Sdf of Japan

Extract: over the years since its inception in 1954 the Japanese SDF has undergone a change in diversifying and expanding its activities in tune to the international trends and developments though in a limited manner. And since 2000, their role and activities in fact had increased moving towards becoming a normal military agency under a “normal nation’’ .The Iraq deployment was a new experience for Japan’s Self Defense Force in that all previous missions for humanitarian aid and reconstruction had been carried out under a UN Peacekeeping Operations framework. The mission therefore provided the SDF with an array of new challenges and learning opportunities.

Introduction: The Defense Agency, the core of Japan’s defense capability is an important and special organization playing the most essential role in the continued survival of the country that is, national defense. The Self-Defense Forces of Japan has traversed a course of 50 plus years since its establishment. Its activities includes responding to incidents like that of suspicious boats, nuclear accidents, various natural disasters, illegal acts, emergency situations, and international activities including not only UN peacekeeping operations but also cooperation in the international efforts for preventing and eradicating international terrorism as well as the efforts for reconstructing the nation of Iraq.

Japan's SDF has actually shifted ahead the time for its use of force from the previous "after being invaded by the enemy" to "being threatened by the enemy", and allowed itself the right to mount "pre-emptive strike" on the enemy. At the same time, the SDF's operation area has been expanded from its own territory to "surrounding areas" and then to farther regions.

Over the years, the SDF has evolved into a modern army of picked troops, advanced equipment and good training. Since the end of the Cold War, along with the acceleration of the pace of Japan's political Right deviation, the country's security policy and the nature and functions of its SDF have all undergone astonishing changes, which have aroused doubts and anxiety among its neighbors and its citizens.

OVERSEAS MISSION FROM 2000-2007:

YEAR DATE SDF Overseas Mission Since 2000:

2000 September 13 SDF personnel dispatched to dispose of abandoned chemical weapons in Biean, China.

2001 February 5 SDF units dispatched to India for International Relief Disaster Operation.

2001 November 9 SDF warship dispatched to the Indian Ocean for information gathering.

2001 November 29 Based on International Terrorism Law, ASDF begins aerial transportation between USFJ bases.

2001 December Based on International Terrorism Laws, MSDF supply vessels begin refueling U.S ships in Indian ocean.

2002 March 2 680 Defense Personnel dispatched on the first Dispatch Engineering Group to East Timor.

2003 December 30 Relief materials transported by air in response to great earthquake in Iran under the law concerning the dispatch of Japan Disaster Relief Teams.

2004 February 3 Departure of first SDF contingent for Iraqi humanitarian and reconstruction support activities.

2004 December 28 MSDF ships dispatched to Thailand’s, Phuket Island to engage in the international disaster relief activities for Indonesia’s