The Defense Ministry is considering increasing the size of the Ground Self-Defense Force by 13,000 members to improve its ability to deal with the fluid security situation in East Asia, international terrorism and disasters, according to sources in the ministry and the Self-Defense Forces.
The ministry is hoping to incorporate the plan in the new national defense program outline to be compiled at the end of the year for implementation next fiscal year, the sources said Sunday. It would be the first increase in GSDF personnel since fiscal 1972.
Analysts say, however, the plan may not be welcomed by the government because of the added costs during a period of tight fiscal conditions.