Japan: The Emerging Defence Debate

23 Jan, 2001    ·   453

Dr Subhash Kapila comments on the changing contours of Japanese strategic doctrine


Japan had a ?Peace Constitution? imposed on it by the United States in the aftermath of World War II.? Article 9 of this Constitution banned Japan from waging war to settle international disputes.? Japan was also not to have armed forces but police forces for domestic security.? The external security of Japan was guaranteed by the United States which included? provision of a nuclear umbrella.?

 

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The Korean War prodded the United States to create full-fledged Japanese armed forces comprising all the three services, euphemistically termed Ground Self ? Defense Force (Japanese Army); Maritime Self. Defense Force (Japanese Navy) and Air Self Defense Force (Air Force)?

 

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In a reversal of its original policy, the United States , at the height of the Cold War, prevailed upon Japan to accept greater defense responsibilities in the Asia-Pacific region and develop naval capabilities for defense of its sea-lanes upto 1600 miles south from the Japanese mainland.?

 

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In the post-Cold War era the United States has prevailed on Japan with in the US-Japan Revised Defenses Guide Line 1997 to accept a greater security role in the Asia ? Pacific region and also for joint development of the Theatre Missile Defense (TMD) System.? Japan ?s security is being jointly catered for both by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the United States under its Mutual Security Treaty which enjoins the presence of sizeable US Armed Forces in Japan .

 

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Despite its security being assured, a domestic Japanese defense debate has begun taking shape from last year onwards, calling for changes.?

 

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Japanese Domestic Defense Debate?

 

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The Japanese nation shunned domestic defense debates for nearly half a century.? This arose from its subjection to nuclear bombing in 1945.? The Japanese revulsion for war and especially nuclear weapons was genuine and understandable.

 

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However, contemporary regional strategic developments, which will be analyzed later below have prompted the following defense debate:?

 

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????????????????????? Japan ?s national security management and Armed Forces are presently being handled by the Japanese Defense Agency (JDA) headed by a Director General.? Demands have arisen that JDA be upgraded to a full ministry and headed by a Cabinet rank minister.?

 

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????????????????????? Japanese politicians belonging to a wide spectrum have openly begun articulating the need for a debate to amend the ?peace constitution.? Demands for amendment of Article 9 especially is gaining ground.?

 

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????????????????????? Japanese participation in UN Peace-keeping Forces has so far been confined to the provision of logistics forces.?? The Japanese feel that, commensurate with its economic and political power, these constitutional amendments would? permit full Japanese participation in UN operations.?

 

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Japanese threat perceptions are generally reflected in its in the Annual White Papers of the JDA. China was never mentioned as a threat, because in the perceptions of its joint defense partner the United States under the Clinton Administration, China had to be ?constructively and comprehensively? engaged.

 

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Significantly, articulations are now being made in Japanese think tanks about China emerging as the main threat to Japan . China is increasingly becoming a subject of domestic debate.?

 

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Regional Security Environment Stimulating Defense Debate in Japan

 

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The regional security environment Japan is witnessing dramatic changes, causing uncertainty and concern which has stimulated the defense debate.? Factors of concern are:?

 

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????????????????????? China ?s military build-up, modernization and up-gradation of forces?

 

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????????????????????? China ?s potential to generate armed conflict over Taiwan .

 

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????????????????????? China ?s growing naval strength, which could affect the security of Japanese sea-lanes.

 

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????????????????????? Strategic coalition of China and Russia to challenge American predominance in the region under the guise of ?multi-polarity??

 

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????????????????????? China ?s naval intrusions into Japanese waters near the Senkaku Islands .

 

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????????????????????? China ?s reported embedding of under-water listening devices in Japanese waters.?

 

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????????????????????? China ?s intrusiveness in Japanese domestic politics.?

 

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????????????????????? China ?s endless demands for a national apology from Japan for World War II atrocities.?

 

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There is a growing feeling in Japan that China has been pushed too far.? Japanese feel that China is an ungrateful nation in that even after more than 30 years; of sizeable Japanese economic aid and investments, China continues to threaten Japan .??? China ?s naval intrusions and implanting of underwater listening devices has touched a raw nerve in Japan .? The Japanese national psyche and concept of ?honor? does not brook such animus.

 

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Conclusion

 

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Japan is a proud and nationalistic nation.? It has the unique distinction in the last century of having inflicted military defeats on the three major power of today i.e? China , Russia and USA . General MacArthur?s vision enabled the United States to convert a vanquished foe into a staunch Pacific ally. Japans current defense debate, forced by Chinese policies and actions, may prompt Japan to amend Article 9 and lead to creation of a significant indigenous defense capability as a response to the emerging Chinese threat.?

 

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