Japanese defense abilities. Part 2

Evolution of Japanese army

With the end of the Cold War and decreased tension at the East-West line, Japan started to revaluate its defense concept. Previous system of defense against ground invasion ceded to BMD system and special military and navy operations. Due to that, amount of armored vehicles in Japanese army was reduced from 900 to 600. At the same time, in 2011 new Type-10 tank is to go into service. Japanese also plan to reinforce the Central Readiness Force (CFR) and set up the submarine patrols of Japanese and Eastern-Chinese seas.

In 2009 new 16 SS Sōryū submarine and 16 DDH Hyūga squadron torpedo boats took the water. These vessels are to replace the old ones that went into service as far back as in the 70s. In 2012-2014 deployment of new 5000 tons series torpedo-boat destroyers is scheduled — they are to guard the Aegis system.

General amount of combat aircrafts is to be reduced from 400 (including 300 fighters) to 350 (including 260 fighters). At the same time, intensive Air Force modernization is to take place: American F-15 aircrafts are to be upgraded and 94 Mitsubishi F-2 planes are to go into service. New Kawasaki C-X cargo planes are also to appear in the Japanese Air Force in 2010.

Due to the pressing terrorist threats, intelligence and counter-intelligence spending would be increased — as well as the creation of satellite alignment funding. Evolution of Japanese army is tightly intertwined with the state of Japanese economics. Swift development of economics in the 80s fell for the Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone term — he was a pro-American politician with an inclination towards nationalism. He actively developed the Japanese military and supported close allied relationship with the USA. In the 90s pace of economic growth slowed down, international tension eased down as well — all that allowed Japan to limit its defense spending.

Chinese economic boom and the respective growth of PRC military spending along with risky DPRK nuclear policy, however, bent Tokyo towards review of its military doctrine. Junichiro Koizumi has made a historical decision for Japan to participate in the Iraqi occupation. Increasing North Korean threat has once again pushed Tokyo to Washington. Japanese economic crisis lasting for more than ten years caused Tokyo to constrain its military spending under the aegis of modernization and transition to the 21^st century military model. New threats and lack of its own capabilities once again brought Japan to the American embraces. That’s why we shouldn’t really expect Yukio Hatoyama — who loudly proclaimed his intention to review the Japanese-American relationship — to actually change something, even despite possible sincerity of his intentions. Today’s Japan is not in its best shape to demonstrate proud and independent samurai approach.