2026 military data comparison
South Korea vs Japan Military Power
Compare South Korea and Japan across 21 available personnel, equipment and spending indicators. MilitaryDex ranks South Korea #6 and Japan #16 in the 2026 edition.
South Korea
27.2Strength Score
15 indicators higher
Japan
12.7Strength Score
4 indicators higher
Comparison at a glance
Higher MSS score
South Korea
27.2 vs 12.7
Indicators higher
15–4
2 tied
Global ranks
#6 / #16
of 145 profiles
Defense budgets
$44.8B
vs $58.0B
Category scorecard
Manpower3 – 0 – 0
Air force4 – 0 – 1
Navy2 – 1 – 2
Army and ground forces5 – 0 – 0
Financial and strategic1 – 1 – 1
Largest reported differences
Reserve troops: South Korea
South Korea 3,100,000 · Japan 56,000
Self-propelled artillery: South Korea
South Korea 2,780 · Japan 193
Towed artillery: South Korea
South Korea 5,800 · Japan 480
Multiple-launch rocket systems: South Korea
South Korea 525 · Japan 99