Title
The JSDF 2.0: domestic social norms, external defense challenges, and combat capabilities, 2013-2016
Date of Publication
2018
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in International Studies major in Asian Studies
College
College of Liberal Arts
Department/Unit
International Studies
Thesis Advisor
Charmaine Misalucha-Willoughby
Defense Panel Chair
Dennis Trinidad
Defense Panel Member
Benjamin San Jose
Darren Mangado
Abstract/Summary
This research argues that the Japan Self Defense-Forces’ combat capabilities are evolving while at the same time being shaped by Japan’s domestic antimilitarist norms as well on-going yet salient external defense imperatives. The JSDF during the second and current term of Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe saw further bolstering of its warfighting capabilities in light of China’s steady growth of military activities in East and South East Asia, the continuing belligerent behavior of North Korea, and also keeping Japan’s alliance commitment with the United States. Seeing how antimilitarism in Japan has been the restraining factor of the normalized modernization for the JSDF, there are two approaches that can explain how these polarized factors make the JSDF unique in its defense capability development. On one hand, the framework of Constructivism can explain how social norms set the limits on a state’s military/defense capabilities. On the other hand, certain aspects of Realism, like the balance of threat and strategic projection can explain how Japan manages to be a formidable defense force despite domestic constraints. With that, this study is divided into five parts. The first chapter serves as the background of the topic, and thus contextualizes the subject matter. The second chapter discusses the role of China’s military modernization to the JSDF’s capability development. The third chapter around the threat of North Korea’s belligerent missile tests also affect the JSDF’s capability development. The fourth chapter examines the challenges of the Japan-US defense alliance as a driver for the JSDF’s capability development. The last chapter concludes and offers the future research prospects.
Abstract Format
html
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Castillo, S. L. (2018). The JSDF 2.0: domestic social norms, external defense challenges, and combat capabilities, 2013-2016. Retrieved from https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdm_intlstud/20
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Embargo Period
4-8-2021
