DATE=3/1/2000
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=JAPAN-DEFENSE
NUMBER=5-45554
BYLINE=LETA HONG FINCHER
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Japan's military plans to play an increasingly
important role in maintaining security in Asia and the
world over the coming years, according to the Japanese
defense attache to the United States. V-O-A's Leta
Hong Fincher has this report from Washington.
TEXT: Major General Noboru Yamaguchi says the
Japanese military is likely to play a more active role
in keeping the global peace in the future. He says
the Japanese are peace-loving, but they're becoming
more pragmatic about the threats posed by rogue
nations in Asia such as North Korea.
Speaking at a conference Tuesday about Japan's
security role in the 21st Century ( at Johns Hopkins'
School of Advanced International Studies), General
Yamaguchi said his countrymen are willing to see their
military participate in more international
peacekeeping missions.
/// FIRST YAMAGUCHI ACT ///
In the post-Cold War period, every country is
expected to make some contribution to the
international community in response to what such
country has gained. As a nation, Japanese now
have become more accepting towards its military
contributing to international affairs.
/// END ACT ///
Japan has one of the best military forces in Asia, but
it is restricted by its constitution to self-defense
only. After Japan's defeat by the United States in the
second World War, it adopted a pacifist Constitution
that was largely written by U-S General Douglas
MacArthur and his forces. That constitution was
designed to prevent Japan from ever emerging as a
military aggressor again, by outlawing war and the use
of force as a means to settle international disputes.
But in recent weeks, the Japanese parliament, or Diet,
has begun to discuss possible changes to the
constitution to allow greater flexibility in the use
of the military. Richard Cronin, a specialist in
Asian affairs with the Congressional Research Service,
says the mere fact that Japanese politicians are
talking about changes to their constitution is
significant.
/// CRONIN ACT ///
The changes basically have to do with the
question of whether Japan can participate in
collective security endeavors. Right now Japan
is in a bilateral security alliance with the
United States but it's one that basically
involves the United States providing security to
Japan in return for facilities that it uses in
Japan, but doesn't require Japan to come to the
aid of the United States in a conflict.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Cronin notes that Japan's current constitution
prevents it from forming defense alliances with
countries other than the United States. But if the
constitution were changed, Japan could engage in
collective security alliances for North East Asia
along the lines of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization in Europe.
Michael Green, an Asian security specialist at the
Council on Foreign Relations, says both the ruling
Liberal Democratic Party and the opposition party now
want Japan to play a more independent and active
security role.
/// GREEN ACT ///
What's striking is that particularly younger
politicians, which in Japan means under 50, are
very eager to demonstrate Japan's readiness to
take on more of a security burden. On the
constitutional question, 90 percent of
politicians under 50 want to change the
constitution. So generational change is moving
things forward.
/// END ACT ///
Michael Green of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Most observers agree there's still a deep-seated
anxiety in Japan about not moving too quickly to
expand its military role. The defense attache in
Washington, General Yamaguchi, says it's a sign of
greater openness that the public is discussing
possible constitutional changes.
/// SECOND YAMAGUCHI ACT ///
The recent development in the Japanese public is
rather healthy. The change of constitution,
even thinking about changing the constitution,
used to be kind of taboo. But now, according to
newspapers, I found there are serious and
constructive discussions on the constitution.
/// END ACT ///
General Yamaguchi predicts a steady increase in
Japanese defense spending over the next four to five
years. That would please Washington, which wants Tokyo
to bear a larger share of the cost of U-S forces
stationed in Japan. (Signed)
NEB/LHF/TVM/gm
01-Mar-2000 19:12 PM EDT (02-Mar-2000 0012 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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