noun
Ministry of Defense
The Japanese government ministry responsible for national defense and the Self-Defense Forces.
防衛省は今年の予算案を発表した。
The Ministry of Defense announced this year's budget proposal.
防衛庁 was the former Defense Agency before it was upgraded to a full ministry (防衛省) in 2007.
Compound of 防衛 (defense) and 省 (ministry), formed when the Defense Agency was elevated to ministry status in 2007.