| Publication |
2011.
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| Summary/Abstract |
Based upon a strategic assessment that portrays the United States in relative decline
and international public goods deteriorating, Japan has placed new emphasis on
developing its own capability to deter China in the "gray zones" of disputed territories
and waters near its southern island chain. Consensus across the Japanese security
community on this new strategic outlook has led to the abandonment of the Basic
Defense Force concept and the adoption of a "Dynamic Defense Force" concept
as the underlying logic driving Japan's defense policy. Japan's new policy of
dynamic deterrence emphasizes increasing its visibility in the southern islands
through improved intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance (ISR) capabilities
as well as enhancing its capability to deal with contingencies arising in that area
by developing a more mobile and flexible force structure that is better coordinated
for a timely response. While domestic ideological battles continue to thwart the
adoption of collective self-defense and other controversial revisions to Japan's
defense policy, Japan's willingness to play a larger role in monitoring Chinese
maritime expansion in the East China Sea has been welcomed by the United
States. The article concludes by arguing that Japan's "3/11" disaster is unlikely to
cause it to abandon its new defense policy and that the future of Japan's defense
transformation will most likely be guided by the outcome of Japan's engagement
with China
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