Japan's New Amphibious Marines

Under the Constitution of 1947, Japan was prohibited from developing an aggressive military.  Fears of a return to Japanese Imperial conquests in the Pacific, South East Asia and China from 1931 (Manchuria) to 1944 (India / Burma)  prompted the American victors of World War 2 to allow a restricted Self-Defense Force - but one that was only in support of the U.S.  army and navy that still occupy bases in Japan today.  With the build-up of Chinese naval forces in the region and disputes over remote islands claimed by both Japan and China, the current Prime Minister has come up with a clever twist on the term "defense", one that many critics claim violates the constitution.  Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was elected in 2012  He knows that if China occupied disputed islands, he would have to persuade the Americans to lead the charge to re-capture them, with Japanese forces in a supporting role.  Given the understandable reluctance of the United States to engage in another military mission, Prime Minister Abe reckoned the islands would be lost forever.  So he worked out a plan.

Japan is training a new amphibious fighting force modeled after the U.S.  Marine Corps.  Recruits learn how to swim long distances wearing flippers, they practice landing from naval vessels and they jump from helicopters in scuba gear.  Mr. Abe said:  "We have a number of remote islands in Okinawa.  It is increasingly important for us to build up a capability where we can respond seamlessly to incursions that fall short of full-blown military conflicts".  By developing its own amphibious force, Japan might be able to defend remote islands on its own, without asking young American marines to die defending Japanese soil.

Within 5 years, the amphibious force will total 3,000 troops.  But Prime Minister Abe's plan has angered China, which says Japan is simply reverting back to the pre-World War 2 "glory" days when the Imperial Forces fought for a Pan-Asian Empire ruled by Japan.  Are we watching the development of a new world hot-spot?  Of course, no one knows for sure - but all the elements are there - stay tuned for more.