9+96=51: The Effect of Amending Japan's Constitution on the Principles of Joint Operations of Bilateral Operations Between PACOM and the JSDF

Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution prohibits the existence of military forces for any measure except self-defense. Collective Self-Defense CSD is beyond this minimum force structure. Should Japan utilize article 96 of their Constitution to amend article 9 and establish a force structure to exercise CSD under article 51 of the UN charter, the principles of joint operations for bilateral operations between U.S. Pacific Commander PACOM and the Japanese Self Defense Force JSDF will be impacted. This paper conducts a critical analysis of what the effect of an amended Japanese Constitution would be on the 12 principles of joint operations for bilateral operations between Japan and the United States. It reveals the majority of the principles would be enhanced yet the severity of the degraded principles exceeds this enhancement and therefore the aggregate effect on the joint principles of operations is negative. In order to alleviate Japanese domestic pressure to amend their Constitution, PACOM must continue promoting a robust partnership with the JSDF. By reassuring the Japanese government, people, and JSDF of the commitment of the United States to Japans security, the motivation to amend article 9 will diminish.