MakePolicy.com

Previously known as the Japan Defense Agency, the Ministry of Defense came into being on January 9 2007. It is based in Ichigaya, Tokyo and offers tours of the site for those interested in looking at the honour parade and memorial hall. The tours are a good way of promoting Japan’s military position to a society grounded for past half century in the ideals of pacifism.
The way that Japan has refocused the national attitudes and security policy to justify a more active global and regional military position over the past …

The following picture shows the anger provoked by the launch from neighbouring countries in the region.

Is North Korea within its rights to put a satellite into space under the international space treaty?

Experts are suggesting that the wording of UN resolutions on missile testing could be open to interpretation which may allow Pyongyang to escape punishment for its launch. A 1967 UN treaty states that outer space “shall be free for exploration and use by all states without discrimination of any kind.” Is this how the North Korean launch could be …

The threat of a rocket launch of has produced sensitive and heated response from three siginificant players in the North East Asian security region – the US, South Korea and neighbouring Japan.
The North Koreans have claimed that their action merely represent a wish to place a communications satellite into orbit. Critics believe the real purpose of the rocket launch is to test the launch vehicle, a Taepodong-2 ballistic missile. They argue that this could, in theory, reach Alaska or Hawaii.
UN diplomats are keeping close watch this weekend and anticipate an …

Its April 1 but its no April Fool in dealing with the nuke warhead threat from North Korea. Pyongyang is believed to have several nuclear warheads capable of being mounted on a missile.
This is a considerable concern to Japan which has long been subject to belligerent threats and continued hostile relations with North Korea. And according to North Korea if Japan attempts to intercept the satellite the North Korean army will consider it as the start of Japans war of reinvasion after more than six decades.
Do we just stay tuned …

All this talk about another North ballistic missile test is boring! Let me give you 3 reasons why they are doing Japan a favour!

It provides Japan with a reason to alter its Self Defence Force status to a normal military power status
It provides Japan with important reason for engagement with the United States as a security power in the region
It provides Japan with a reason to take leadership and even push for acceptance as a member of the UNs security council

When will Japan be allowed normal nation status?

North Korea looks like it will launch a rocket in early April 2009. What does it mean for the safety of the North East Asian region? Will it fly over Japanese airspace? How effective is Japans Ballistic Missile Defense system. These questions are critical for the Japanese – but also ongoing questions of concern.
The estimated cost of the system has been substantial – so can the system knock out any incoming targets? I am sure Japanese tax payers will be hoping so.
Will this be a test for Japans military capabilties? …

Following World War Two, Japan’s new pacifist constitution renounced the right to wage war and maintain military forces. Yet Japan needed some form of national self defence and therefore a Self-Defense Force was created with a strictly defensive mandate. In recent years, though, the line between defence and offence has become difficult to distinguish.