Berger on Japan’s Commitment to Pacifism
Thomas Berger, Professor of International Relations at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, believes that there is a subtle but very significant shift happening in Japan’s military posture. Berger views Japan’s modest 1.5 percent increase in defense spending this year as a small step toward better equipping Japan Self-Defense Forces for a more active combat role.
Berger was quoted in a February 2, 2016, writeup by Michelle FlorCruz in the Asia Society Blog entitled ‘Is Japan’s Commitment to Pacifism Wavering?’
The article extensively quotes Prof. Berger, who elaborates on what this significant shift implies:
“That means investing in amphibious warfare capabilities to repel a Chinese landing on the Senkaku/Diaoyus and neighboring islands, improving Japan’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities … it should also mean improving anti-missile defense abilities — an issue made all the more urgent given the recent North Korean ‘hydrogen’ bomb test and continued missile development program.”
Berger added that along with renewed alliances with the U.S., Tokyo needs to be able to provide American forces with support in the event of a military clash. “Japanese ships are now able to defend the U.S. and potentially other allied nations’ ships on the high sea. Japanese forces are able to provide military protection and logistical support closer to combat areas. And intelligence coordination is improving.”
Berger says that while the new legislation is a step toward eroding cautiousness by the government in sending forces overseas, there is still a strong aversion from the Japanese public and elite to get involved in overseas military missions. Because of this, he believes that Japan will remain pacifist for the time being — and any changes are unlikely to happen overnight.
“Could Japanese forces be dispatched overseas on combat missions or missions that turn into combat missions?” Berger asked. “In principle, yes, but it is still difficult to imagine how this might come about. There is no doubt things are changing, but they are changing very gradually and at a cautious and deliberate pace.”
The entire article can be read here.
Berger joined the Department of International Relations in 2001. Previously, he taught for seven years at the Johns Hopkins Department of Political Science in Baltimore. He is the author of War, Guilt and World Politics After World War II, Cultures of Antimilitarism: National Security in Germany and Japan and is co-editor of Japan in International Politics: Beyond the Reactive State. Learn more about him here.