In addition to bolstering the deterrent provided by the Japan-U.S. alliance, it is important that Japan contributes to the peace and stability of the international community. Unremitting efforts should be continued to achieve these goals.
Three years have gone by since security-related laws were enacted.
A main pillar of this legislation is that it allowed Japan to exercise its right of collective self-defense on a limited basis in the event of a situation that threatened the nation's survival. The legislation also expanded the logistic support Japan could provide to the U.S. military in peacetime to prepare for a crisis. To boost the nation's ability to jointly deal with such incidents, the legislation is significant.
Since the laws were enacted, the Maritime Self-Defense Force has refueled U.S. warships and conducted other activities, while the Air Self-Defense Force has protected U.S. bombers.
In the summer of 2018, Japan and the United States conducted joint drills in waters near Hawaii as part of the Rim of the Pacific Exercise administered by the U.S. Navy. The Ground Self-Defense Force also participated in this biennial exercise and conducted activities such as anti-ship combat drills jointly with the U.S. military.
It can be said that excessive restrictions on Japan-U.S. training -- because it might infringe on the Constitution -- have been rectified. It will be essential to take steps to boost the effectiveness of the Japan-U.S. alliance premised on various situations.
The Defense Ministry has announced that an MSDF submarine conducted an exercise with destroyers in the South China Sea. The United States has carried out "freedom of navigation operations" to push back against China's moves to increase its military footprint in that sea. Britain also dispatched a warship through these waters.
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Ensuring sea lane security is extremely important to Japan. The Self-Defense Forces must urge China to exercise restraint by strengthening cooperation with the United States, European nations and Asian countries.
Another key pillar of the legislation was the expanded scope of the SDF's international contributions. The legislation opened the door to cooperation with multinational forces on missions separate from U.N. peacekeeping operations. This aims to make it possible to flexibly take action with these forces.
The government is considering dispatching GSDF personnel to join the Multinational Force and Observers operating in the Sinai Peninsula in eastern Egypt. The MFO is engaged in activities including monitoring a ceasefire near the border between Egypt and Israel.
The government intends to send several GSDF personnel to the MFO headquarters. Having SDF personnel engage in a new operation could help give a concrete form to the "proactive contribution to peace" trumpeted by the government.
Japan currently has no SDF units involved in peacekeeping operations. The nation should actively seek to make personnel contributions commensurate with its resources and capability.
The GSDF unit deployed on a peacekeeping operation in South Sudan was assigned duties including coming to the rescue of staff of the United Nations or nongovernmental organizations who are under attack from armed groups. Although the unit was pulled out before it had a chance to perform this duty, it is very meaningful that the legal shortcoming that meant SDF personnel could not help people calling to be rescued has been remedied.
It is important to protect Japan's national interests by contributing to the stability of the international community and enhancing the nations' trust.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 20, 2018)
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
