U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, right, is greeted by Japan's Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba at the start of their dinner meeting in Tokyo Monday, June 2, 2003. (AP)
Japan Shifts Defense Policy Story aired: Thursday, June 12, 2003
Even though Japan has one of the best equipped armies in the world, the word "army" is hardly ever used, in Japan, to describe it.
To a nation traumatized after World War II and two atomic bombs, "army" sounded too militaristic. The force is a quarter million soldiers and sailors and pilots strong, but it is known as a national defense force, able to act only if attacked. Even then, only under a labyrinth of restrictions, like troop convoys rushing to confront an attack having to stop at red lights.
Last week, new legislation has removed many of those restrictions, and seemingly reasonable as the changes may seem, they've made some in Japan and throughout Asia nervous.
Guests:
Paul Giarra, a Japan security analyst and former Japan desk officer at the Pentagon.
