The administration of the Japan Self-Defense Forces was managed by the Defense Agency (later Ministry of Defense) and of the Chief Defense Agency (later Secretary of State for Defense) was managed by the Minister of State.
自衛隊の事務は、防衛庁（後に防衛省）が掌理し、防衛庁長官（後に防衛大臣）には国務大臣があてられた。