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| August 23, 2011 |
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| Defense of Japan - White Book 2011 |
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The Ministry of Defense (MOD) released August 2 the 2011 version of annual white book on national defense. The book incorporates the principles, strategies and capabilities of the country's defense and explains relevant policies in the transparent way. The full-color printed book has 570 pages and constitutes propaganda of the MOD and the Self Defense Forces (SDF).
EMPHASIZED DYNAMIC DEFENSE POSTURE TOWARD CHINA
The paper carries names of the Ministry of Defense and Self Defense Forces on the cover. This is the first time that the SDF openly proclaims themselves as a publisher, which means the military body pretends to be ranked higher.
The white book describes the SDF's performance to cope with the March 11 Natural Disaster in the first twenty-two pages and emphasizes Japan's gratitude to the US troops which actively involved in the relief efforts through Operation Tomodachi. The natural disaster is used as a convenient opportunity of propaganda to let people know about great significance of the SDF and the bilateral alliance.
Dedication made by the SDF soldiers should not be underestimated since they worked with tremendous difficulties and strains in the disaster-hit areas, but the point is that it is the very Ministry of Defense and the SDF themselves that have maintained refusal and impediment to create 'a sizable, expertise rescue organization to cope with natural disasters'.
Chinese Threats Stressed
In the 2011 version security efforts to respond to cyberspace terrorism precede the WMD, international terrorism and regional conflicts in the section of Issues of International Community.
The White Book, considering the US military authority as the major provider of threat information, emphasizes that the United States 'retains the right to use all means, including the military affairs' and 'drafts rules of engagement (ROE) in the network defense'. But actually this area is regarded as a new operational field against China and Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
In the section under the Weapons of Mass Destruction the white book specifies threats of cruise missiles (CM): that indicates China's recent development efforts on CM, in particular, in the Asian region is defined as a threat to the forward deployment troops of the US military.
Twenty pages are given to analyze situation in China; meticulously mentioned are its military build-up and maritime deployment as well as regional conflicts over the Paracel and Spratly Islands (in which five countries are involved.) It is because the territorial disputes with China in the East China Sea, including the Senkaku Islands (=Diaoyutai Islands in Chinese), and the South China Sea directly link to the Japan's interests in concession over petroleum and natural gas.
The territorial issue in which Japan involves, including the four northern islands, which are in conflict with Russia, and the Dok-do (=Takeshima Island), with Korea, cannot be settled through a military means but a political solution on the basis of mutual compromise and benefit. All the relevant parties cling to the inherent territories. The White Book advocates the US 'military strategy' and criticizes China as 'arrogant', which the government of China repels.
The United States tries to be neutral in the issue, but restrains China from the point of 'free navigation'. It explains that 'the state which possesses sophisticated weapons system might hinder deployment of US military forces'.
Prepared to Contain China
The SDF/Ministry of Defense has 'dynamic defense capability' and shifts to a new strategy: to defend 'the southwest region of Japan' to support the US Pacific Ocean strategy.
As are specified in the 'National Defense Program Guidelines, FY2011' and 'Mid-term Defense Program (2011-2015)', which were released in the end of last year, the Government of Japan maximizes defense capabilities in the southwestern island region, including the main island of Okinawa, Miyako, Ishigaki, Nishiomote and Yonakuni; it plans to enhance capabilities of fighter bomber troops, set up new radar sites, survey coastal areas, station initial response troops, reinforce submarine capability, mobilize destroyers and construct bases to operate PAC3.
The nominal objective is to 'defend the southwestern islands', but the real purpose is to restrain and contain militarily against the China's military behaviors. China builds up military strength, while the US and Japan strengthen the bilateral alliance. Peace and stability cannot be attained in the vicious circle. Peace and stability can only be created in the different cycle.
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