An Army All But in Name: The Recent Push for Japanese Military Independence

The Japanese Army, characterized in World War II as one of the fiercest forces in the world, was unwilling to surrender and battled to the last man to protect the Land of the Rising Sun. The imperialistic nature of the Japanese army, along with their brutality during World War II, was cited as one of the key justifications for Allied occupation and U.S. written constitutional reform of the Japanese Constitution in the years that followed. 

General Douglass MacArthur incorporated the consequential Article 9, which stated that Japan could not settle international disputes through violent means such as war and ensured that any domestic force would be strictly under civilian control. These restrictions mean that Japan officially does not have an army, but a “Self-Defense Force,” (SDF) which could be considered an army in all but name. The primary purpose of the SDF is stated within its name: to allow Japan to defend itself. As such, it lacks many aspects that a standard military would have and is largely focused on humanitarian response such as assisting in the cleanup of the Fukushima Nuclear disaster in 2011. The SDF’s humanitarian efforts in Japan have gained the support of the public, which was initially hostile.

Public opinion of the SDF has changed over time and still varies today. However, modern Japan is not the same Japan that went to war 80 years ago.  Many citizens believe it is time for the Japanese government to amend its constitution and take another step toward military independence in some capacity. Constitutional reform would benefit both Japan and the United States, allowing the East Asian country to defend its interests in the region while also reducing expensive American commitments. 

Although the Japanese public initially feared that the creation of a stronger military force would remind the world of the lasting effects of World War II, it is clear that the territorial disputes between China and South Korea have caused public support for the SDF to increase. With conflict much closer to their shores, the Japanese people’s concern rose and is likely to rise further with the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. 

Support for expanding the SDF comes from conservative Japanese citizens who are angry at having a constitution written by a foreign government. In light of the heated debates about the Japanese constitution, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made it clear that he wanted to amend Article 9 to cement the SDF in the constitution. Although cementing the SDF in the Japanese constitution is not the same as expanding the Japanese army, it would set the precedent to allow potential military expansion in the future. A change to the constitution would allow a potentially greater military force, especially in light of the growing economy of neighboring China and the Russia-Ukraine Conflict. Abe argued that the “SDF is already so active that a constitutional amendment wouldn’t really change anything.” While an amendment would not bring about an immediate transformation, it would set a precedent allowing Japan to take steps toward military independence. 

Currently, the Japanese would still be heavily reliant on their allies to defend them, should another country set its sights on Japan. If Japan is attacked by another nation, the United States would be responsible for defending them militarily. If the United States does not defend Japan they are essentially giving up peace and stability in the East Asian region, especially with unstable relations with China and North Korea. In addition, Japan does not have nuclear capabilities and is thus dependent on U.S. nuclear deterrence. The current structure of the SDF relies heavily on stronger neighbors such as the United States to protect them from international threats. 

United States aid to Japan is also called into question. According to statements made by former President Trump, “if someone attacks Japan, we go after them and we are in a battle, full force, in effect.” He also points out the one-sidedness of this arrangement, adding,  “If somebody should attack the United States, they don’t have to do that. That’s unfair.” Should the United States choose to withdraw its military support before Japan has amended its constitution and is prepared to more adequately defend itself, they leave the country vulnerable to international threats. United States is spread thin throughout the world and if the Japanese were to become self-sufficient, it would be a key ally in the East without the United States having to sacrifice military forces elsewhere in the world. 

A militarily independent Japan would be beneficial to the United States. This way, the United States would not have to spread its forces even thinner than what they already are. Thanks to U.S. involvement in the political unrest in the Middle East, their navy is split between East Asia, the Indian Ocean, and the Persian Gulf. The formation of a more powerful SDF would allow them to take over many of the tasks that the U.S. military regularly performs. The Japanese should be relied upon to defend themselves and by defending their interests, they will also defend the United States’ interests in East Asia. Although Japanese and United States military interests are not identical, their close alignment with the United States and NATO indicates similar goals. Despite the Japanese moving for increased military independence, it is still in Japan’s best interests to cooperate with the United States. The Japanese and the United States are both concerned over military power, especially with China, Russia, and the United States locked in an arms race to produce hypersonic missiles, which will be extremely difficult to block with conventional interceptor missiles. The Japanese technology would aid the United States in the defense of both countries.

Eighty years ago, the threat of a Japanese army would have been a threat to the United States, but, now the Japanese are an essential part of global defense and collective security. Japan is a key ally of the United States and if they were to withdraw military support, it would show trust between the two nations has developed after the fallout of the Second World War. 

The Japanese Security Defense Force is an army in all but name. If the Japanese government were to amend its constitution, it would not only become more independent of the United States, but a more important ally as its military resources would bolster the United States instead of drain them from where they are needed.