Is Japan’s Defense Posture Adequate?

Abstract

The Japanese National Defense Study Group has published two reports on Japan's defense, in 1976 and 1977, both under the leadership of Dr. Tsunoda Jun. The 1976 report dealt with basic principles, and the 1977 report with the application of those principles to Japan's present and future defense posture. The 1977 report emphasizes that the major threat to Japan's security comes from the Soviet Union, and discusses the pros and cons of various measures for dealing with this threat. The key to Japan's defense still remains the US-Japan security treaty, but changes in America's military posture present Japan with new problems, challenges, and alternative solutions. The report makes a cogent argument for improving Japan's defense both qualitatively and quantitatively. The reports are not official publications of the Japanese Defense Agency, although they do express the views of prominent former members of the Self-Defense Forces. At present, the membership of the Study Group consists of Hasegawa Saiji, President, Naigai News Company; Kitamura Kenichi, former Commander-in-Chief, Maritime SelfDefense Fleet; Muta Hirokuni, former Chairman, Joint Staff Council; Nakamura Ryuhei, former Chairman, Joint Defense Council; Nishimura Tomoharu, former Chief of Operations, Maritime Self-Defense Force; Shirakawa Motoharu, former Chairman, Joint Staff Council; Sugita Kazutsugu, former Chief of Staff, Ground Self-Defense Force; and Dr. Tsunoda Jun, a leading authority on defense problems. The following is an edited translation of selected passages from the 1977 report, which was prepared by Dr. Tsunoda and originally published under the title Kokuboron-Showa 52-Nen Ban (On National Defense-1977 Edition) by Naigai News Company. These excerpts are published here as illustrative of the views of an influential segment of Japanese opinion on problems of national defense.