Supporting the American Military’s Involvement in Asia

The Obama administration is suffering from economic difficulties and is trying to cut some big corners on its national defense budget. Along with this is the question of how America can get a foothold in Asia, where it is so sorely needed, to maintain stability? Even Japan is at the point where they need to give this issue serious consideration.

Director of the CIA Leon Panetta has assumed the position of secretary of defense. His suitability for the role is not necessarily reflective of his expertise, but he is valued as having administrative management abilities. Improving the performance of the military and minimizing the national defense budget are his main objectives.

The concern is that they are trying so much to reduce the defense budget that the U.S. military’s involvement is Asia is weakening as a result. President Obama said that his goal was to shave a total of $400 billion (¥32 trillion) off the budget by the fiscal year 2023.

However, with China’s powerful steps forward, tension is mounting over the interests of the South and East China seas. In the end, only the U.S. military can secure stability in Asia.

In order for Japan and other Asian countries to maintain the stability around the Asian seas and Korean peninsula, they must start to appeal to America to become more deeply involved. Of course, I can’t really say that doing only that will be enough. There are also many things that need to be done in Japan so that America’s involvement in Asia does not quickly run out of momentum.

For one thing, with the large quantity of PC3 patrol aircraft used by the Japan Self-Defense Forces, Japan should take over America’s reconnaissance, vigilance and intelligence gathering activities around its adjacent seas. That way the U.S. military can channel its strength into other areas.

There are already plans to capitalize on the core links that Japan and America have forged with Australia, Korea and India. If they increase joint training and maneuvers, bringing other Southeast Asian countries into the fray, the U.S. military’s burden will be lighter and its presence in Asia will be more strongly felt.

The curtailment of America’s budget also casts a shadow on the pending problem it has with Japan on relocating [Marine Corps Air Station] Futenma. Debates within the U.S. Congress have arisen concerning the reevaluation of the current relocation plan. With this, the costs of relocating the Marine Corps to Guam, which have already been worked out, are bound to swell enormously.

If the current plan is scrapped, then it will feel as though Futenma will never be relocated. Japan must do something soon for the progress of relocation, to try and prevent Mr. Panetta from being swayed by the insistence of the U.S. Congress.