Japan and the Soviet Threat: Perceptions and Reactions.

Abstract

Japan and the USSR occupy neighboring positions geographically, yet stand vastly separated due to historical and cultural reasons. A cloud of distrust permeates bilateral relations. Since 1978, greatly expanded Soviet military forces in Northeast Asia have been added to this unstable foundation. With such military power so close, one might think Japan would be acutely concerned. This paper examines the security perceptions of various Japanese groups, the Japn-USSR economic linkages to the security issue, and the extent which Japan's ongoing defense programs represent a direct response to the Soviet threat. The US government would like to believe that Japn shares a similar security outlook of the USSR. This study demonstrates that marked differences currently exist, but suggests that Japanese perceptions of (and responses to) the Soviet threat are in a state of flux.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1983
Accession Number
ADA142105

Entities

People

  • C. A. Kemp

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Boats
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Geography
  • Governments
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Law
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Naval Operations
  • Navy
  • Second World War
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union