{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Short description|Self Defense Fleet of the JMSDF}} {{Infobox military unit | unit_name = Self Defense Fleet | native_name = 自衛艦隊 | image = File:JMSDF Self Defense Fleet logo.jpg | caption = Self Defense Fleet emblem | dates = 1 July 1954 – present | country = Japan | allegiance = Japan | branch = Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force | type = | role = Fleet | size = approx 24,000 people | command_structure = Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force | garrison = Yokosuka | garrison_label = | nickname = | patron = | motto = | colors = | colors_label = | march = | mascot = | equipment = | equipment_label = | battles = | anniversaries = 1 July | decorations = | battle_honours = <!-- Commanders --> | notable_commanders = <!-- Insignia --> | identification_symbol = | identification_symbol_label = | identification_symbol_2 = | identification_symbol_2_label = | website = https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/sf/index.html | current_commander = Vice Admiral Omachi Katsushi | commander1_label = Commander | ceremonial_chief = | ceremonial_chief_label = Chief of Staff | colonel_of_the_regiment = | colonel_of_the_regiment_label = Operation Chief Staff | commander4 = | commander4_label = }}
The {{nihongo|'''Self Defense Fleet'''|自衛艦隊|Jiei Kantai|lead=yes}} is the main force of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, and was established at the same time as the establishment of the Self-Defense Forces (predecessor of the Ministry of Defense) on July 1, 1954. It operates ships and aircraft, and responds to maritime defense in the waters around Japan, various situations, and international missions.
== Overview == The Self-Defense Fleet is composed of the headquarters and Fleet Escort Force, Fleet Air Force, Fleet Submarine Force, Mine Warfare Force, Fleet Intelligence Command, {{ill|Oceanography ASW Support Command|ja|海洋業務・対潜支援群}}, Fleet Research and Development Command, and other units specified by the Minister of Defense.<ref>{{Cite web|title=自衛隊法施行令 {{!}} e-Gov法令検索|url=https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/document?lawid=329CO0000000179|access-date=2021-05-31|website=elaws.e-gov.go.jp}}</ref> It can be said that it is a de facto control unit of the actual combat division, which is equivalent to the Combined Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
The headquarters is located in the Funakoshi district (7-73 Funakoshi-cho, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture). The new government building Marine Operations Center completed on the site of the Kanto Auto Works began full-scale operation on October 1, 2020.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Shinbun|first=Asagumo|date=8 October 2020|title=Marine Operations Center operation started (October 1, 2020)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |title=10月1日、海上自衛隊は、海上作戦センター |number=1311621381516394497 |user=JMSDF_PAO |archive-date=2022-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829181653/https://twitter.com/JMSDF_PAO/status/1311621381516394497 |url-status=live |access-date=18 June 2023 |lang=ja |url=https://twitter.com/jmsdf_pao/status/1311621381516394497}}</ref> In addition to the Self-Defense Fleet Command, the center contains the headquarters of the Fleet Escort Force, Fleet Air Force, Fleet Submarine Force, Mine Warfare Force, Fleet Intelligence Command, Oceanography ASW Support Command, Fleet Research and Development Command.<ref name=":0" /> The Maritime Operations Center before the completion of the new government building pointed to the command facility within the Self-Defense Fleet Command.<ref>{{Cite web|title={{!}} 入札情報速報サービスNJSS|url=https://www.njss.info/offers/view/11120328/|access-date=2021-05-31|website=www.njss.info|language=ja}}</ref>
Commanded by the commander of the Self Defense Fleet, under the command and supervision of the Minister of Defense through the Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, the commander of the Fleet Escort Force, the commander of the Fleet Air Force, and the commander of the Fleet Submarine Force operate the unit provided by such as a person in charge of dealing with certain situation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=組織・編成‐自衛艦隊 海上自衛隊|url=https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/sf/about/organization.html|access-date=2021-05-31|website=www.mod.go.jp}}</ref> The commander of the Self-Defense Fleet is assigned by the Maritime Self-Defense Force.<ref>{{Cite web|title=自衛隊法施行令 {{!}} e-Gov法令検索|url=https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/document?lawid=329CO0000000179|access-date=2021-05-31|website=elaws.e-gov.go.jp}}</ref> In principle, the executor of the Self-Defense Forces Fleet Review is the Commander of the Self-Defense Forces Fleet.
According to the Self-Defense Forces Bill Guidelines decided by the Cabinet on March 2, 1954, after an agreement was reached by the Conservative Three-Party Defense Negotiations of the Liberal Party, the Kaishintō Party, and the Japanese Liberal Party, a coalition self-defense fleet would be formed within the Maritime Self-Defense Force. However, in the Self-Defense Forces Bill officially decided by the Cabinet on March 9, 1954, it was changed to simply call it the Self-Defense Forces Fleet.
== Citations == <references />
== External links ==
* [https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/sf/unit/W007H0000007.html Fleet Intelligence Command] *[http://www.clearing.mod.go.jp/kunrei_data/a_fd/1996/ax19970117_00002_000.pdf Instructions on the organization of the basic information support team] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307210154/http://www.clearing.mod.go.jp/kunrei_data/a_fd/1996/ax19970117_00002_000.pdf |date=7 March 2016 }} *[http://www.clearing.mod.go.jp/kunrei_data/a_fd/1996/ax19970117_00003_000.pdf Instructions on the organization of electronic information support teams] *[http://www.clearing.mod.go.jp/kunrei_data/a_fd/1994/ax19950328_00019_000.pdf Instructions on the organization of the operational information support team] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119082009/http://www.clearing.mod.go.jp/kunrei_data/a_fd/1994/ax19950328_00019_000.pdf |date=19 January 2013 }}
{{Japan Self-Defense Forces}} {{Combatant ship classes of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Category:Naval history of Japan