Self-Defense Forces Officer

This refers to those who perform duties in the Self-Defense Forces as stipulated in Article 3 of the Self-Defense Forces Law. The fixed number of personnel for the Ground Self-Defense Force, Maritime Self-Defense Force, and Air Self-Defense Force are stipulated in Article 6 of the Ministry of Defense Establishment Act. There are 17 ranks of Self-Defense Force personnel, broadly divided into generals, field officers, lieutenants, warrant officers, sergeants, and privates. Lieutenants and above are called senior officers. There is a retirement age for those with the rank of sergeant or above, and this is set by government ordinance for each rank. Privates, which are equivalent to soldiers, are appointed on a fixed-term basis for two or three years, and may be reappointed.

Self-Defense Force personnel, along with students at the National Defense Academy of Japan and the National Defense Medical College, and reserve personnel, are required to wear uniforms. This is why they are also called "uniformed personnel." Self-Defense Force personnel are members of the military under international law. In contrast, members of the Self-Defense Forces are employees of the Ministry of Defense, excluding ministers and vice ministers, and include not only self-defense personnel but also civil servants.

SDF members are recruited through a volunteer system. However, there are restrictions on retirement if it would seriously impede the performance of military duties. They are also required to live in a designated location. Furthermore, SDF members are obligated to perform their duties, obey the orders of their superiors, and maintain confidentiality, and severe penalties are set out for failure to fulfill these obligations. Political activity is also restricted, and the formation of organizations and industrial action are also prohibited.

In defense operations, SDF personnel are permitted to use weapons in accordance with the SDF Law. In addition, in security operations, they are permitted to exercise the authority stipulated in the Police Duties Execution Law.

[Haruo Fujii]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

自衛隊法第3条に定められた自衛隊の隊務を行う者をいう。その定数は、陸上自衛官、海上自衛官、航空自衛官について、それぞれ防衛省設置法第6条で定められている。自衛官の階級には、将官、佐官、尉官、准尉、曹、士に大別される17階級がある。尉官以上を幹部自衛官という。曹以上は定年制で、階級ごとに政令で定められている。兵士にあたる士は2年または3年を任用期間とする任期制で、再任用も可能である。

　自衛官は、防衛大学校、防衛医科大学校の学生および予備自衛官とともに、制服の着用が義務づけられている。ここから制服組ともいわれている。国際法上の軍隊の構成員にあたるのが自衛官である。これに対し自衛隊員とは、防衛省の職員で、大臣、副大臣などを除いたものをいい、自衛官だけでなく文官をも含む。

　自衛官は志願制度により採用される。ただし退職については、隊務遂行に著しい支障を及ぼすときは制限を受ける。また指定場所に居住する義務を負う。さらに自衛隊員は、職務遂行の義務、上官の命令に服従する義務、秘密を守る義務を負い、これらの義務不履行に対しては、厳しい罰則が定められている。また政治的行為が制限され、団体の結成、争議行為なども禁じられている。

　自衛官は防衛出動時などに、自衛隊法の定めるところにより、武器を使用することができる。また治安出動時には、警察官職務執行法に定める権限を行使することが認められている。

［藤井治夫］

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