Publication:Foundations of International Thinking on Sea Power No. 2

Japanese Sea Power:
A Maritime Nation's Struggle for Identity

by Naoko Sajima and Kyoichi Tachikawa, 2009

Abstract

This book records the Japan’s maritime history from its earliest beginnings to our contemporary age. It discusses Japan’s changing maritime approach from periods of isolationism, to periods of dominant naval power, and its reformation of a medium, self-defence oriented naval force today.

Japan became an archipelago after rising temperatures submerged the land bridges that once connected it with the Asiatic mainland. Japan has since experienced periods where it was an active naval and trading power, and periods where it withdrew into isolationism. The 1853 arrival of Commodore Perry’s American squadron reopened Japanese eyes to the influence of naval power and maritime trade prompting a rapid rebuilding of Japanese naval forces. By World War I Japan was a major naval power but by the time of its World War II occupation the Imperial Japanese Navy had been defeated.

The new 1947 Japanese constitution prohibited Japan to construct and use military force. The emerging Cold War and Korean War challenged Japan to rearm to offer some defence against these threats. In 1954 Japan’s new naval forces were commissioned the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces (JMSDF). The apparent conflict between the JMSDF and the Japan’s constitutional renunciation of war was resolved by placing strict limitations on JMSDF activities. Post-20001 Japan has been an active contributor to reconstruction and peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Asia–Pacific region, and is engaged in strong defence cooperation relationship with Australia and the United States. The JMSDF is still small in comparison to neighbouring countries, as a percentage of gross domestic product, and relative to what Japan could actually support. For these reasons, Japan has not returned to perceiving itself as a true maritime nation. Japan is at a crossroads; future expansion of the size and/or capability of the JMSDF would contradict its constitution.

Availability

This volume is available in hard copy free of charge; please contact the SPC-A for a copy.

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