Realignment of the Japan-United States Alliance and the Emerging Roles and Missions of the Japan Self-Defense Force

摘要

The Japan-U.S. Security Alliance and the Japan Self Defense Force (SDF) have been the centerpieces for security of Japan since the end of WWII. During the Cold War period the Soviet Union was the common and only threat to both nations. The ultimate goal of the Japan-U.S. Alliance was to cope with the Soviet military threat. To do this the United States provided deterrence by deploying its military forces forward while Japan maintained its defense capabilities at the minimum level necessary. The roles and missions of the SDF were limited only to the defense of Japan. However the disappearance of the Soviet Union after the end of Cold War caused huge perturbations in the Japan-U. S. Alliance. The focus of the Japan-U.S. Alliance shifted from the traditional Soviet-focus to a regional-security focus. The roles and missions of the SDF were also diversified from the defense of Japan to regional stability. September 11 2001 changed all this. This incident created dramatic impacts on the global security system as well as the U.S. Security Strategy. The United States shifted its security focus to the Global War On Terror (GWOT) and adopted a much more aggressive posture. Thus the Japan-U.S. Alliance faces another challenge in its evolution. Japan is now trying to revise its national security policy the National Defense Program Outline (NDPO) to cope with the emerging situation. It is a time for both nations especially Japan to adapt to the new situation quickly. The author will argue that the Japan-U.S Alliance is prerequisite for both nations to secure their national interests in the immediate future and also argue that cooperation on the GWOT especially Japan's active involvement is essential to enhance the credibility of the Japan-U.S. Alliance. In conclusion the Japan-U.S. Alliance is the only realistic and effective way to secure the national interests of Japan. The effectiveness of the alliance should be enhanced.