In early June, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party accepted recommendations from its Security Research Council for revising Japan’s three main national security documents, including the National Security Strategy. A Japanese colleague knew I’d seen a few of these over the last 30 years and asked what I thought of the proposal. Here’s what I told him: How do you assess the Security Research Council’s proposal? This is a sensible analysis of what Japan needs to focus on and do to improve its national defense to face oncoming threats. It covers much of the hardware ‘waterfront’. This includes: drones, UAVs, missiles (lots of them), and also having adequate amounts of weapons, ordnance, and other materials needed to fight…Open
Balakitan gives troops from Philippines, US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and France real combat training – and a lot of it In the Balikatan military exercise, taking place in the Philippines, troops from the Philippines, US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and France have been getting real combat training – and a lot of it. It’s conducted with China in mind – even if nobody will say so. That’s the etiquette. Furthermore, the forces are training in the area that would be part of the “operational area” in the event the People’s Liberation Army moves against Taiwan. This includes the northern Philippines facing the South China Sea and the Luzon Strait, also known as the Bashi Channel, between Taiwan and…Open
Before Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met President Donald Trump in Washington a couple of weeks ago, the Japanese fretted that Trump would ask Japan to send the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) to the Persian Gulf – even just a few ships or aircraft. Anyone who has dealt with Japanese officialdom for any length of time can imagine the teeth-sucking followed by an anguished “too hard.” Takaichi said beforehand that she would explain to “Donald” the limitations on what Japan could do. Implicitly, these are “constitutional” limitations – set by the Japanese constitution , which was, in fact, drafted by the Americans after World War II. The Takaichi-Trump meeting proved to be pure bonhomie, and the “JSDF to the Gulf”…Open
For Japan’s long-term economic and defense interests, it should send minesweepers or other help for the US to the Middle East, sooner rather than later. Don’t expect any fireworks when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets President Donald Trump in Washington on March 19. Compared to Britain, Spain, France, and the United States’ other erstwhile allies ー large and small (except for the Poles and a couple others) ー Japan looks like the most stalwart ally the US has. At long last, it is taking its defense seriously: Increasing defense spending . Building ships and submarines, and acquiring long-range missiles. It’s improving terms of service for Japan Self-Defense Force personnel. Helping the Philippines with its…Open