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Home» News»Japan Now Has its First Woman Submariner
Japan Now Has its First Woman Submariner
On May 18, 2021, at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) base in Sasebo, Japan, Lieutenant Junior Grade Risa Takenouchi became the first female officer to serve on a submarine in the history of the JMSDF. On May 18, 2021, at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) base in Sasebo, Japan, Lieutenant Junior Grade Risa Takenouchi became the first female officer to serve on a submarine in the history of the JMSDF.

Japan Now Has its First Woman Submariner

On May 18, 2021, Lieutenant Junior Grade Risa Takenouchi became the first female officer to serve on a submarine in the history of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Yoshihiro Inaba 05 Jun 2021

The ceremony took place at the JMSDF base in Sasebo. In the future, she is expected to become the first female submarine captain of the JMSDF.

Traditionally, the JSDF has placed restrictions on the assignment of female personnel, and this includes submarine crews. However, the JSDF gradually removed such restrictions on women against the backdrop of recent problems in recruiting personnel due to the declining birthrate and aging population. In such a move, the crew of the submarine was also opened up to women in December 2018. In 2019, female members were put on board the submarine Uzushio on a trial basis in order to understand the issues that arise when women are actually on board submarines. In addition, in October 2020, JMSDF had its first five female submarine crew members (Petty Officer and Leading Seaman).

「お知らせ」
本日、海上自衛隊潜水艦教育訓練隊(呉)の幹部専修科潜水艦課程を修業した初の女性幹部自衛官が呉停泊中の潜水艦に部隊実習のため着任しました。#海上自衛隊 #潜水艦教育訓練隊 #女性幹部自衛官https://t.co/Wrey1mhyka
上のURLをご覧下さい。潜水艦教育訓練隊のホームページです。 pic.twitter.com/kVNEgAyFNl

— 海上自衛隊呉地方総監部【公式】 (@jmsdf_krh) June 18, 2020

As a result of this series of developments, there have been significant changes inside the JMSDF submarines. JMSDF’s newest submarine, Taigei, which was launched in October 2020, has a women-only bedroom compartment and a shower room that is designed for women’s use. The National Defense Program Guidelines for FY 2019 and beyond, a document released in 2018 that outlines Japan’s defense policy for the next decade, clearly states that the Taigei will be operated as a test submarine. It is expected that various efforts for female crew members in future JMSDF submarines will be tested in the Taigei.

 As of 2020, there are about 17,000 female members in the entire JSDF, which has about 230,000 members (about 7.4% of the total), and there are about 3,000 female members serving in the JMSDF. The JSDF plans to increase the percentage of women among all JSDF personnel to 9% by FY2027, and it is expected that women will make more progress in various activities in the future.

Japan Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force JMSDF Submarine 2021-06-05
Tags Japan Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force JMSDF Submarine
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Authors

Posted by : Yoshihiro Inaba
Yoshihiro Inaba is a Freelance Writer based in Shizuoka, Japan. He is one of the few young military writers in Japan and is currently a student studying international law (especially self-defense and use of force) at a Japanese graduate school. He is particularly familiar with Japan's Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces.

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