What's the deal with Japan's military?

Question

I know they have one, but how big? They just brought there troops out of Iraq so they wouldn't have to fight. They also are sending troops to Taiwan. Japan is on America's side now, but is Japan's military big or advanced enough to scare anyone?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13428227/
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/GA13Dh01.html

Answer 1

For one thing, you have to understand that Japan's troops were not in Iraq to provide combat support. They were there to help rebuild and repair the infrastructure. The portion they set out to help with was completed, and so was their mission. Hence, the reason for their pullout.

They have a "pacifist" charter in their constitution that a lot of Japanese feel strongly about. No one there wants anyone in power that will repeat the attrocities of war that Emperor Hirohito did in WWII. With that said, they still have the capabilities to defend their nation well, especially with the U.S. pretty much at their side.

Answer 2

After world war two the Americans drafted a new consitution for Japan which banned her from having any military forces except for domestic self defence.

Thats why the Japanese soldiers in Iraq were engaged in civil regeneration work only and were protected by British and Australian troops.

Answer 3

Japan doesn't really have a "military" force exactly. They have something called the Japanese Self-Defense-Forces (ever since the end of WWII). Their total numbers are about 230,000 (about 10% the size of America's active duty forces).

Answer 4

we are AMERICANS in the US we are in the best hands