Japan Sets Admission Criteria for Foreign Defense Academy

Japan's National Defense Academy (NDA) has announced the requirements for foreign nationals wishing to enroll in the institution. Admission is contingent upon a formal agreement between Japan and the applicant's home country, which must be established prior to considering individual applications.

Candidates are required to possess a high-school or secondary-school diploma recognized as equivalent to a Japanese high school qualification, as certified under Japan's School Law. Age limits are strictly enforced; foreign applicants must be under 22 years old as of 1 April in the enrollment year, while those entering the Japanese-language course must be under 21.

For Japanese nationals, candidates must be aged between 18 and 20, with those already serving in the Self-Defense Forces eligible to apply up to age 22. Good health and character are also prerequisites.

The NDA, located in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, is Japan's primary institution for training future military officers across various branches.