Japan Press Weekly

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2013 May 22 - 28 [US FORCES]

Creating a Japan-US aircraft-carrier task force, the honest opinion of uniformed US official

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

Chief of U.S. Naval Operations Jonathan Greenert on May 21 revealed his expectation of Japan becoming capable of resorting to the right to collective self-defense as Prime Minister Abe Shinzo is pushing for. Greenert said, “It can enable the formation a U.S.-Japan joint aircraft-carrier task force.”

He expressed a candid opinion as a U.S. uniformed military officer that if Japan legalizes the right, they can incorporate the Aegis ships in Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force into the U.S. aircraft-carrier-led battle force and have the MSDF participate in U.S. wars.

His remarks were obviously intended to encourage Japan to arm itself with the right to collective self-defense as called for by Prime Minister Abe in accordance with U.S. global strategies. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter last month also welcomed the Japanese prime minister’s move as a “constructive” endeavor.

Prime Minister Abe in February reestablished the council on reform in the security sector he had set up in his first Cabinet six years ago. The Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security is promoting “four categories” which will enable the SDF to: use force to escort U.S. warships on the high seas; intercept ballistic missiles launched toward the U.S.; rush to a conflict area to protect foreign troops; and provide logistic support to activities of other countries.

Successive governments, however, have officially rejected Japan’s right to collective self-defense under the existing Constitution. It will be in direct violation of the Japanese supreme law to enable the country to legitimize the four categories despite not being attacked by any external military force.

The advisory panel is also considering expanding the SDF role beyond the four categories. The advisors are even discussing possibilities for SDF vessels to participate in patrol missions with the U.S. 7th Fleet. Its carrier-borne battle force operates as a bellicose presence in the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean and launches attacks when needed.

If the SDF participates in such operations, it will mean that the SDF may have to fight together with U.S. forces in U.S. wars abroad. The Abe government should immediately stop that blatant move to militarism that may lead to the ruin of the country in many ways.