Japan's Defense Ministry plans to expand reemployment support for retired Self-Defense Forces personnel, allowing multiple uses up to age 65. The move addresses ongoing labor shortages and will take effect in fiscal 2026.
Japan's Defense Ministry is set to broaden its reemployment support system for retired Self-Defense Forces (SDF) personnel. Most SDF members face mandatory retirement in their mid-50s and currently receive one-time assistance upon leaving service, including job introductions and guidance on applications and interviews. However, the Self-Defense Forces Law limits this to the point of retirement, prompting calls for enhancements from some personnel.
The ministry intends to submit a bill to revise the law during the ordinary Diet session convening on January 23. The amendment would permit multiple instances of support until age 65, aligning with the retirement age for other government officials and the start of pension eligibility. Implementation is slated for fiscal 2026, aiming to ease post-retirement anxieties and encourage younger recruits amid severe staffing shortages.
Initially, an internal expert panel discussion targeted improvements for fiscal 2028 or later. But due to persistent personnel deficits, the timeline has been accelerated. At the end of fiscal 2024, only 89.1% of the 247,154 SDF positions were filled, a drop from 94.1% at the end of fiscal 2020.
