Minister of Defense (Japan)

Minister of Defence
防衛大臣
Standard of the Minister of Defence
Incumbent
Minoru Kihara
since 13 September 2023 (2023-09-13)
Ministry of Defence
StyleHis Excellency
Member ofCabinet
National Security Council
Defence Council
Reports toThe Prime Minister
AppointerThe Prime Minister
subject to formal attestation by the Emperor
PrecursorDirector General of the Defence Agency
Formation9 January 2007 (2007-01-09)
First holderFumio Kyuma
DeputyState Minister of Defence
Salary¥20,916,000

The Minister of Defence (防衛大臣, Bōei Daijin), or Bōei-shō (防衛相), is a member of the Japanese cabinet and is the leader of the Japanese Ministry of Defence, the executive department of the Japanese Armed Forces. The minister of defence’s position of command and authority over the military is second only to that of the Prime Minister of Japan, who is the commander-in-chief.

The minister of defense is appointed by the Prime Minister and is a member of the National Security Council. The current Minister of Defence is Minoru Kihara, who took office on September 13, 2023.