National Defense Academy of Japan

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National Defense Academy of Japan (防衛大学校, Bōei Daigakkō^?), abbreviated NDA (防大, Bōdai^?) is a four-year university-level military academy aimed to educate and train students who will be officers in three services of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. It is located in Yokosuka, Kanagawa.

It was opened in 1953, and matriculated its first female student in 1992.

Its main course students are selected from applicants and typically are recent graduates from Japanese civilian senior high schools who have completed twelve years of formal schooling. They are paid a salary as an employees of the Ministry of Defense.

After graduation they are posted to the Officer Candidate Schools in one of three forces, take training alongside civilian university graduates and internal promotees before being posted as officers. Every year several graduates refuse to be posted and quit, but these individuals need not refund their salary. There is some criticism about this generosity among the general public.

It also runs master's and doctoral level courses for students who are endorsed by their supervisors at the posted forces.

The National Institution for Academic Degrees and University Evaluation, an affiliate of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has recognised the courses and awards the graduates degrees on request. As the Academy is not an MEXT-recognised university it cannot offer its own degrees.