Retaining The Japanese/American Security Alliance
CSC 1992
SUBJECT AREA National Security
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Title: Retaining the Japanese/American Security Alliance:
Author: Lieutenant Commander T.W. Roberts, US Navy
Thesis: For over forty years the United States has had a strong
military presence in Japan to promote US vital interests and to
ensure regional stability and security, but in view of current
Japanese and US economic and political changes, American
military presence in Japan is under great scrutiny and will
either be reduced, reorganized or cease to exist.
Background: The United States is under increasing political
pressure to remove all Japan based military forces in order to
save money and focus on domestic issues. In opposition, are
those who see a broader perspective, where forward basing in
Japan is just a part of a very complex economic, political and
security relationship which is critical and mutually beneficial
to both the United States and Japan. Japan gains monetarily,
politically and regionally from the alliance. The US is able
to obtain strategic, political and economic advantages. Before
any drastic alliance changes are made, both countries' policy
makers must have a real appreciation of the history, domestic
concerns, regional implications and security issues faced by
the US and Japan.
Recommendation: In light of "the new world era," changes and
restructuring of the US - Japanese security relationship can
and should be made, resulting in a trim tailored US force
remaining in Japan. But all proposals to retain US forces in
Japan will fail unless Japan and the US publicize and promote,
on their respective home fronts, this mutually beneficial
alliance, which is no longer based on a post-conquest
relationship, but a complementary alliance founded on an
equitable sharing of military cost burdens and
responsibilities.
RETAINING THE JAPANESE / AMERICAN SECURITY ALLIANCE
OUTLINE
Thesis: For over forty years the United States has had a
strong military presence in Japan to promote US vital
interests and to ensure regional stability and security, but
in view of current Japanese and US economic and political
changes, American military presence in Japan is under great
scrutiny and will either be reduced, reorganized or cease to exist.
I. Opposing American positions
A. Neo-isolationist
B. Neo-internationalist
II. Japanese perspective
A. History
B. JSDF structure and role
C. Political limitations
III. American perspective
A. Strategic advantages
B. Political benefits
IV. Solutions
A. Force restructuring
B. Japanese advantages
C. Mutual action
RETAINING THE JAPANESE / AMERICAN SECURITY ALLIANCE
Since the end of World War II, the US military has had a
permanent presence in Japan, first as an occupation and
democratization force, then as a protector, and now as an
ally. But "a new world order" is being established from the
ashes of the Cold War and the United States is debating its
future policy objectives in both Asia and Europe. Within this
context, should US military forces remain in Japan? And if so
how will they be structured and what role will they play in the
future?
During the last half of this century, Japan and the United
States have forged an alliance to ensure that Japan was and is
well-defended, while not presenting a threatening appearance to
its Asian neighbors. Initially, the United States military
forces alone protected Japan's security interests. In time the
Japanese Self Defense Force (JSDF) became a capable and viable
defensive military establishment, with US forces in Japan
focused on offensive operations and American power projection
issues. But now, in view of the enormous American trade
inbalance with Japan, an manageable domestic budget deficit,
and a splintered Soviet/Russian threat, the US military role in
Japan is being called into question by the American people.
In reaction to current East West events, two major
opposing US foreign policy platforms are being discussed and
promoted as military budgets are slashed and new military
strategies formed. First, we are seeing a return to US
traditional foreign policy roots by "neo-isolationists," who
are primarily concerned with the myriad of American domestic
problems from the drug war, to the stagnant economy, to the
downward trend in education. It is this faction's contention
that the US has been the world and specifically the Far East
arbitrator and "problem solver" for long enough and simply does
not have the economic resources nor the political motivation to
continue daily direct involvement in Asian security.
Gone are the times when Japan was an exclusively American
fiefdom ruled by a benevolent proconsul, General Douglas
MacArthur, bent on saving Japan from Communism. In fact, as a
result of the Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement between the
United States of America and Japan of 1954, "Japan. . .has been
able to concentrate on economic development while enjoying the
advantages of United States political, diplomatic and military
support." (9: 149)
It is therefore time that American military men and women
deployed to Japan be brought home. After all, the Japanese are
out producing the US economically in many areas and our trade
deficit with them remains over 40 billion dollars a year. In
short, Japan can defend itself against a "reduced threat" and
US defense money saved can be used to offset the ever growing
US debt.
In opposition, is the "neo-internationalists"' position.
"Neo" because of the recent drastic changes in the world, but
"internationalist" because this group still sees the US playing
a modified but critical role in promoting US interests,
stability, and security concerns in selected areas in Asia. As
noted by ADM Crowe, "the United States is viewed in Asia as the
only nation that can be the key balancing or stabilizing force
in the region." (4: 124) Unless the United States is willing
to retreat to its pre-World War II economic, political and
military status, Americans must remain involved in
international issues, problems and crises.
In spite of US growing domestic deficits and overseas
trade imbalances, Americans still enjoy one of the highest
standards of living in the world, resulting primarily from a
strong and varied economy; a capable, worldwide military
presence; and an influential political element. If Americans
wish to retain this comfortable life-style, then the US must
not become focused solely on domestic issues at the expense of
international relationships, investments and obligations.
Unlike the past, today all issues, geopolitical, economic and
military, are interrelated and interdependent. Our geography
no longer "isolates" nor insulates the United States.
While much has changed in Eastern Europe, changes in the
Far East have been less dramatic, with many areas of concern
remaining. "Traditional rivalries among the nations of the
region may have been muted, but they have not disappeared."
(4: 124) Russian relations with China, Japan, North Korea and
South Korea are in limbo until its domestic and government
issues are resolved. North and South Korea remain volcanic
hotspots. China is a huge military and potential economic
power that continues to send mixed political signals. The
Philippines' instability and alienation from the US continues
amongst national disasters. While relations between two
countries are never problem free, since World War II Japan has
remained ironically the strong point for the United States in
Asia.
And there are innumerable reasons why Americans should
remain interested and involved in the Western Pacific:
US economy - almost 33% of US trade exports and 40% of US
imports go to and come from Asia, outpacing US trade with
Europe.
Regional stability - US acts as a check and balance ". . .
in the area of the world's fastest economic growth,
(where) defence spending is about to take off."
(1: 35)
US vital interests - the Pacific and Indian Ocean remain
the gateways to the Persian Gulf, through which 17% of the
world's oil passes. (3: 40)
Strategic significance - "US bases in Japan are critical
to providing strategic depth for the defense of South
Korea and for conducting US (military operations)
throughout the Pacific." (3: 38) Without this forward
basing, ". . .the US would not be a 'super-power' in terms
of war fighting capability in Korea or Southeast Asia
unless it had six months to a year of unchallenged
buildup time in a friendly state." (3: 37)
Even though the above "internationalist" arguments are quite
convincing, the pull of focusing on domestic issues alone is
very strong when so many critical problems exist. Many
Americans are simply not familiar with the complicated history
and ever changing dynamics of the US - Japan military alliance.
Since the end of World War II, the
US - Japan security relationship has endured as the dominant
factor in Japanese defense policy. Under this arrangement,
Japan provides forces for its immediate defense and permits the
United States to maintain troops in Japan to provide for
regional security." (5: vii)
Initially Japan totally depended on the United States to
finance, execute and protect Japan's security interests. As
part of the security package in 1951, the original Treaty of
Peace and Security was signed by the United States and Japan,
which granted the United States "the right to station troops in
Japan." (10: 7)
Today's Japanese military and security arrangements are
the direct consequence of the military excesses of World War
II, which have left an indelible mark on Japan's political
process and structure. "Japan is prohibited by the Peace
Constitution from maintaining armed forces and from dispatching
Japanese overseas." (5: vii) The way in which Japan has been
able to get around this constitutional prohibition, is to
establish the Japanese Self Defense Force (JSDF). The creation
of this military force, originally the National Police Reserve
(NPR), was encouraged by the United States at the onset of the
Korean War in 1950 when American troops stationed in Japan were
being sent to the war front. Since that time, JSDF has grown
into a capable tri-service military, focused on a defensive
warfare strategy, with US military forces stationed in Japan
assuming the offensive missions central to Japan's security.
In addition, under Japan's Constitution strict civilian
control is maintained over every aspect of the Japanese
military. Because of the extreme and horrifying results of
military control over government in World War II, Senior
military officers are not involved in any way in the government
policy making process, either as a cabinet or security council
(National Defense Council) member. The senior military
officer, the Chairman of the Joint Staff Council (JSC), can not
report directly to the Prime Minister or Emperor. Nor can a
military representative testify before the Diet or speak before
the political policy committees. All the restraints discussed
above have hampered the JSDF and in various ways and have
limited its capability. "However, the most important
ramification of the postwar alteration of the Japanese
political structure is the lack of military influences over
policy." (5: 14)
As a result of the countless restrictions, it has been
extremely difficult for the Japanese government to expand or
alter its military and its security alliances in any way. In
fact, "Japan is prohibited by the Peace Constitution from
maintaining offensive armed forces and from dispatching
Japanese overseas." (5: vii) The Japanese people are
understandably reticent to change this policy, based on their
World War II nightmare. So Japan has been able to gain great
political and practical advantage from having American military
forces stationed in country.
Military burden or cost sharing between the United States
and Japan has also been complicated. Each new agreement
through the years has stipulated which country will pay for
what. Each time Japan has been given a greater role in cost
sharing. As the Japanese monetary role grows, political costs
rise as well. With each reiteration, the issue of Japan's
military budget growth becomes more politically sensitive and
difficult to promote in Japan, partially as a result of the
lack of military interaction with policy makers.
Originally, in the Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement of
1954,
it was stipulated that the United States of America . . . would
maintain certain of its armed forces in and about Japan as a
provisional arrangement in the expectation that Japan will
itself increasingly assume responsibility for its own defense
against direct and indirect aggression . . .contribute(ing) only
to the extent permitted by its general economic condition and
capacities. (8: 662)
Certainly Japan's economic condition has changed drastically
since that time. As a result, for many years, Japan has made a
large investment in its own Self Defense Forces and has made
significant contributions in support of US military bases in
Japan. In fact, "Tokyo's military budget is already, in
absolute financial terms, the third largest in the world."
(4: 135)
The Japan - US alliance is not a trouble free one for the
Japanese government. Even though US military bases in Japan
are generally supported and accepted by the Japanese government
and people, there are pockets of "antimilitary radicals and
local residents concerned about anti-imperialism, public safety
and environmental issues." (5: 18) Many of these radical
groups feel that the Japanese government should disband any and
all of its own military forces and should compel all American
forces to leave. These Japanese groups bring their issues into
the public arena on a regular basis through demonstrations,
base incursions and even terrorist style violence. Obviously,
the US - Japan alliance from the Japanese perspective is
worthwhile, but it is not easy to foster and maintain.
But how can the continued basing of forces to Japan
contribute to the United States military strategies of the
future? First is time. As we have seen with the Persian Gulf
crisis, naval ships can arrive 2-3 weeks earlier in the Middle
East than forces stationed on the East or West coast of the US
In a crisis, every day can make a difference. The primary
military reason for deploying forces forward is to reduce the
time required to respond to enemy actions.
Second is environment. Nothing can duplicate training,
operating and maintaining in the ocean, climate and airspace in
which we may fight. Having forces in place should increase
their readiness for employment and facilitate their training in
a realistic environment. Further, the availability of in-place
maintenance facilities and logistics depots can be of
inestimable value. Third is regular interoperability with
American Allies in the Far East. Wars of the future will be
fought primarily by coalitions as was seen in World War II,
Korea and the Persian Gulf.
In order to be prepared to wage war as a team, countries
must practice and train as one, developing common means of
communication, sharing intelligence and conducting
complementary operations. Policy makers must also remember
that "With respect to basing arrangements in particular, it is
only realistic to recognize that what America takes out, it
will not be able to put back, except possibly in times of
crisis." (4: 131)
From the US perspective, to turn back in time to the
foreign policy flavor of the 1920's and 1930's would be to
repeat the same mistakes America Firsters' made at that time,
only worse. Today's world is less forgiving and the economic
and political stakes are higher. While it is tempting to
concentrate on the US economy at the expense of a working
military cooperation with Japan, chances are the economic
issues are part and parcel of a strong military alliance.
In light of all this, it is obvious that the health of the
relationship between Japan and America depends primarily
on the successful management of economic competition and
on finding a formula for burden sharing in security
matters that has the support of both the Japanese and the
American people." (9: 150)
"Neo-isolationists" must broaden their perspective and see
the interdependence which exists between the US and Japan. US
withdrawal from Japan is a short term defense budget cut, but a
long term loss across the board. US military forces should
remain in Japan as a part of an overall American political,
economic and military strategy for its future security and
success. However, change's, reductions and restructuring will
have to be made in the American forward basing posture in Japan
due to US economic realities. "A restructured but assured
presence in Asia and the Pacific, undergirded by a stronger
financial and economic base, will serve everyone well for many
years to come." (4: 140)
But before any reductions are made, it is critical that
the US government keep in mind that,
Only six percent of US forces are forward deployed in
the Asian-Pacific theater, and only 16 percent are
"dedicated" to the region. Given the space they are
responsible for, they should not be proportionately
reduced along with other cuts around the world. Indeed,
with the political evolution in Europe, there is no need
for such proportionality. (4: 131)
While some limited US military reductions and
consolidations can be done, current US force structure is not
extensive.
From a naval standpoint, the retention of a permanently
deployed CVBG is paramount. Vokosuka, with its developed
facilities and location next to the Commander-in-Chief
JSDF Fleet remains an ideal homeport. U.S. amphibious
forces located in Okinawa positions them forward to
better respond to breaking crises throughout South Asia.
Deployment of U.S. VP aircraft to bases in Japan fosters
close interaction between the services and should
continue. US squadrons (could) be co-located with
counterpart JMSDF squadrons to enhance interoperability
and facilitate joint operations. (19: 2)
Whatever choices are made, restructuring of US forces should be
measured against mutual benefits and costs and not carried out
by blindly slashing of programs and bases which have taken
decades to build and cannot be replaced. As the US system
would have it, the force reduction or withdrawal decisions will
be made by policy makers or budgeteers unfamiliar with the
Japanese - American security goals. Already substantial force
reductions are haphazardly taking place, with no overall design
in mind for future capabilities or contingencies.
Throughout the reduction and restructuring process, both
nations must remember that the US and Japanese security
alliance is a mutually beneficial relationship. For the United
States, forward basing in Japan means that American forces can
operate and train in vital areas of interest throughout the
Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and even the Persian Gulf. In
addition, the United States can monitor military activity and
be ready to provide support to Americans in such areas as South
Korea, Peoples Republic of China, Philippines and Sri Lanka.
The U.S. is also interested in maintaining stability in
NorthWest Asia, which would feel threatened by an offensively
armed and unchecked Japan. With current cost sharing
arrangements,
It is actually cheaper to homeport a US Naval Battle
Group in Japan than it is in the U.S. With the closure of
U.S. bases in the Philippines, it provides shipyard
services and a forward staging area for our forces. It
promotes interaction on all aspects of military from
procedures to hardware procurement. This gains
importance as U.S. defense expenditures decrease, forces
are reduced and more reliance is placed on our allies.
It assists the U.S. in exercising influence on Japanese
foreign policy. It symbolizes the continuing close
relationship between the two countries and seems to
weather strained relations in other areas. (19: 3)
Japan benefits from the US military presence in several
ways. Monetarily, Japan apportions only one percent of its GNP
to defense, as opposed to the United States' seven percent. As
a direct result of US forces stationed in Japan, huge cost
savings are realized by the Japanese people who can then
maintain a significantly reduced standing military. The
American military presence is a force multiplier with fewer
political costs and sensitivities than a strong and independent
Japanese military.
There are also political advantages for the Japanese
government, who can maintain a lower domestic defense budget
and regional military profile while retaining substantial
advantages under the American nuclear umbrella. The fact is
". . .no nation in Asia will welcome Japanese forces of any kind
unless it is clear that a US-Japanese partnership ensures that
Japan will not dominate the region." (3: 38) "US-Japan
security ties add credibility, particularly in the eyes of
Asian countries, to Japan's policy of not becoming a big
military power." (12: 33)
Critical to any progress is that both countries realize
and focus on the long-term advantages of their alliance, as
opposed to the short-term domestic political boost that would
result from the dissolution of their security relationship.
Only then can Japan and the United States continue to dedicate
their respective militaries to the integration and
interoperability of their forces across the spectrum.
Interoperability programs have been successfully
established in several areas to include, Air Defense, Submarine
and Anti-submarine Warfare and Combat Air Patrol. Many formal
and informal information exchange programs have been
established where both sides share methodologies, technologies
and tactics. But these interoperability programs and
information exchange's must be broadened to include every aspect
of their combined operational forces. Such interoperability
will act as a force multiplier to both Japan and the United
States, allowing each to protect its respective vital interests
at a lower political, economic and military cost.
Actually, the monetary costs to the US drop daily. No
longer does the US bear the brunt of the military burden.
Since January 14, 1991, when Japan and the United States
signed the new host nation support agreement, Japan assumed
100% of all Japanese utility and labor costs incurred by
US forces in Japan. Under the new agreement, Japan's
burden-sharing expenditures will rise to around $4.7
billion. This will be about 73% of all costs for keeping
US forces in Japan, and will make it much cheaper to keep
US forces in Japan than to bring them home. (3: 38)
As long as Japan continues to assume a majority of the
financial burden, the United States can afford to retain select
forward deployed forces in Japan. The United States will
continue to pay for the military hardware, maintenance and
personnel costs, which are expenses the US would incur whether
the forces are stationed stateside or overseas.
A tailored, but strong US military presence in Japan does
not only affect the US and Japan, it greatly influences the
Asian region as a whole. Need we forget that most ASEAN
leaders want the US to remain a central security minder for the
region and are wary of jettisoning existing military
co-operation ties. (11: 15) In addition,
Japan's history of conquest and brutal rule in Northeast
Asia has left an indelible mark on both China and Korea:
that of mistrust. China's fanatic and undying Communist
ideology and political structure has looming negative
implications. And South Korea's continued separation
from and tension with North Korea dictates an uncertain
future. (2: 31)
This region is also seething with military might.
Excluding the US and Russia, ". . .of the world's eight largest
military powers, five are in the Asia Pacific area - China,
North and South Korea, Japan and India." (15: 31) And few
nations in the Orient feel secure in the post Cold War era,
instead the new climate is filled with political, economic and
security unknowns. As a result, ". . .members of ASEAN show
defense budget increases during the past three years ranging
from 8% in Malaysia to perhaps 40% in Singapore. (16: 30)
While some are apprehensive of US involvement, most countries
in the region see a continued US military presence as the key
element which can prevent a dangerous turn in the current arms
race amongst Asian nations. (12: 33)
And a stable thriving Orient not only benefits that
region, it is greatly advantageous to the US economy as well.
To be sure, there are vital domestic concerns that must be
addressed to make the US competitive in (the
international) marketplace. However, to achieve the
necessary growth in our economy means expansion of our
share of international trade (export's vice imports), a
goal that will not be met without a combination of
military presence to ensure regional stability and
vigorous diplomacy to open those markets to US industry.
(14: 7-8)
But all of these proposals are merely stardust unless
Japan and the US publicize and promote, on their respective
home fronts, this mutually beneficial alliance, which is no
longer based on a post-conquest relationship, but a
complementary alliance founded on an equitable sharing of
military cost burdens and responsibilities. Unfortunately,
political motives and domestic concerns on each side jeopardize
the alliance. Perhaps if the monetary, military and political
realities were made public - the public would support the
continuance of this security relationship and retain in office
the politicians who are working to preserve it.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Written Interviews February 1992:
17. Commander/JMSDF - Inoue, Yoshinori. Intelligence Officer
for Airwing and Subron.
18. Captain/US Navy - Intelligence Officer CINCPACFLT.
19. Captain/US Navy - Commanding Officer Pacific Region Intel-
igence Center.
20. Captain/US Navy - Intelligence Officer CINCPACFLT.
21. Captain/US Navy - Former Commodore of U.S. Naval Airwing
in Japan.
22. Captain/US Navy - Former Commodore of U.S. Naval Airwing
in Japan.
23. Captain/US Navy - Former Intelligence Officer for
COMSEVENTHFLT.
24. Colonel/US Marine Corps - Former USMC 4th Marines
Regimental Commander and G-3 for III MEF, Okinawa, Japan.
25. Colonel/US Marine Corps - Commanding Officer MWSS
Okinawa, Japan.
26. Colonel/US Marine Corps - Chief of Staff/ Operations Officer
4th MEB.
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