Japanese National Defence Policy

NATIONAL FACTORS WHICH AFFECT POLICY

Japan has a highly educated and a highly skilled labor force. Japan is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. In many fields, it is the world leader in technology. In no field, is Japan an also ran in technology. Approximately 7O percent of the country's population is of working age (15to64 years of age). Labor force growth is less than onepercent per year. Unemployment is not a serious problem, and has traditionally not been a significant problem.

Japan's natural resource base is limited. Its domestic crude oil reserves are minimal. Almost all of its crude oil requirements must be imported. Its domestic sources of coal, iron, and all other minerals are also extremely limited. Japan does have significant electrical generating facilities. In this context, however, the country must import most of the fuels required to run the generating facilities.

The country's principal natural resource is its population. The population of approximately 120 million has been stabilized at this level for more than a decade. The high levels of education and training which characterize the popula

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) machinery and transportation equipment, and (5) textile fibers. Japan's principal import trading partners (in trade value order) are (1) the United States, (2) Saudi Arabia, (3) Australia, (4) Indonesia, and (5) China. Japan's major economic problem area is its export surplus status with other industrial countries. The size and duration of this surplus threatens to spark trade restrictions by other industrial countries, particularly the United States (Prestowitz, 1988). US PRESSURES ON JAPAN A major segment of the population of the United States, probably a sizeable majority, and most of its national politi cians tend to view the country as a knight in shining armor, 4which is always acting on the side of right and justice. Thus, when other countries fail to perceive American actions in the same idealistic and, most often, unrealistic way, Americans become somewhat confused. When such countries make their "antiAmerican" ideas official, by such actions as casting votes in the United Nations in opposition to American positions, or by not adopting national defense policies consistent with American interests, Americansordinary citizen and politician alikeoften become angry, and demand cessation of American fina
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Approximate Word count = 1470
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

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