The past and present of the Japan Self-Defense Forces: Their role in state, society and in the international arena

The article is dedicated to the comprehensive analysis of the role of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) in Japanese state and society. The authors trace the transformation of legal status and security posture of the self-defense forces throughout the entire post-war period of their existence, since their establishment under the Occupation regime till current administration of Shinzo Abe, evaluate the role of present-day JSDF in the political system, economy, and society, as well as pay particular attention to the prospects of Japan obtaining nuclear weapons. Despite the remaining substantial limitations on the exercise of military force as a foreign policy tool due the “peaceful” Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan and in spite of the limited-to-non-existent presence of JSDF on the international arena, in terms of capabilities the JSDF are compatible with or even surpassing other militaries. Besides that, despite the pacifist identity, widespread in Japan, there is a de-facto consensus in society concerning the significance and importance of the JSDF for the nation. The forces’ active participation in non-military activities, such as disaster relief, contributes considerably to this attitude. Based on this, the article formulates possible scenarios of future development of the JSDF, from the conservative one, according to which the present developments in the field of security policy will not lead to a qualitative change in the mission of the JSDF, which is currently geared mostly towards the defense of Japan itself, and also quite limited international cooperation, to a bolder one, according to which the said developments will, in the mid- and long-term perspective, lead to the qualitative change of Japan’s role in the international arena and transform it into a “normal state”, able and ready to use its armed forces not only for individual, but also for collective self-defense and eventually for a wider range of military operations.

Japan Self-Defense Forces, armed forces, Article 9, armed forces and society, armed forces and economy, military policy, security policy, nuclear weapons, Japan, 9 статья

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