Japanese Defense Issues - Feb 2010

Hideo Yanai

Hideo Yanai '93
Tokyo, Japan
February 4, 2010

Report from the field: Japanese Defense Issues

The defense of Japan is inextricably linked to the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty. The presence of approximately 47,000 U.S. military personnel in Japan, including the U.S. Seventh Fleet, is critical to the defense of Japan and the peace of East Asia.

Japan must strengthen its armed forces to counter the threats from China and North Korea. Japan's Maritime, Air, and Ground Self-Defense Forces are well-equipped and well-trained. However, with about 240,000 personnel, they are relatively small. It is time Japan did away with out-of-date, self-imposed restrictions on its forces.

China's military buildup is a growing threat to Japan. China's intent seems far from peaceful as the country has often violated Japan's territorial waters and air space. China also seems intent on annexing Taiwan, a de facto independent state that China has never ruled but regards as a renegade province. Japan cannot sit idly by as the sea lanes around Taiwan, vital for Japan's economy, are in jeopardy.

Furthermore, North Korea has conducted nuclear tests and fired missiles toward Japan that are capable of being nuclear-armed. The days of Kim Jong Il, the country's dictator, may be numbered, but he could very well miscalculate out of desperation.

In order to maintain peace and security for itself, Japan needs to build up its own forces, work more closely with the U.S., and keep a credible deterrence. Japan has worked with the U.S. to strengthen its missile defense, but it needs to do much more. Japan must become a stronger maritime power.