SDF drastically strengthened with huge funds
Spending a huge amount of tax money for its defense buildup, such as for missile-defense, helicopter carriers, precision guided bombs, etc., Japan with its war-renouncing Constitution is going to remake the Self-Defense Forces into war capable forces to go anywhere in the world to cooperate the U.S. policy of hegemony.
An Akahata article of August 31 explained how extraordinary Japan's situation is in this regard. The gist of the article follows:
The 2003 White Paper on Defense published by the Defense Agency on August 5 is a product of the agency's new plan to make a 180-degree turn in its customary 'defense' policy.
Soon after 9/11, the agency established a "council" to review what Japan's defense strength should be like, so that reviewing the latest "National Defense Program Outline" of 1995 is to be finished this year.
With axis on global dispatch of SDF
The SDF have been sent to the Indian Ocean under the pretext of "supporting the U.S. anti-terror war" and the White Paper stresses that dispatching SDF troops globally has become one of the essential missions of the SDF. This means that the government has changed the primary mission of the SDF from "exclusive self-defense" to overseas dispatch in response to U.S. requests.
What has caused such a quick and grave change in Japan's defense policy?
Ishiba Shigeru, Defense Agency director general, told the daily Yomiuri Shimbun on August 6 that a change in defense policy of the U.S., the only ally for Japan, eventually means a change of Japan's defense policy.
In its September 2002 state security strategy, the U.S. Bush administration openly asserted to invoke preemptive strike strategy by fully using threats from terrorism and weapons of mass destruction as pretexts.
The war on Iraq initiated by the U.S., however, was showered by criticism from around the world, even including U.S. allies, which led the U.S. government to take a "coalition" line made up of some countries behaving completely under U.S. subservience.
The White Paper favorably describes the U.S. attempt to impose a U.S.-centered order on the whole world using its overwhelming military power. It quotes the August 2002 U.S. Defense Report as saying that any "useless" ally to the U.S. will not be qualified as a coalition member.
Behind the rapid turn in the Koizumi Cabinet's "defense policy" is a thinking in complete subjugation to the super power, showing Japan's extraordinary subordination to the U.S.
Moreover, the military budget request for FY 2004 released on August 29 focuses on the point that the government wants to remake the SDF.
Missile defense--useful only in defense of U.S. forces in Japan
This year's Defense White Paper gave priority to allotting costs for the introduction of a "missile defense" system. The aim is obvious. Safeguarding the U.S. forces in Japan from possible missile attacks by means of "missile defense" will mean for Japan to support the U.S. preemptive strike strategy.
If the sum for Japan-U.S. technical development of the next generation "missile defense" is added, next year's "missile defense"-related costs will total 142.3 billion yen (1.3 billion dollars).
Helicopter-carrier--to push overseas development
Also, 116.4 billion yen (1.1 billion dollars) was claimed as costs for the procurement of a helicopter-carrier, which the agency calls an "escort carrier helicopter."
The agency insists that the vessel is needed for the SDF to engage in support and cooperation activities for a long time in the Indian Ocean. It doesn't conceal its true aim of escorting U.S. forces operating abroad. It is designed to make it possible to deploy the SDF throughout the world as part of U.N. peace-keeping forces.
The new Maritime SDF ship requires a weight of 13,500 tons, twice that of the helicopter-carrier currently held by the MSDF. Its size (195 meters long) is almost equivalent to those of the aircraft carriers of Britain, Spain, and Italy.
An article by a staff member of the MSDF academy research team calls for studying if the new vessel is capable of carrying pilotless planes as the U.S. used in Iraq.
SDF to equip with precision guided bombs used in Iraq War
The agency has also requested a 1.2 billion yen (11 million dollars) budget to equip JMSDF F-2 fighters with precision guided bombs. Together with its request of 25.7 billion yen (234 million dollars) for the third mid-air refueling aircraft, the agency aims at increasing SDF operational capability to directly attack enemy bases abroad.
Voices are being heard from among ruling circles and some opposition parties that this is high time for the SDF to introduce cruise missiles and even a light aircraft carrier. All this means another dangerous step toward increasing the overseas operational capabilities of the SDF.
Reinforced joint operational setup between US Forces and SDF
In line with the plan to dispatch the SDF overseas, the government intends to get the command of the three Self-Defense Forces unified for more effective cooperation with the U.S. forces. SDF linkage with the U.S. forces will be under a unified command from the present individual command of the three SDFs. A 3.2 billion yen (29 million dollars) budget is requested for feasibility studies and exercises.
Draft revision to JCP Program gives warning
The draft revision to JCP Program says that Japan's Self-Defense Forces have been under the control and command of the U.S. forces, with their role geared to play a part in U.S. world strategy.
The agency's latest budget request has outlined how extraordinary and dangerous is Japan's policy in subordination to the U.S. against the world current for peace, concluded the Akahata article. (end)