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The National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS) is the Ministry of Defense's core policy research arm, conducting research and studies with a policy orientation primarily on security and military history, while also serving as a strategic college-level educational institution for the training of high-level officers of the Self-Defense Forces. In addition, NIDS engages in such activities as the administration of military and naval documents, records and publications, and is considered to be the nation's foremost military history research center.

The National Defense Strategy, which was decided by the National Security Council and approved by the Cabinet in December 2022, states that “Japan will review and reinforce the research system of MOD/SDF led by the National Institute for Defense Studies and reinforce its functions as an intellectual base”. The Defense Buildup Program also states that “in order to further strengthen the research and education functions of MOD/SDF, centering on National Institute for Defense Studies, MOD/SDF will expand networks and organizational collaboration with domestic and foreign research and education institutions, universities, think tanks, and other organizations” and “National Institute for Defense Studies will strengthen their education and research contents and architecture for cyber domain and others for securing and providing skilled human resources who can become the core of SDF units”.

In August 2021, NIDS was designated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technologies as the research institute eligible for “Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research”, which allows NIDS researchers to apply for the grand-in aid. With this designation, NIDS expects to have better research functions and make further contribution to the scientific community.

NIDS proactively engages in research, studies, education and training, and places a strong emphasis on international exchanges and information dissemination. NIDS' work in each of these areas is widely recognized, establishing it as the pre-eminent institution dealing with security policy in Japan.

History

• Aug. 1952

  Founded as the National Safety College

• Jul. 1954

  Renamed the National Defense College

• May 1956

  Office of War History transferred from the Ground Staff College to the National Defense College

• Apr. 1973

  Research Department (consisting of six research offices), and Education Department established, to facilitate better performance for both research and education missions

• May 1976

  Office of War History renamed as the Military History Department (consisting of two research offices)

• Jul. 1984

  Research Department reorganized into the First and Second Research Departments in order to strengthen research in international relations

• Apr. 1985

  Renamed the National Institute for Defense Studies in order to enhance its ability to conduct policy research

• Oct. 1994

  Libraries of the Ground, Maritime, Air and Joint Staff Colleges incorporated into the NIDS Library (main building)

• Mar. 2001

  The NIDS Library (reference room of military archives) designated as a historical archives by the Minister of Public Management

• Apr. 2002

  The NIDS Military Archives officially established in the Library

• Aug. 2002

  50th anniversary of the National Institute for Defense Studies

• Apr. 2004

  Executive Director established and the First and Second Research Departments are reorganized into the Research Department. Research and studies and frameworks for international exchange are reinforced and strengthened

• Jan. 2007

  Renamed the National Institute for Defense Studies of the Ministry of Defense

• Apr. 2009

  The Seventh Research Office established in the Research Department

• Sep. 2011

  The Research Department was reorganized into the Policy Research Department, Theoretical Study Department, and Regional Study Department, the Department of Military History Study and the Library (history archive room only) were reorganized into the Center for Military History and the Planning Department was created.

• Aug. 2012

  NIDS celebrated the 60th anniversary of its founding

• Apr. 2015

  Executive Director,　Director (International Exchange and Libraries), and Director(Policy Simulation) established. (added)

• Apr. 2016

  China Division established in the Regional Studies Department

• Aug. 2016

  Relocated to Ichigaya from Meguro

• Aug. 2022

  NIDS celebrated the 70th anniversary of its founding

• Apr. 2023

  Cyber Security Division established in the Policy Studies Department

Organization