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Meeting Its Strategic Responsibilities
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14540 |
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Section : |
CURRENT ISSUES
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| Issue
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3 / 1988 |
1,447 Words |
| Author
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Masao Horie
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In 1950, when the Korean War broke out, Japan established the Reserve Police Force. Since then there have been numerous national and political arguments over defense policy. As a result, Japan developed the following basic defense principles based on the constitution and its founding spirit.
First, Japan will keep peace and independence as a democratic society with its own defense force and with the U.S.-Japan Mutual Security Treaty.
Second, Japan will keep minimum forces to be used only for defense and will never send troops abroad.
Third, Japan will never introduce, produce, nor store nuclear power.
And fourth, Japan will never export weapons or technology to any country not an ally of the United States.
In 1957, the Japanese government established the basic defense police based on the U.S.-Japan Mutual Security Treaty, hoping to keep it only until the United Nations created another. At that time, the government decided to strengthen Japan's defense by stabilizing public welfare and developing patriotism, thereby laying a foundation necessary for national security.
The government also resolved to gradually improve its self-defense capacity in relation to the national condition.
Since 1957, the Japanese government has continuously developed a defense policy based on those guidelines. Japan has gradually improved the quality and quantity of its strength through the four defense plans from 1958 to 1976. However, because of the "peace-loving" public and the government's stress on social welfare, the defense budget has always been restrained. This has delayed the modernization of major weapons and support facilities.
After 1977, "Détente" halted the buildup of major defensive weapons in Japan and kept them to only the level and quantity reached by that time. In 1986, because of the previous unfulfilled program, Japan reestablished the Midterm Defense Plan and hopes to complete it by 1990. Subsequently, the government now expects an annual 5.4 percent increase in the defense budget.
Early in 1987, the government abandoned its 10-year-old policy of limiting defense spending to 1 percent of the gross national product (GNP). This means that Japan can expect to see completion of the Midterm Plan, which will improve air-defense capability on the main island of Hokkaido, and establish a 1,000-mile sealane-defense capability.
Economically Japan has become No. 2 in the world. Just after World War II, Japan's GNP was only 5 percent that of the United States, but 42 years later it has risen to more than 50 percent. As a member of the international community, it is natural for Japan to contribute its fair share to the world. In the national security area, however, Japan's special situation should be considered.
First, Japan needs to operate under the current restrictions set down in the constitution. It is not unlikely that Japan could revise its constitution
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