The United States a step back

In presenting its plans for self-sufficient military forces, Japan, clearly shaken by Donald Trump's statements, has reduced the role of the United States in its defense to a minor one in its white paper.

The white paper Defense of Japan 20251 is a surprising document. Fully illustrated and presenting in great detail the composition and organization of Japan's self-sufficient military forces, Japan's Own Architecture for National Defense is an educational document intended for the nation rather than for diplomats, the traditional target audience for this type of document.

This is not its only unusual feature. While insisting on the need to significantly strengthen Japan's defense capabilities, it downplays the role and contribution of the United States. It should be noted that of the 30 pages of the white paper, only one page is devoted to the Japan-US alliance, with no new measures announced.

In this regard, it is worth noting what Defense Minister Gen Nakatani wrote in the introduction to the white paper: "The alliance with the United States is an essential pillar of our national security policy and the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Let us be clear: not “the” pillar, but “an”essetial pillar, and moreover, a contribution that concerns not only Japan, but the entire Indo-Pacific region.

In fact, Gen Nakatani makes no secret of the unease that certain statements by President Trump have caused, to the point of wanting to reassure the Japanese ambassador to the United States in a key defense document: "I understand America's high expectations of Japan for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. “ He added: ”I am fully aware of the enormous responsibility that Japan has as a member of the international community. In the face of turbulence in the United States, I wish to do everything in my power, however modest, to contribute to the advent of a 'new golden age of Japan-US relations. "

The white paper finally recalls that, under the terms of the constitution, Japan has adopted the Three Non-Nuclear Principles: not to possess, not to produce, and not to allow the introduction of nuclear weapons, as a final way of keeping its distance from the United States.
‍

Edouard Valensi, Asie21

‍