Japan's New Military Trends Merit Attention: Army Paper Commentary

Recently, Japan adopted in succession two new moves: First, deciding to launch three reconnaissance satellites before the end of March 2003; second, deciding to organize an "island-protection unit", so as to cope with the activities of China's naval vessels in the surrounding sea areas of Japan.

In the opinion of relevant experts, these two moves have the aim directed against China. It arouses particular concern when the statement of so-called be alert to China's military movements as contained in Japan's 2000 defense white paper is taken into account.

Japan's media reports say that its plan for the research and development of reconnaissance satellites was started in November 1998 on the grounds of "Korea's launch of missiles".

But overseas opinion contends that Japan's real aim is to reconnoiter the military trends of neighboring countries, particularly the situation about the deployment of missiles, in order to enhance the quick reaction capabilities of Japan's military forces, and effectively cope with the so-called situation in surrounding areas.

Japan's 2000 defense white paper declares that the country's reconnaissance satellite can detect the situation regarding ballistic missiles, and discern the situation about the movements of naval vessels and fighter planes. Since the white paper asserts that the firing range of China's medium-range missiles can cover Asian countries including Japan, and that Chinese naval vessels have increased their activities in Japan's surrounding sea areas, therefore, Japan's launch of reconnaissance satellites obviously is directed, in one aspect, against China. In addition, there is a greater aim in Japan's launch of reconnaissance satellite, that is, providing the Japan-US TMD system with the missile intelligence obtained through reconnaissance.

The budget worked out for Japan's reconnaissance satellite is as high as 265.9 billion yen (around US$2.6 billion, including expenses on R&D, launch, land requisition and construction). The research and development of reconnaissance satellite is undertaken by Japan's universe development work group, and some technologies and spare parts are provided by the United States. According to a Mainichi Shimbun report, in October last year, the Japanese government had an exchange of notes with the US government on Japan's purchase of satellite parts and components from the United States, it is stated in this document that the satellite parts and components Japan buys from the United States include: the device for controlling the optical sensor angle designed to shoot ground objects; the data memory device for transmitting the image to the ground station and making analysis; and optical lens materials. The resolving power (RP) of Japanese reconnaissance satellite can identify object of one square meter in size, the ground stations receiving the satellite image information will be set up in Hokkaido, Kyushu and Okinawa respectively, the image information processing center is set up in Japan's Defense Ministry's new commanding building completed in May this year in Ichigaya of Tokyo. In order to enhance the capability of analyzing the information obtained by the reconnaissance satellite, Japan plans to increase the staff of the image information processing center from the initially planned 200 to 321 people. With regard to Japan's move in developing reconnaissance satellite, relevant experts point out explicitly that it runs counter to the resolution adopted by Japan's Diet in 1969 concerning the peaceful use of outer space.

A new army unit established by Japan in order to cope with the so-called Chinese naval vessels' activities in Japan's surrounding sea areas should be seen as a link in the country's coping with the "situation in the surrounding areas". It indicates that while including the Taiwan Straits into the scope of the "situation in surrounding areas", Japan also puts the so-called Chinese naval vessels' activities in Japan's surrounding sea areas into the scope of the "situation in surrounding areas". This army unit is composed of 660 people, subordinated to the western front unit of the self-defense corps. In March this year, Japan made the decision to strengthen the defense of the western part and prepare to change the previous "defense of the north" to "defense against the west" in the next few years, it aims to strengthen its military containment of Korea and China, its organization of the new army unit represents a step toward the "defense against the west".

The above-mentioned two trends are interrelated. One aim of Japan's launch of reconnaissance satellite is to reconnoiter the military movements of Chinese naval vessels, while its newly established army unit will take action in accordance with the relevant information provided by the reconnaissance satellite. It is noteworthy that behind Japan's above-mentioned trends are hidden Japan's intention of containing China and its plot to speed up the process of its becoming a big military power and playing its military role worldwide.



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