Tulsi Gabbard (Wikimedia Commons)
On December 7, 2023, Tulsi Gabbard, currently President-elect Donald Trump's pick as Director of National Intelligence, wrote on X:
"As we remember Japan's aggression in the Pacific, we need to ask ourselves this question: is the remilitarization of Japan, which is presently underway, truly a good idea?"
"We need to be careful that shortsighted, self-serving leaders do not end up bringing us again face-to-face with a remilitarized Japan."
Former Congresswoman Gabbard appears to be talking about some other Japan.
The New York Times reporter Richard Halloran once told me that the Japanese were the worst he had come across in terms of being able to "explain themselves."
That has not changed. So I will try.
Who's Afraid of Japan?
First, regarding "…the remilitarization of Japan, which is presently underway.."
Huh?
Japan remilitarized a long time ago. At least 50 years ago.
The Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) is a quarter million strong, well-equipped, and professional.
Yet, it is a threat to nobody – never has been and has never wanted to be. Nor has any Japanese leader or politician suggested it should be.
Also, even if it wanted to throw its weight around, it could not do much.
Japan's military is about half the size needed to conduct all necessary missions just to defend Japan – much less attack anybody.
The JSDF missed recruitment targets by 50% in 2023. It routinely misses them by 20%.
And it is not going to be getting much bigger as the population shrinks. Moreover, there is zero political will for expansion.
US Reliance
But what about Japan's new Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade?
If it could find the ships (no sure thing) and did not get sunk on the way, it could perhaps land 700 "Marines" on the Chinese coast.
Nobody would notice.
Put 700 people in a decent-sized baseball stadium and it would seem empty.
So much for Japan threatening its neighbors.
At best, it might build a defense strong enough to give the Chinese, North Koreans, and Russians pause before the attack.
But on its own, Japan has poor prospects against the People's Liberation Army – even with so-called "counter-strike" capability – or long-range missiles.
Tokyo has no decent alternative besides tying up with the United States and the US military. It has every incentive to make the best of what it has defense-wise and be as good an ally as possible.
This requires a more capable JSDF, one that can conduct joint operations and maintain adequate war stocks. It also needs far better training for real combat than it has today along with integration with US forces.
And these are very much in America's interest.
A Track Record of Decency
Now, look at Japan's post-war track record. And remember that the war ended 80 years ago.
Nearly four generations have been born since then.
Since 1945, Japan has been a humane, consensual democracy and a staunch supporter of the US and the West.
Tokyo is a huge international aid donor. Immense Japanese business and investment in the Indo-Pacific and worldwide are welcomed and sought after.
The world could use more countries like Japan.
Japan has apologized and tried to atone for World War II.
Yes, South Korea and China say they are resentful, though the resentment is often stoked for political gain.
However, Japan is well regarded in most of Asia. The War is a distant memory if even that.
Well regarded? Let's go down the list.
Taiwan? Japan is well-liked.
How about the Philippines? The same.
Vietnam and Indonesia? Both nations give Japan credit for removing the colonial yoke.
Thailand? Excellent relations.
Malaysia? Same thing.
Bangladesh and Burma? Good relations.
Australia? Willing to let bygones be bygones – despite the Imperial Japanese Army's horrific treatment of Australian prisoners of war.
Pacific island nations? Japan has strong ties and is respected and considered a friend.
And the big one, India. Ties are excellent, and in some respects, the India-Japan relationship is deeper than the Japan-US relationship, at least at the elite-to-elite level. India still appreciates Japan for lending support to Indian nationalists seeking independence from Great Britain.
More Allies Like Japan
Am I concerned that Tulsi Gabbard is not up to speed on Japan?
Not really. She is young enough to learn.
A two-page briefing paper or ten minutes with somebody who knows the topic (and has an open mind) would set her straight.
And she is not the first person to make this mistake about Japan.
Marine Lieutenant General Hank Stackpole's "cork in the bottle" comment (that the American forces in Japan were what kept Japan from going on the rampage) was wrong, even when he said it in 1990.
Until not so long ago, senior officers at USINOPACOM resisted the idea of an amphibious capable Japan.
"Who knows what these Japanese will do?"
Yes, that 700-man force that would conquer Asia.
One still runs into people in the US government and military who do not realize today's Japanese have as much in common with 1930's Japanese as the Danes do with the Vikings who carved their initials in the Hagia Sophia.
Japan is a threat to nobody. It is a bastion of decent, consensual government and individual freedom in Northeast Asia and has global influence.
The US should want more such allies – and a stronger Japan Self-Defense Force as well.
If you want to worry about "remilitarization," just look across the East China Sea at the People's Republic of China.
RELATED:
- [Speaking Out] Why is Being a Military Power so Bad?
- The Japan Self-Defense Force Goes To Australia: That's Good, and That's Bad
- The ARDB: Amphibious and Deployable, but Not So Rapidly
Author: Grant Newsham
