In Japan, the army needs new recruits

An impressive single storey red brick building dating from the late 19th century^e century, Etajima Naval Base, a small island in the inland sea in Hiroshima Department (southwest), occupies the heart of the Japan Naval Academy. A high place of memory, the school houses the ashes of Admiral Heihachiro Togo (1848-1934), the ‘Nelson of the East’, a guardian figure in the Japanese Navy whose career is marked by the victory over the Russian fleet at the Battle of Tsushima. (1905). For the first time, a non-Western state defeated a European power.

In a large room in the main building, six tanned student officers talk about enlisting in the Naval Defense Forces (FAD, Japanese Army). A rare choice in Japan, which is facing a crisis of conscription for its army. In the year ending in late March, barely 4,300 Japanese registered, far short of the target of 9,245 set by the country’s government, which is working to dramatically boost its defense arsenal. Amid heightened tensions with China and North Korea, the military budget is slated to increase by 60% over five years.

The Etajima cadets, who speak anonymously, like all our FAD interlocutors, all raised the desire “To protect Japan and her essential sea routes for her supplies”. Taro, the sailor’s son, continues the family tradition. Athletic Daisuke says he has Always wanted to help. “I love water sports and I hate mud, He lets go. That’s why I chose Navy. » Shoko, he studied Chinese at Tokyo University of Foreign Languages. ” I am reading War beyond borders By Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui (Payot and Shores, 2003). This book describes today’s warfare that affects every sphere, cyber, trade, culture. I was amazed. Since I was born in Kagoshima, quite close to the city of China, I was interested in the issue of sea routes. » As for Giro, his commitment comes from being in Australia. “A friend went to the army. inspired me I first thought about the army, but the difficult context surrounding Japan led me to choose the navy, which is on the front line..

Good reputation of the army

The attraction of civil servant status also partly explains this choice, points out an officer at the Minato District Employment Office, which is housed in an old building in the heart of Tokyo. This office, like the forty-seven departments of the archipelago, is the first step towards commitment. Photographs of planes or ships, smiling staff and colorful caricatures shyly shine on the gray walls. The display is dedicated to the FAD magazine, Mamor (“protect” in Japanese), each of which “one” represents a young woman in uniform.