Overcoming Ambivalence: The Case for Japanese Martial Internationalism - Japan's Contemporary Military Policy Debate, Alternate Strategies and Constitutional Changes for the Self-Defense Forces

This report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. This study seeks to demonstrate that Japan can best satisfy its international security interests by assuming a combatant role in current and future multinational military coalitions. The study labels this alternative military posture “martial internationalism.” An understanding of how Japanese military policy serves its overall international security interests is a central concern of this study. Japan’s international security interests are defined as: (1) shaping a stable international security environment, (2) supporting the United Nations, and (3) upholding the Japan-United States alliance. Factors considered in this argument include trends in Japan’s postwar military policy evolution and recent military activities and developments. The nature of Japan’s current domestic military policy debate is analyzed in terms of relevant political, social, military, and economic perspectives. Regional and international ramifications of a more militarily assertive Japan are explored. The study investigates the potential for martial internationalism to realize Japan’s international security interests and to permit a greater Japanese military contribution to the ongoing War on Terrorism. Finally, the study offers specific recommendations for both Japan and the United States toward implementing this alternative strategic design.

I. INTRODUCTION * II. THE EVOLUTION OF JAPANESE MILITARY POLICY * III. JAPAN’S CONTEMPORARY MILITARY POLICY DEBATE * IV. THE CASE FOR MARTIAL INTERNATIONALISM * V. CONCLUSION

On one hand, Japan faces considerable domestic and regional opposition to the use of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) in any but the most limited missions. These interests tend to favor a pacifist Japanese military orientation. Conversely, reasoned and legitimate use of its military in support of the interests of the international community presents Japan with a significant opportunity to bolster its prestige and leadership position in global affairs. In spite of this, many people fear that increased military activity could lead to a resurgence of Japanese militarism or, to a lesser degree, a military posture of autonomy. Because of these conflicting influences, Japan remains in a state of virtual paralysis regarding its national military policy - a military posture the thesis labels “static ambivalence.” Yet, history shows that despite this ambivalent attitude, Japanese military policy has evolved significantly since the end of the Second World War. This is especially true in the last ten years. Shifts from Japan’s initial postwar pacifism were few in number but dramatic in their effect, demonstrating a tendency over time toward fewer constraints and greater flexibility of action. During the early years of the Cold War, Japan focused almost solely on economic growth and recovery while only reluctantly succumbing to American pressures to provide for its own defense. When Japan achieved economic power in the 1970s, its military policy became even more connected to the other two pillars of the comprehensive security triad: diplomacy and trade. This forced wider the gap between Japanese and American views of the alliance. Later, Soviet, then Chinese and North Korean security threats prompted Japan to assert itself more in the military arena. These actions brought the nation into greater harmony with American global defense strategies and greatly strengthened the alliance in the 1990s. Finally, with the recent advent of the War on Terrorism, Japan has received a momentous opportunity to reform its military policy and embark on a renewed path toward becoming a “normal” nation.