Japan Press Weekly

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2026 August 5 - 11 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Despite Defense Ministry’s push, number of municipalities which provide young people’s personal data to SDF decreases

The number of municipalities which provided Self-Defense Forces’ recruiters with young citizens’ personal data without consent decreased to 1,125 in fiscal 2025, down 27 from the previous year. This came to light from materials submitted by the Defense Ministry to Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councillors Yamazoe Taku.

The provision of personal data without individuals’ consent constitutes a violation of privacy. It is believed that the decline in the number of municipal governments was influenced by unconstitutional lawsuits against and growing public concerns over such an act.

The Defense Ministry every year requests local governments to supply personal information including the full names, birth dates, addresses, and genders of young people aged 17 and 18 who are about to graduate from high school as well as those aged 21 and 22. The ministry aims to use the provided information for SDF recruitment activities, such as sending direct mail.

Local governments’ cooperation in the SDF’s recruiting activities has come under increasing public criticism. In 2024, a high school student in Nara City (Nara Pref.), seeking state compensation, filed a lawsuit against the national and city governments for violation of privacy guaranteed under Article 13 of the Constitution. In March 2026, another high school student in Gifu City (Gifu Pref.) began a similar legal battle. Among municipal governments, there are some which stopped giving young citizens’ personal information in response to residents’ criticism.

Past related article:
> JCP in Yokohama urges city gov’t to stop providing citizens’ personal data without their consent to SDF [April 6, 2024]