Accession Number:

ADA279924

Title:

Japan's Self-Defense Forces: What Dangers to Northeast Asia

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.

Corporate Author:

ARMY WAR COLL STRATEGIC STUDIES INST CARLISLE BARRACKS PA

Personal Author(s):

• Wilborn, Thomas L.

Report Date:

1994-05-01

Pagination or Media Count:

49.0

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 Japans 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

Descriptors:

• *THREATS
• *JAPAN
• FOREIGN POLICY
• NATIONS
• ATTACK
• ASIA
• POSTURE(PHYSIOLOGY)
• NORTHEAST ASIA
• RESTRAINT
• REGIONS
• POLICIES
• MILITARY FORCES(FOREIGN)

Subject Categories:

• Government and Political Science
• Geography
• Military Forces and Organizations
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE