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Chinese Advice Has Japan up in Arms
December 19, 2001
Summary
Japan's moves to redefine the role of the Self Defense Forces are drawing concern from its neighbors, particularly North Korea and China. Although Beijing has softened its criticism since the Sept. 11 attacks, Chinese officials reportedly told their Japanese counterparts that Tokyo should not send maritime SDF vessels to the Indian Ocean on grounds that it would violate Japan's constitution. Tokyo may exploit alleged Chinese interventionism to bolster its case for a full review of the role of the SDF -- possibly leading to alteration of the constitution itself.
Analysis
Chinese foreign policy officials reportedly told their Japanese counterparts Nov. 21 that Japan's deployment of maritime Self Defense Force vessels to the Indian Ocean -- part of Japan's commitment to the U.S. anti-terrorism war -- was unconstitutional. The Japanese daily Sankei Shimbun cited government sources Dec. 17 as saying Beijing argued against the deployment; the paper added that Beijing's attempts to interpret the Japanese constitution may be tantamount to interference in Japan's internal affairs.
China has long cautioned Japan against remilitarization though it toned down its official rhetoric after the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States. Chinese media have run several articles from academics cautioning Japan against using the anti-terrorism war as an excuse to abandon its pacifist constitution. Elements in Tokyo, which were already playing up a "China threat" before Sept. 11, may use this latest incident of alleged Chinese interventionism to bolster their case for a public review of the role of the SDF -- and possibly a review of the constitution itself.
Japan's World War II legacy has been both a blessing and a curse for the nation. The pacifist constitution allowed the country to focus on economic growth in the wake of defeat. Its defense was left in the hands of the United States. With the end of the Cold War, however, Washington no longer relied on Tokyo to help contain Soviet expansionism. Japan has remained dependent on the United States for defense but has had less leverage with Washington in defining its own immediate interests.
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(c) 2001 Stratfor, Inc.
Dan
Chinese Advice Has Japan up in Arms . . .