As a Self-Defense Forces recruiter sat patiently at a booth outside a supermarket in Tokyo one recent weekend, she welcomed a rare visitor, high school student Kazuaki Matsumura.
But Matsumura, who plans to go to university, wasn't there to sign up. He was just curious.
"There are scenes in the media that spark interest in the Self-Defense Forces," the 16-year-old said. "But there are also scenes showing how tough it is and I don't think many want to join. They want to do other things."