The Republic of Japan Navy (日本海軍の共和国, Nipponkaigun no Kyōwakoku; abbreviated ROJN), or West Japanese Navy (西日本海軍, Nishinihon kaigun; abbreviated WJN), is the naval branch of the Republic of Japan Armed Forces, tasked with the naval defense of West Japan. It was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) after World War II and the division of Japan. The first Chief of Naval Operations was Admiral Juzo Okita who served as CNO from 1952-1958, and was succeeded by the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Ryu Hijikata.
The ROJN has a large fleet and its main tasks are to maintain control of the nation's sea lanes, to protect against the Wake Island Association and People's Republic of China, and to patrol territorial waters. It has also stepped up its participation in League of Nations and Allied Pact peacekeeping operations and Maritime Interdiction Operations.
Fleet[]
The Republic of Japan Navy is one of the most modern in the world due to a practice of replacing ships after only 20-30 years, with few exceptions. The Republic of Japan Navy has six main naval bases: Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kure, Maizuru, Okayama, and Sasebo.
Ships[]
- Hyuuga-class helicopter carrier (2) - 2009
- RJS Hyuuga (CVH-03)
- RJS Ise (CVH-04)
- Izumo-class helicopter carrier (2) - 2015
- RJS Izumo (CVH-05)
- RJS Kaga (CVH-06)
- Shoho-class aircraft carrier (2, 1 UC) - 2022
- RJS Shōhō (CV-07)
- RJS Zuihō (CV-08)
- RJS Mizuhō (CV-09) - under construction
- Yura-class Utility Landing Ship (2) - 1981
- RJS Yura (LSU-4171)
- RJS Maizuru (LSU-4172)
- 1-Go-class Landing Craft (2) - 1988
- RJS Yusotei 1-Go (LCU-2001)
- RJS Yusotei 2-Go (LCU-2002)
- Osumi-class Tank Landing Ship (3) - 1998
- RJS Osumi (LST-4001)
- RJS Shimotaka (LST-4002)
- RJS Kunisaki (LST-4003)
- LCAC-class Air Cushioned Landing Craft (6) - 1998
- RJS LCAC-01 (LCAC-2101)
- RJS LCAC-02 (LCAC-2102)
- RJS LCAC-05 (LCAC-2103)
- RJS LCAC-04 (LCAC-2104)
- RJS LCAC-05 (LCAC-2105)
- RJS LCAC-06 (LCAC-2106)
- Yoko-class Landing Support Vessel (2 UC) - 202X
- RJS Yoko (LSV-4101) - fitting out
- RJS Unnamed (LSV-4102) - under construction
- Nihonbare-class Utility Landing Craft (4 UC) - 202X
- RJS Nihonbare (LCU-4151) - fitting out
- RJS Unnamed (LCU-4152) - under construction
- RJS Unnamed (LCU-4153) - under construction
- RJS Unnamed (LCU-4154) - under construction
- Shimaabara-class Amphibious Assault Ship (1 UC, 1 planned) - 202X
- RJS Shimabara (LHD-4004) - under construction
- RJS Tsugaru (LHD-4005) - planned for construction
- Atsumi-class Landing Platform Dock (1 UC, 3 planned) - 202X
- RJS Atsumi (LPD-4006) - under construction
- RJS Takanawa (LPD-4007) - planned for construction
- RJS Katsuren (LPD-4008) - planned for construction
- RJS Shiretoko (LPD-4009) - planned for construction
- Kongou-class Guided Missile Destroyer (4) - 1990
- RJS Kongou (DM 173)
- RJS Kirishima (DM 174)
- RJS Myoko (DM 175)
- RJS Choukai (DM 176)
- Atago-class Guided Missile Destroyer (4) - 2007
- RJS Atago (DM 177)
- RJS Ashigara (DM 178)
- RJS Maya (DM 179)
- RJS Hagurou (DM 180)
- Takao-class Guided Missile Destroyer (2, 2 UC) - 2020
- RJS Takao (DM 181)
- RJS Nachi (DM 182)
- RJS Ibuki (DM 183)
- RJS Akagi (DM 184)
- Asagiri-class Destroyer (8) - 1988
- RJS Asagiri (DD-151)
- RJS Yamagiri (DD-152)
- RJS Yuugiri (DD-153)
- RJS Amagiri (DD-154)
- RJS Hamagiri (DD-155)
- RJS Setogiri (DD-156)
- RJS Sawagiri (DD-157)
- RJS Umigiri (DD-158)
- Murasame-class Destroyer (9) - 1996
- RJS Murasame (DD-101)
- RJS Harusame (DD-102)
- RJS Yudachi (DD-103)
- RJS Kirisame (DD-104)
- RJS Inazuma (DD-105)
- RJS Samidare (DD-106)
- RJS Ikazuchi (DD-107)
- RJS Akebono (DD-108)
- RJS Ariake (DD-109)
- Takanami-class Destroyer (5) - 2003
- RJS Takanami (DD-110)
- RJS Onami (DD-111)
- RJS Makinami (DD-112)
- RJS Sazanami (DD-113)
- RJS Suzunami (DD-114)
- Akizuki-class Destroyer (4) - 2012
- RJS Akizuki (DD-115)
- RJS Teruzuki (DD-116)
- RJS Suzutsuki (DD-117)
- RJS Fuyuzuki (DD-118)
- Asahi-class destroyer (2) - 2018
- RJS Asahi (DD-119)
- RJS Shiranui (DD-120)
- Isokaze-class destroyer (4) - 2021
- RJS Isokaze (DD-121)
- RJS Yukikaze (DD-122)
- RJS Tokitsukaze (DD-123)
- RJS Amatsukaze (DD-124)
- Abukuma-class Destroyer Escort (11) - 1989
- RJS Abukuma (DE-229)
- RJS Jintsu (DE-230)
- RJS Ooyodo (DE-231)
- RJS Sendai (DE-232)
- RJS Chikuma (DE-233)
- RJS Tone (DE-234)
- RJS Kako (DE-235)
- RJS Otonase (DE-236)
- RJS Minase (DE-237)
- RJS Yodo (DE-238)
- RJS Sakawa (DE-239)
- Mogami-class Frigate (7, 5 UC) - 2022
- RJS Mogami (FM-01)
- RJS Kumano (FM-02)
- RJS Noshiro (FM-03)
- RJS Mikuma (FM-04)
- RJS Yahagi (FM-05)
- RJS Agano (FM-06)
- RJS Niyodo (FM-07)
- RJS Yuubetsu (FM-08) - fitting out
- RJS Natori (FM-09) - fitting out
- RJS Nagara (FM-10) - fitting out
- RJS Unnamed (FM-11) - under construction
- RJS Unnamed (FM-12) - under construction
- New FFM (12 planned)
- RJS Unnamed (FM-13) - planned for construction
- RJS Unnamed (FM-14) - planned for construction
- RJS Unnamed (FM-15) - planned for construction
- RJS Unnamed (FM-16) - planned for construction
- RJS Unnamed (FM-17) - planned for construction
- RJS Unnamed (FM-18) - planned for construction
- RJS Unnamed (FM-19) - planned for construction
- RJS Unnamed (FM-20) - planned for construction
- RJS Unnamed (FM-21) - planned for construction
- RJS Unnamed (FM-22) - planned for construction
- RJS Unnamed (FM-23) - planned for construction
- RJS Unnamed (FM-24) - planned for construction
- Oyashio-class Submarine (11) - 1998
- RJS Oyashio (SS-590)
- RJS Michishio (SS-591)
- RJS Uzushio (SS-592)
- RJS Makishio (SS-593)
- RJS Isoshio (SS-594)
- RJS Narushio (SS-595)
- RJS Kuroshio (SS-596)
- RJS Takashio (SS-597)
- RJS Yaeshio (SS-598)
- RJS Setoshio (SS-599)
- RJS Mochishi (SS-600)
- Souryuu-class Submarine (12) - 2009
- RJS Souryuu (SS-601)
- RJS Unryuu (SS-602)
- RJS Hakuryuu (SS-603)
- RJS Kenryuu (SS-604)
- RJS Zuiryuu (SS-605)
- RJS Kokuryu (SS-606)
- RJS Jinryu (SS-607)
- RJS Sekiryu (SS-608)
- RJS Seiryuu (SS-609)
- RJS Shoryuu (SS-610)
- RJS Ooryuu (SS-611)
- RJS Touryuu (SS-612)
- Taigei-class Submarine (3, 4 UC, 5 planned) - 2022
- RJS Taigei (SS-613)
- RJS Hakugei (SS-614)
- RJS Jingei (SS-615)
- RJS Raigei (SS-616) - fitting out
- RJS Chougei (SS-617) - fitting out
- RJS Unnamed (SS-618) - under construction
- RJS Unnamed (SS-619) - under construction
- RJS Unnamed (SS-620) - planned for construction
- RJS Unnamed (SS-621) - planned for construction
- RJS Unnamed (SS-622) - planned for construction
- RJS Unnamed (SS-623) - planned for construction
- RJS Unnamed (SS-624) - planned for construction
- Sagami-class Combat Support Ship (1) - 1979
- Futami-class Ocean Survey Vessel (2) - 1979
- RJS Futami (AGS-5102)
- RJS Wakata (AGS-5104)
- Suma-class Ocean Survey Vessel (1) - 1982
- RJS Suma (AGS-5103)
- Chiyoda-class Submarine Rescue Tender (1) - 1985
- RJS Chiyoda (AS-405)
- Towada-class Combat Support Ship (3) - 1987
- RJS Towada (AOE-422)
- RJS Tokiwa (AOE-423)
- RJS Hamana (AOE-424)
- Kurobe-class Training Support Ship (1) - 1989
- RJS Kurobe (ATS-4202)
- Hibiki-class Ocean Surveillance Ship (3, 1 UC) - 1991
- RJS Hibiki (AOS-5201)
- RJS Harima (AOS-5202)
- RJS Aki (AOS-5203)
- RJS Bingo (AOS-5204) - fitting out
- Asuka-class Experimental Testbed Vessel (1) - 1995
- RJS Asuka (ASE-6102)
- Nichinan-class Ocean Survey Vessel (1) - 1999
- RJS Nichinan (AGS-5105)
- Hashidate-class Yacht (1) - 1999
- RJS Hashidate (ASY-91)
- Tenryuu-class Training Support Ship (2) - 2000
- RJS Tenryuu (ATS-4203)
- RJS Tatsuta (ATS-4204)
- Chihaya-class Submarine Rescue Ship (2) - 2000
- RJS Chihaya (ASR-403)
- Hiuchi-class Support Ship (5) - 2002
- RJS Hiuchi (AMS-4301)
- RJS Suo (AMS-4302)
- RJS Amakusa (AMS-4303)
- RJS Genkai (AMS-4304)
- RJS Enshu (AMS-4305)
- Mashu-class Combat Support Ship (2) - 2005
- RJS Mashu (AOE-425)
- RJS Omi (AOE-426)
- Shirase-class Icebreaker (1) - 2009
- RJS Shirase (AGB-5003)
- Shonan-class Ocean Survey Vessel (1) - 2010
- RJS Shonan (AGS-5106)
- Muroto-class Cablelayer (1) - 2012
- RJS Muroto (ARC-483)
- Chiyoda-class Submarine Rescue Vessel (1) - 2018
- RJS Chiyoda (AS-404)
- RJS Chitose (AS-405)
- Kussharo-class Replenishment Vessel (6 planned) - 202X
- RJS Kussharo (AOE-427) - planned for construction
- RJS Suigetsu (AOE-428) - planned for construction
- RJS Biwa (AOE-429) - planned for construction
- RJS Hibara (AOE-430) - planned for construction
- RJS Ikeda (AOE-431) - planned for construction
- RJS Kasumigaura (AOE-432) - planned for construction
- Kashima-class Training Ship (4) - 1994
- RJS Kashima (TV-3508)
- RJS Kashihara (TV-3509)
- RJS Katori (TV-3510)
- RJS Kashii (TV-3511)
- Asashio-class Training Submarine (3) - 2002
- RJS Asashio (TSS-3601)
- RJS Hayashio (TSS-3606)
- RJS Fuyushio (TSS-3607)
- Hatakaze-class Training Destroyer (2) - 2020
- RJS Hatakaze (TV-3520)
- RJS Shimakaze (TV-3521)
- Uraga-class Minesweeper Tender (2) - 1997
- RJS Uraga (MST-463)
- RJS Bungo (MST-464)
- Sugashima-class Minesweeper (12) - 1999
- RJS Sugashima (MSC-681)
- RJS Notojima (MSC-682)
- RJS Tsunoshima (MSC-683)
- RJS Naoshima (MSC-684)
- RJS Toyoshima (MSC-685)
- RJS Ukushima (MSC-686)
- RJS Izushima (MSC-687)
- RJS Aishima (MSC-688)
- RJS Aoshima (MSC-689)
- RJS Miyajima (MSC-690)
- RJS Shishijima (MSC-691)
- RJS Kuroshima (MSC-692)
- Hirashima-class Minesweeper (3) - 2008
- RJS Hirashima (MSC-601)
- RJS Yakushima (MSC-602)
- RJS Takashima (MSC-602)
- Enoshima-class Minesweeper (4) - 2012
- RJS Enoshima (MSC-604)
- RJS Chichijima (MSC-605)
- RJS Hatsushima (MSC-606)
- RJS Terushima (MSC-607)
- Awaji-class minesweeper 3, 1 UC, 2 planned) - 2017
- RJS Awaji (MSO-307)
- RJS Hirado (MSO-308)
- RJS Etajima (MSO-309)
- RJS Noumi (MSO-310) - fitting out
- RJS Unnamed (MSO-311) - planned for construction
- RJS Unnamed (MSO-312) - planned for construction
- Asagao-class Multimission Vessel (8, 5 UC, 7 planned) - 2021
- RJS Asagao (MMV-01)
- RJS Kuretake (MMV-02)
- RJS Fuyou (MMV-03)
- RJS Sanae (MMV-04)
- RJS Botan (MMV-05)
- RJS Yuri (MMV-06)
- RJS Wakatake (MMV-07)
- RJS Ajisai (MMV-08)
- RJS Omodaka (MMV-09) - fitting out
- RJS Sawarabi (MMV-10) - fitting out
- RJS Kakitsubata (MMV-11) - under construction
- RJS Nadeshiko (MMV-12) - under construction
- RJS Ayame (MMV-13) - under construction
- RJS Tsutsuji (MMV-14) - planned for construction
- RJS Kikyou (MMV-15) - planned for construction
- RJS Yuugao (MMV-16) - planned for construction
- RJS Karukaya (MMV-17) - planned for construction
- RJS Bashou (MMV-18) - planned for construction
- RJS Shion (MMV-19) - planned for construction
- RJS Kaidou (MMV-20) - planned for construction
- Hayabusa-class Patrol Ship (10) - 2002
- RJS Hayabusa (PG-824)
- RJS Wakataka (PG-825)
- RJS Otaka (PG-826)
- RJS Kumataka (PG-827)
- RJS Umitaka (PG-828)
- RJS Shiritaka (PG-829)
- RJS Tako (PG-830)
- RJS Shirohayabusa (PG-831)
- RJS Kamome (PG-832)
- RJS Ahoudori (PG-833)
Future Procurement[]
- West Japan will be building a pair of landing helicopter docks and a quartet of amphibious transport docks. The landing helicopter docks will have a length of 720 feet (219.46 meters), a beam of 124 feet (37.8 meters), a draft of 26 feet 3 inches (8 meters), a displacement of ~20,000 tons, a top speed of 24 knots (44.45 km/h). The amphibious transport docks will have a length of 689 feet (210 meters), a beam of 98 feet 5 inches (30 meters), a draft of 23 feet (7 meters), a displacement of 16,000 tons, and a top speed of 22 knots (40.74 km/h).
- West Japan will be building a trio of amphibious transport vessels based on the Philippine Navy's Bacolod City-class support vessels. Compared to the Bacolod City-class, this class of vessel will be 42 feet greater in length.
- West Japan will be building a trio of mobile landing platforms. This class will be 787 feet 6 inches (240 meters) in length, 128 feet (39 meters) wide, have a draft of 23 feet (7 meters), a displacement of 21,000 tons, a speed of 15 knots (27.78 km/h), and a maximum complement of 240 people.
- West Japan will be building a pair of MIDAS system equipped vessels with a standard displacement of 12,000 tons. The vessels are expected to be delivered in the 2027 and 2028 fiscal years.
- West Japan will be building twelve 3,900 ton Mogami-class frigates and a further twelve of a new class of larger 4,880 ton frigates to replace the older Asagiri-class destroyers and Abukuma-class destroyer escorts.
- West Japan will be building at least seven 3,000 ton Taigei-class submarines to replace the older Harushio-class submarines.
- Japan will be building a new class of 14,500 tonne replenishment vessels to replace the aging Sagami and Towada-class combat support vessels.
- West Japan will be building twelve new offshore patrol vessels to take over the patrol missions of the Abukuma-class destroyer escorts and Hayabusa-class patrol boats.
- The Republic of Japan Navy will be developing a new electronic warfare aircraft based on the Kawasaki P-1.
- West Japan and the British Empire will be working together to develop the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI).
- West Japan will develop a new stealthy surface-to-ship/surface-to-surface precision guided missile with a planned service date of ~2030.