The is one of
cabinet-level ministries of the
Japanese government. As a result of a law enacted on
December 15,
2006, it became a ministry on
January 9,
2007. Prior to that, it was the Japan Defense Agency (防衛庁, Bōei-chō). It is headquartered in
Shinjuku, Tokyo, and is the largest organ of the
Japanese government: in 2005, fixed personnel numbered 276,890, including 253,180 active troops.
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