Japan’s House of Councillors has approved a law allowing national and local public employees to serve as reserve personnel for the Self-Defence Forces (SDF), making it easier to mobilize them during emergencies. The legislation ensures that these employees will receive full pay from their regular jobs while attending SDF reserve training.
Under the Act on Special Provisions for Concurrent Employment of National and Local Public Employees, once public employees are designated as reserve personnel, they no longer need approval for each training session or related duties. Currently, around 70% of SDF reserve positions are occupied by individuals who also work civilian jobs.
The move is part of Japan’s efforts to enhance its defense capabilities by amending laws. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has recently endorsed a proposal to revise the country’s security documents, emphasizing increased defense spending and boosting the manning rate of SDF reserve personnel to address potential threats, causing public concern.
