Japan's Self-Defense Forces: What Dangers to Northeast Asia
Abstract
The author addresses the concerns frequently raised by East Asians that Japan may become a military threat to other nations of the region. He describes and analyzes Japanese defense policy as it has evolved over some four decades, and the capabilities of its Self-Defense Forces (SDF), to ascertain if the fears of a remilitarized Japan have any basis in fact. He determines that Japanese defense policy places rigid restraints on the SDF, and that currently there is no support for anything but a thoroughly defensive military posture. Moreover, the SDF lack the force projection capability to attack any of Japan's neighbors, and could not attain such a capability in less than a decade even if there were a political decision to do so. Finally, the preponderance of evidence suggests that future generations of leaders are no more likely to pursue a military role in the region than the generation which has governed since the end of the occupation in 1952. Japan, East Asia, Self-Defense Forces (SDF), Peacekeeping, Northeast Asia, Asia-Pacific Region, Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA279924
Entities
People
- Thomas L. Wilborn
Organizations
- United States Army War College