Japan Is Rebuilding Its Military For The First Time Since WWII | VICE on HBO

Summary

This video explores Japan's shift towards militarization, driven by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, amidst historical tensions with China. It features survival gaming, military exercises, and debates on constitutional changes. The documentary highlights Japan's growing military budget, the controversy over the 'Izumo' helicopter carrier, and escalating territorial disputes with China over the Senkaku Islands. It also discusses the potential for conflict and the US-Japan alliance's role in regional security.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The video script describes a survival gaming spot in Tokyo designed to resemble a war zone, hinting at a shift in Japanese culture towards a more militaristic mindset.
• 🏔 The script suggests that Japan's historical pacifism, enforced by the US post-WWII, is changing with the Japanese parliament approving policies to allow military action overseas.
• 🗼 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is portrayed as a driving force behind Japan's push towards militarization, despite public protests and concerns about constitutional violations.
• 🚢 Japan's military budget is at an all-time high, with new capabilities showcased, including the Izumo, a ship that resembles an aircraft carrier despite being classified as a helicopter carrier.
• 🚩 The script highlights the territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands between Japan and China, which is a focal point of growing tensions.
• 🇯🇵 There is a rise of ultra-nationalism in Japan, with groups like Nippon Kaigi advocating for a more aggressive military stance, including potential constitutional changes.
• 🛳️ The Japanese Self-Defense Forces are expanding their capabilities, including naval power, which is seen as a show of strength towards China.
• 🚨 The script mentions the Japanese Coast Guard's aggressive actions to prevent civilian boats from reaching the disputed islands, indicating heightened sensitivity and potential for conflict.
• 🌎 The US-Japan alliance is underscored as a key factor in Japan's security, with the US legally bound to defend Japan, which could draw the US into any conflict.
• ✈️ Japanese fighters are on high alert, regularly scrambling in response to Chinese aircraft, illustrating the tense and potentially volatile situation in the region.

Q & A

What is the survival gaming spot in Tokyo designed to resemble?

The survival gaming spot in Tokyo is designed to resemble a war zone.

Why might Japan's proximity to potential conflict be changing?

Japan's proximity to potential conflict might be changing due to the Japanese parliament approving a policy to allow its military to defend allies in other nations, potentially leading to troop deployments overseas.

What is the historical context behind Japan's pacifist constitution?

Japan's pacifist constitution was adopted after World War II when Japan was defeated and found guilty of war crimes by the Allies, leading the U.S. to force them to adopt a constitution that renounces war and bans offensive military capabilities.

What is the controversy surrounding Japan's new military policy?

The controversy is that the new policy allows Japan to defend allies in other nations, which is seen by some as a shift away from their pacifist constitution and a move towards militarization.

Who are the ultra-nationalists called 'Nippon Kaigi' and what do they advocate for?

Nippon Kaigi is a growing group of ultra-nationalists who have gained influence in Japan's government. They advocate for changing the constitution to allow for attack-capable forces.

What is the significance of Japan's 2017 military budget?

Japan's 2017 military budget is its biggest ever, indicating an expansion of military capabilities and a demonstration of their intent to strengthen their self-defense forces.

Why is the 'Izumo' ship controversial?

The 'Izumo' ship is controversial because it resembles a conventional aircraft carrier, which Japan is constitutionally banned from having. Critics argue that classifying it as a helicopter carrier is a violation of Japan's pacifist commitments.

What is the situation regarding the disputed Senkaku Islands?

The Senkaku Islands are the subject of an intensifying standoff between Japan and China, with nationalists from both countries frequently visiting the islands to assert their territorial claims.

What is the role of the Japanese Coast Guard in the disputed territories?

The Japanese Coast Guard plays a role in preventing civilian boats from reaching the disputed territories to avoid potential conflicts. They have been known to physically block boats and cite old fishing regulations to justify their actions.

What are the global implications if Japan were to engage in conflict?

If Japan engages in conflict, it would have major global consequences due to the post-war agreements that legally bind the U.S. to defend Japan.

How does Japan's military respond to Chinese planes in contested airspace?

Japanese fighters regularly patrol contested airspace, including over the Senkaku Islands, and are scrambled in response to Chinese planes. They maintain a tense waiting game, ready to engage if necessary, but adhering to a policy of not firing unless fired upon first.

Outlines

00:00

🎮 Survival Gaming in Tokyo

The script begins with the narrator entering a survival gaming spot in Tokyo, which resembles a war zone and is likened to paintball. It's noted that this is as close as Japanese citizens have come to combat in the past 70 years. The narrator discusses the possibility of Japan being invaded, with China being a potential aggressor due to historical conflicts. The conversation shifts to Japan's post-WWII pacifist constitution, which has confined the military to self-defense. However, recent parliamentary decisions have allowed Japan to defend allies overseas, marking a shift towards militarization. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is mentioned as a driving force behind this change, with critics fearing a return to war. The script also introduces ultra-nationalists who wish to change the constitution to allow for offensive military capabilities.

05:01

🚢 Japan's Military Expansion

The second paragraph delves into Japan's military expansion, with a focus on the JS Izumo, a helicopter carrier that resembles an aircraft carrier. Critics argue that its existence violates Japan's pacifist commitments. The narrator visits the carrier and compares it to a US aircraft carrier, questioning its potential to deploy fighter jets like the F-35. The script discusses the carrier's recent deployment with a US battleship as a show of strength towards China. The tension between Japan and China over the disputed Senkaku Islands is highlighted, with nationalists from both countries asserting their claims. The script also features an interview with a conservative talk show host who expresses concern over China's aggressive stance and the potential for conflict.

10:05

⚓️ Rising Tensions in the East China Sea

The final paragraph discusses the potential for conflict in the East China Sea, particularly around the disputed Senkaku Islands. The Japanese Coast Guard is shown intercepting civilian boats to prevent them from reaching the islands, citing old fishing regulations as a reason. The script suggests that local hostilities could escalate into a larger conflict with global consequences, given the US's legal obligation to defend Japan due to its pacifist stance. Retired Admiral Yogi Cota emphasizes the US-Japan alliance and the strategic deterrence it provides. The script concludes with a tense waiting game between Japan, China, and the US, with Japanese fighters regularly patrolling contested airspace and the potential for hostilities to erupt at any time.

Keywords

💡Survival Gaming

Survival gaming refers to a type of outdoor recreational activity that simulates combat situations, often resembling paintball. In the context of the video, survival gaming is used to introduce the theme of military simulation and war games, which parallels the real-life military exercises and strategies discussed later in the video.

💡Pacifism

Pacifism is the opposition to war and violence, advocating for peaceful resolutions to conflicts. In the video, pacifism is highlighted as a key aspect of post-war Japanese culture, stemming from their constitution which renounces war. The video discusses how this stance might be changing with new military policies.

💡Constitutional Commitment

A constitutional commitment refers to the obligations and principles that a country agrees to uphold as per its constitution. The video mentions Japan's constitutional commitment to pacifism, which has historically limited its military capabilities and actions, a point of contention in the narrative.

💡Self-Defense Forces

The Self-Defense Forces (SDF) are Japan's military organization, established under the post-WWII constitution to defend the nation. The video discusses the expansion and capabilities of the SDF, indicating a shift from a purely defensive stance to one that could potentially engage in offensive operations.

💡Militarization

Militarization is the process of organizing society along military principles or making something military in character. The video suggests a shift towards militarization in Japan, as evidenced by policy changes allowing for overseas troop deployments and increased military budgets.

💡Aircraft Carrier

An aircraft carrier is a large naval vessel designed to serve as a seagoing airbase, equipped with a full-length flight deck and facilities for carrying, arming, deploying, and recovering aircraft. The video discusses Japan's 'Izumo', which is a helicopter carrier that resembles an aircraft carrier, indicating a potential violation of Japan's pacifist commitments.

💡Ultra-Nationalism

Ultra-nationalism is an extreme form of nationalism that often advocates for aggressive national policies and superiority. The video mentions a growing group of ultra-nationalists in Japan who are pushing for constitutional changes to allow for offensive military capabilities.

💡Senkaku Islands

The Senkaku Islands are a group of uninhabited islands that are the subject of a territorial dispute between China and Japan. The video discusses the tension between the two countries over these islands, which is a significant factor in Japan's military stance.

💡China-Japan Relations

China-Japan relations refer to the diplomatic and political interactions between China and Japan. The video highlights the historical conflicts and current tensions between the two nations, which are driving factors in Japan's military policy and public sentiment.

💡US-Japan Alliance

The US-Japan Alliance is a bilateral treaty of mutual cooperation and security between the United States and Japan. The video explains that if Japan engages in war, the US is legally bound to defend them, illustrating the complexity of international relations and military commitments.

💡Territorial Dispute

A territorial dispute is a disagreement between two or more parties over the possession of land or maritime areas. The video discusses the territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands as a key point of contention between China and Japan, which could potentially escalate into conflict.

Highlights

Survival gaming in Tokyo designed to resemble a war zone.

Japanese citizens have had limited exposure to combat scenarios.

Japan's historical conflict with China and its implications.

Post-WWII Japan adopted a pacifist constitution, banning offensive military capabilities.

Japanese parliament's approval of a policy to allow military defense of allies.

Shift towards militarization in Japan under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Protests against Japan's military reforms, fearing a violation of constitutional pacifism.

Rise of ultra-nationalist group Nippon Kaigi influencing government policy.

Japan's 2017 military budget is the largest ever, indicating an expansion of capabilities.

Introduction of the JS Izumo, a ship resembling an aircraft carrier despite constitutional restrictions.

Critics argue the JS Izumo's classification as a helicopter carrier is misleading.

Japan's naval capabilities are growing, including joint exercises with the US.

Territorial disputes with China over the Senkaku Islands.

Nationalist demonstrations in Japan calling for a stronger stance against China.

Japanese Coast Guard's interception of boats near disputed islands to prevent conflict.

China's militarization of islands in the South China Sea and the regional response.

US commitment to defend Japan under the US-Japan alliance.

The potential for conflict between Japan, China, and the US, and its global implications.

Japan's self-defense forces are on high alert, ready to respond to any Chinese military actions.

Transcripts

[Music]

I'm walking into a survival gaming spot

it's kind of like paintball it's outside

Tokyo and it's clearly been designed to

look like a war zone when you have all

these guys and camel it looks like

American military cured konnichiwa for

the last 70 years this is about as close

as any Japanese citizen has come to

being in combat but if you ask the

locals here that might be about to

change

[Music]

you mean kind of what she must do for

you 420 not a bar

what does right just do you're

mentioning the idea that Japan could be

invaded who who would invade the country

wouldn't take any goodness at all nobody

you chew got you Paul IV not catching up

to you on it's not from China is so

obvious to these guys because the two

countries have a very long bloody

history

the last time they came to blows was

when Japan moving in China and the

run-up to World War two after Japan was

defeated by the Allies they were found

guilty of war crimes that included the

killing of millions of Chinese the u.s.

forced them to adopt a constitution

which pronounces war and banned them

from having any offensive military

capabilities since then pacifism has

become a part of post-war Japanese

culture with the military confined to

self-defense only but now that might be

changing today the Japanese parliament

approved a controversial policy to allow

its military to defend allies in other

nations clearing the way for troop

deployments overseas

this parliamentary resolution marked a

shift towards militarization this be a

push by japan's Prime Minister Shinzo

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his supporters argue that today Japan

needs stronger armed forces to defend

themselves from their powerful neighbors

and other global security threats

hundreds of thousands of Japanese have

protested avez reform efforts which they

say violate Japan's constitutional

commitment BISM they're legitimately

nervous that he dragged the country into

war why do you think this bill is

dangerous for the country JTAG on a

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[Music]

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but another loud voice is a growing

group of ultra-nationalist called new

punakaiki we've gained a lot of

influence inside of our base government

they want to go so far as to change the

constitution to allow for attack capable

forces akira momochi is the group

strategic advisor

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see this though as the first step in

preparing Japan to go to war propaganda

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the line between defense and offense is

starting to blur Japan's 2017 military

budget is its biggest ever and the

self-defense forces have demonstrated

that they're expanding their

capabilities on land in the air and at

sea this is the sumo it's one of Japan's

brand-new carriers there's a

constitutional ban against Japan having

aircraft carriers and so they actually

classify this as a helicopter carrier

the Izumo looks so much like a

conventional aircraft carrier that other

countries have complained that it's a

violation of Japan's pacifist

commitments

I'm on top of the outdoor elevator that

brings all the aircrafts from the hangar

up to the deck critics have said that

this carrier is only called a helicopter

carrier because it's against the

Constitution to have an aircraft carrier

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the hell she thinking it's good that do

you enjoy doing this I've been on a US

aircraft carrier before and this looks

pretty much exactly the same

could this transform into a carrier that

could deploy fighter jets like the f-35

we're gonna get there the Serenity no

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way accomplished it's good audited not

only did the ahjummas commander concede

that the ship could be converted into an

attack vessel but it was also recently

deployed alongside an American

battleship in nearby waters as a clear

show of strength these growing naval

capabilities are exactly what Japan

wants to project towards China

especially when it comes to their

intensifying standoff over a small group

of uninhabited islands

nationalists from both countries

frequently make their way out to the

islands to plant their country's flag

one regular visitor is Satoru mizushima

an influential conservative talk show

host thank you for having me nice to

meet you

[Music]

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a chemist that thank you for having me

you have a beautiful set here it was so

cool and all I'm not a high-ticket item

on this carry the more I behind us we

have videos of the Senkaku Islands what

is your opinion of what's going on there

right now between China and Japan what I

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would actually be realistic that war

could break out there between Japan and

China

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suspicion of an aggressive China appears

to be growing as Japanese nationalists

have also taken to the streets to demand

a much stronger stance toward China you

know there are hundreds of people here

and what they're all protesting is

Japan's relationship with China they're

all pissed off they're already

encroaching

[Music]

she looks so cool

we chartered a boat to the sink ah keys

to see the disputed territories

ourselves the Japanese Coast Guard

intercepted our boat and jumped on board

I think you are sure Oh first can I just

ask you why did you stop us I want to

talk to the captain

I understand yeah I'm just trying to

understand it it couldn't I don't think

we're breaking any breaking any laws no

Q human record in case a t9 user tonight

at all what does the ballgame the Coast

Guard cited in 80 year old fishing

regulation as grounds to turn us away

but based on their past actions they're

concerned that an instant in these

waters could spark an actual conflict so

much so that these same Coast Guard

vessels will physically block civilian

boats from reaching our hands

and the hostility on the water is

escalating China has been claiming

constructing and militarizing islands in

the nearby South China Sea

dangerously amping up tensions with the

US and its allies in Asia but if local

hostilities did boil over into conflict

it would have major global consequences

because the original post-war agreements

also stipulated that in return for

Japan's pacifism the u.s. is legally

bound to defend them we're committed to

the security of Japan and all areas

under its administrative control retired

Admiral yogi Cota was once the

commander-in-chief of Japan's

self-defense fleet he made it clear that

if Japan goes to war the u.s. is going

with them one of the fundamental reasons

why Japan maintains the us-japan

alliance if anything the aggression

happens toward Japan self-defense force

role is to repel those invaders no more

than that we can strike the homeland

Japan fully depends on the strategic

deterrence and strike capability on the

United States if China really goes for

the military action the cost they are

going to pay is very bloody they know

that

in Japan has the hardware and the

personnel to exact that cost are in

Japanese fighters regularly patrol

contested airspace including over the

Senkaku 's and they launch whenever they

see Chinese planes doing the same

scrambling their jets more than 1100

times last year alone it's a tense

waiting game between the world's three

largest economies and it could erupt

into hostilities at any time the closer

they come the more sensitive

would become and we send our fighters to

say hello we will not fire we will not

fire we can't unless they fire first

[Music]

[Music]