Summary: Japan’s Security-Political Situation
Yoshiteru Oka
In every nation the legal basis for the military supreme command is embodied either in the constitution or in a corresponding law. In Japan this is not the case. Here only the prime minister can issue a combat order with the cabinet’s consent, and even then force of arms can only be used for self defence. This legal status goes back to the constitution developed with American guidance, especially upholding renouncement of war and reflecting both disapproval of war by the Japanese population and the allies’ fear of a revival of Japanese militarism. The existence and position of the Japanese "self defence armed forces” is not mentioned in the constitution, and the "defence office” corresponding to a ministry of defence is established merely as a special department in the prime minister’s office.
There is, however, a bill suggested by the ruling party which - by means of a constitutional amendment - is supposed to embody the national armed forces in the constitution and to regulate the supreme command. Thus, an important landmark for the Japanese security legislation could be set up with a two-thirds majority in parliament and a simple majority in a referendum. The strength of the Japanese self defence armed forces amounts to scarcely more than 250.000 men, the army with scarcely less than 160.000 men representing the strongest service. As there is no compulsory military service in Japan, the self defence armed forces actually consist of volunteers, and on taking up their posts its members possess the presumably longest educational background. As far as military expenditure is concerned, Japan holds the fifth position in the world, only just 43 Billions USD representing about 1% of the GDP (gross domestic product).
From 2006 onwards the services operate under a separate command in order to be able to react to threats more effectively. The defence plan is not aimed so intensively at Russia, but rather more at North Korea and China. Antiballistic missile defence, the fight against Guerilleros, and the protection of remote islands are given new priorities. Pyongyang has been on top of the list of threats not only since the missile test over Japanese territory happened. Tokyo is aware of the fact that North Korea not only builds atomic bombs but also invests in the development of biological weapons. At present, however, Peking is Japan’s main adversary. Chinese submarines violate Japanese territorial waters, Chinese research vessels become active in Japan’s exclusive economic zones, and double-digit growth-rates in the Chinese defence budget ring alarm bells in Japan.
In view of Russia’s and China’s joint manoeuvres Tokyo increasingly bets on its security partnership with the USA, although a US troop withdrawal might impair the balance of powers in this region. In this case Japan would be demanded to take more responsibility in the Northeast-Asian area.
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