The Japanese constitution has forbidden Japan from forming a traditional military force. Because of this, Japan has only maintained a force to protect the Japanese mainland, the SDF, also known as the Self Defense Force. Yet, this force has worked in support of the United States in Japan in exchange for the promise of protection, performing a paramilitary, logistical role. This dynamic has shifted in the last decade as arguments for militarization begin to surface.
When Japan's constitution was written in 1947, Japan was under the auspices of American forces that had been deployed to occupy and rebuild Japan after World War II. Reflective of the ideas instilled in America, the constitution imposed peace and democracy. Specifically, Article 9 of the constitution forbade Japan from maintaining a military force or using force internationally, no matter the reason.
The constitution only permitted a narrow self-defense operation. This operation, founded in 1954, was the SDF.
Following the event of 9/11, the SDF was deployed overseas for the first time, to Afghanistan and Iraq. Although the purpose of this was solely support-based, it has still caused a change in attitude. Many also question if this act challenges the constitution.
During the mid 2000's, Japan was pressured by the United States (and also domestically) to make changes and expand its military operations. There was also added pressure regarding the feared threats from North Korea and China.
In 2006, Japan's SDF had more than 240,000 personnel. In accordance with the 1954 law establishing the SDF, these personnel were all technically civilians.
By 2020, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe aims to revise the constitution in order to lessen the limitations regarding Japan's potential actions to these posing threats.
See military efforts and spending to learn more about Japan's military.
When Japan's constitution was written in 1947, Japan was under the auspices of American forces that had been deployed to occupy and rebuild Japan after World War II. Reflective of the ideas instilled in America, the constitution imposed peace and democracy. Specifically, Article 9 of the constitution forbade Japan from maintaining a military force or using force internationally, no matter the reason.
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| John Dower (seen above), author of a Pulitzer Prize-winning book on post-war Japan argues that the fatigue and disillusionment with wartime nationalism that Japan felt proceeding the war made Japan willing to accept the American ideologies reflective in their constitution. |
Following the event of 9/11, the SDF was deployed overseas for the first time, to Afghanistan and Iraq. Although the purpose of this was solely support-based, it has still caused a change in attitude. Many also question if this act challenges the constitution.
During the mid 2000's, Japan was pressured by the United States (and also domestically) to make changes and expand its military operations. There was also added pressure regarding the feared threats from North Korea and China.
In 2006, Japan's SDF had more than 240,000 personnel. In accordance with the 1954 law establishing the SDF, these personnel were all technically civilians.
By 2020, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe aims to revise the constitution in order to lessen the limitations regarding Japan's potential actions to these posing threats.
See military efforts and spending to learn more about Japan's military.
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