles

+
3,072
4,456
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Total artillery

+
623
8,096
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Self-propelled artillery

+
214
3,270
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Rocket artillery

+
99
426

Air Forces

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small flag KR
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Total aircraft

+
1,444
1,524
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Fighter

+
155
61
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Multirole

+
79
325
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Attack

+
0
0
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Helicopters

+
698
837
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UCAV (combat drone)

+
0
0

Navy

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small flag KR
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Total naval

+
140
152
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Aircraft carriers

+
4
2
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Destroyers

+
36
13
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Frigates

+
2
17
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Corvettes

+
6
3
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Submarines

+
22
22

Nuclear weapons

Japan

Does not have nuclear weapons.

South Korea

Does not have nuclear weapons.

Military service

Japan

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; mandatory retirement at age 53 for senior enlisted personnel and at 62 years for senior service officers.

South Korea

20-30 years of age for compulsory military service, with middle school education required; minimum conscript service obligation - 21 months (Army, Marines), 23 months (Navy), 24 months (Air Force); 18-26 years of age for voluntary military service; women, in service since 1950, admitted to 7 service branches, including infantry, but excluded from artillery, armor, anti-air, and chaplaincy corps; HIV-positive individuals are exempt from military service.