The Japanese Military - Discuss?

Question

I am looking for comments, especially from the Japanese, about their military, as I feel that Japan could be a major force in the UN and in maintaining stability in the Pacific. As an ex serviceman (Royal Navy), I admire the Japanese Forces. World War 2 is now sixty years ago, and the excesses of all sides should be consigned to the history books. One question I do ask, is, have the Japanese raised any memorial to Rear Admiral Raizo Tanaka, of the famed "Tokyo Express" (Us matelots know and salute good matelots from the other side). If not, they should do so. He was a brilliant Admiral, and tactitian.

Answer 1

I agree foghorn. Ive been on excercises with the JDF (Japanese Defense Forces) Unfortunately their constitution keeps there military in a defensive posture by limiting the total number of personnel and equipment. I think they are a very motivated and proffessional force and yes your absolutely right again that they would be a stabilizing force in the pacific if it was allowed to grow. The mentality of Japan and its soldiers is gone in this day and age, what happened before could never happen again. japan is no longer a closed society as it was prior to WWII. I personaly think its time for them to up the ante and build there military forces to balance power in asia.

Answer 2

Many Japanese are philosophically against war. They claim proudly to be a nation of pacifists. I think most other cultures would have a difficult time understanding the great pain and humiliation that WWII caused Japan. They are a different people as a result. In most UN engagements the Japanese troops take on logistics and operational non-combat roles, by choice and design.

There is, of course, nothing technically wrong with the Japanese capacity to wage war, if they desired to do so. They are a leading industrialized nation, and their knowledge of robotics is second to none.

I think the Japanese are very noble both for their constitutional dedication to peace and their ongoing support for the UN. As an American, I sleep better at night knowing they are friends and allies.

Answer 3

If I remember correctly (and I'm not an expert), the country is limited in what it can do with it's military and even its existance by their post-WWII constitution. That might be a major reason.

I'm wondering if the current developments in N. Korea, though, might make some wonder if lifting those restrictions on what is now an ally (and a powerful one) might be a good idea.

Answer 4

The reasons for their inability to join in operations is due to the WWII settlement.

I don't question their ability, but as to them bring a stabilising influence on the region, don't think so it's wide of the mark.

The war crimes they committed in Korea China Singapore etc are still very raw. I think Europeans don't understand this.

The only parallel I could give you is that German and Austrian troops are responsible for stabilising Israel.... again unlikely.

Answer 5

I am Japanese, born and raised; also an American combat vet, strange enough. I've worked with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces on many an occasion and count close friends amongst their number. My response is as follows:

(1) Until every living human being witness to Japanese atrocities has passed on, Japan will never be forgiven. Until the Japanese government stops whitewashing its history in neutered textbooks and blindsides its citizens to the concerns and memories of those who fell victim to its wartime actions, Japan will never be forgiven. As far as the Asian landmass is concerned, to remilitarize Japan now is like freeing a criminal from Death Row after a few months in incarceration.

(2) These excesses were the result of bad elements of the Japanese Imperial Army - the Imperial Navy served admirably, honorably, and entirely free of the sort of taint associated with, say, the Kwantung Army or Unit 731. Japan has to own up to its history in a way that Germany and South Africa have amply demonstrated is capable even from those nation-states that have engaged in atrocities beyond simple comprehension. Japan has failed to do so.

(3) Until this is done, the Japanese people are not ready to deal with remilitarization. The sort of internal turmoil this would create amongst the leftist academic world and the primarily rightist political elements would tear Japan apart. The Japan-US Security Treaty exists more to keep Japan from having to face this reckoning than it gives the Americans a strategic foothold in Asia.

(4) The emergence of the Communist threat in Asia (The Korean War, for instance) drove SCAP to free war criminals and enlist guilty parties such as crime syndicates in an effort to destroy Communism in Japan. Success came at a price; the political world is run by the scions of war criminals and war profiteers, as well as the corporate sector. Until Japan deals with the legacy left by these men, remilitarization puts military might back at the control of the same sort of men who initiated the Marco Polo Bridge Incident and Pearl Harbor.

(5) To the best of my knowledge, no memorial to any serving Japanese General or Flag Officer has ever been erected, or will ever be erected due to politcal concerns over propriety. Visits to Yasukuni Shrine alone draw enough flak and abuse.

(6) Japan has already chosen diplomacy and the use of its financial clout in an effort to influence events through the United Nations. ODA is Japan's tool of choice, and is a brisk alternative to the use of force demonstrated by the NATO member states. Having an ally such as Japan in many ways permits the United States to influence events without having to resort to military might.

While the DPRK and PRC remain serious threats, remilitarizing Japan in the face of all these difficult and unsolved issues is grossly irresponsible. Joseph Nye has amply discussed the virtues of "soft" power vis-a-vis "hard" power. There are means for Japan to be a force without using force, and they are already in place today.

Answer 6

First of all. I really appreciate you know the Tanaka's name.
I am surprised when I saw your posting actually.
But in Japan history, he is one of the long lines of the great military personnels.
There are many great military personnels in the history.

Answer 7

bit long winded, and don't you think that it is a bit deep for yahoo answers