Arming Japan - by Michael Green (Paperback)

About the Book

Michael Green explores the evolution of the kokusanka debate and the indigenous development and production of weapons of war, lucidly outlining the question of Japanese political and military autonomy in the postwar era.

Book Synopsis

Despite its Peace Constitution and close security ties to the United States, Japan designs and produces an extensive array of high-tech missiles, tanks, warships and aircraft. As much as these weapons are a testimony to the advancement of Japanese technology, they are also powerful symbols of the potential for Japanese political and military self-reliance. Yet, despite all of the advanced military hardware, Japan has not developed an autonomous military-industrial complex in the post-World War II period.

Review Quotes

Arming Japan is a very helpful addition to the literature, taking us beyond the narrower issue of Japan's defence policy and grappling with the more complex questions of how a nation's defence and security interact with its domestic industries....This is a compact book, concisely argued, very well researched and documented, drawing on a wealth of Japanese materials. It poses starkly a fundamental dilemma that Japan has had to confront throughout the postwar period-how 'independent' can it be in its defence and security policies? For these reasons, this book could make an excellent classroom text or discussion piece, and it is strongly recommended. It is, as one expects from Columbia, very well produced.--Alan Rix, University of Queensland "Asian Studies Review"

Reflects Green's expertise in Japanese politics, an understanding of the bureaucratic culture, and great skill at unraveling the nuances of the difficult and subtle Japanese language.... Arming Japan represents a real contribution to the literature on U.S.-Japan relations, Japanese politics and government, and international security policy.-- "The American Academy of Political and Social Science"

Rich in insight and coverage, and has made an important contribution to our knowledge of the political economy of Japanese military procurement policy.-- "Canadian Journal of Political Science"

Green moves to the forefront of a new generation of Japan scholars, fluent in Japanese, sophisticated in alliance politics and dedicated to asking the right questions on both sides of the Pacific. Here, at last, is a brilliant analysis of how 'techno-nationalism' drives Japan's strategic view of the world.--George R. Packard

About the Author

Michael J. Green is Olin Fellow for Asian Security at the Council on Foreign Relations.