Military power of Japan & South Korea
Japan vs 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 militarySouth 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 militaryIf you want to check the comparison in terms of economic ratios check out CompareEconomy.com
Military expenditures
JP | KR | |
---|---|---|
Military budget: | 51 billion $ | 44 billion $ |
Percent of GDP: | 1.2% | 2.5% |
Manpower
JP | 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
JP | KR | ||
---|---|---|---|
Tanks: | 1,004 | 2,606 | |
Armoured fighting vehicles: | 3,072 | 4,380 | |
Total artillery: | 623 | 7,468 | |
Self-propelled artillery: | 214 | 3,040 | |
Rocket artillery: | 99 | 574 |
Air Forces
JP | KR | ||
---|---|---|---|
Total aircraft: | 1,444 | 1,585 | |
Fighter aircraft: | 155 | 156 | |
Multirole aircraft: | 79 | 371 | |
Attack aircraft: | 0 | 0 | |
Helicopters: | 698 | 757 | |
UCAV (combat drone): | 0 | 0 |
Navy
JP | KR | ||
---|---|---|---|
Total naval: | 140 | 195 | |
Aircraftcarriers: | 4 | 2 | |
Destroyers: | 36 | 12 | |
Frigates: | 2 | 18 | |
Corvettes: | 6 | 11 | |
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.