Are the Japeneese allowed to have an army?

[Spec]

I know that at the end of WW2 the Japeneese were not allowed to have an army anymore. But what about today? Do they have one? If so, how big is it? Do they have the naval power they used to have? And if they dont have an army, who defends them?

Thanks.

Spec.

[Edan]

They have a defensive military only, as per their post war constitution, although they do spend quite a bit of money on that military.

Also, iirc, there's a USmilitary base in Japan.

[Edan]

Military Branches: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (Army), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (Navy), Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Air Force), Japanese Coast Guard

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $40,774.3 million (FY01)

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ja.html#Military

[Zero]

aka, JSDF

I heard awhile ago whether Japan should defend itself completely or not. I guess its the saem old arguement w/ S.Korea. I dunno what's new on the issue.

[Spec]

Will the be allowed to have full control of their army someday? I mean to do whatever they want and not just defend their country? Like "help" other countries that are in need?


Spec.

[Az]

They have full control of their army today, they are limiting themselves, because the horrors of war made them a bunch of peacenicks.

[Spec]

Originally posted by Azazel
They have full control of their army today, they are limiting themselves, because the horrors of war made them a bunch of peacenicks.

Are you sure?

[Frankychan]

According to their constitution, they can NEVER have war again....literally. Unless they are attacked, then they can defend themselves (i.e. JDF).

Additionally, their military is not a part of their government like the US Military is. It's more like an afterthought. The communication between the government and the JDF is limited.

[Edan]

Originally posted by Frankychan
According to their constitution, they can NEVER have war again....literally. Unless they are attacked, then they can defend themselves (i.e. JDF).

They could always change their constitution. Probably not easy, but possible.

Also, they have stated that if they have evidence that North Korea is preparing to attack Japan (fueling up it's missiles, etc), they reserve the right to premptively attack North Korea.

[Az]

Additionally, their military is not a part of their government like the US Military is. It's more like an afterthought. The communication between the government and the JDF is limited.

That's a bad thing, you know.

[Frankychan]

Originally posted by Edan


They could always change their constitution. Probably not easy, but possible.

Also, they have stated that if they have evidence that North Korea is preparing to attack Japan (fueling up it's missiles, etc), they reserve the right to premptively attack North Korea.

Whoa. I didn't hear about this. Which paper says this? I gotta use it for my class.

For changing their constitution, it's been proposed before but according to my prof's., the so-called 'hardliners' in the Japanese govt are adamantly opposed to modification.

[Az]

Yeah, it's been around, Franky.

[Zero]

If that is possible with N. Korea, they are already bending it. Theoratically, you can say why not preemptively attack any other country to "protect" japan?

[Edan]

Originally posted by Frankychan


Whoa. I didn't hear about this. Which paper says this? I gotta use it for my class.

Here's an article about it:

http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2003/02/10/daily54.html

For changing their constitution, it's been proposed before but according to my prof's., the so-called 'hardliners' in the Japanese govt are adamantly opposed to modification.

Well, I did say it wouldn't be easy - just possible.

[Edan]

Originally posted by Calc II
If that is possible with N. Korea, they are already bending it. Theoratically, you can say why not preemptively attack any other country to "protect" japan?

No,premptive can be the same as defense, although it does show that they won't necessarily wait to get hit before responding - especially if you have evidence that they're going to attack. (Not doing so would be stupid policy anyway, imo. If you have proof that someone is going to attack you, you shouldn't wait until after getting hit before doing something about it)