Japan’s Constitution was written after WWII in such a way as to
comfort the victorious allies that Japan would no longer be an international military
power. The Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) have been slowly evolving into a
force that can address threats abroad as well as threats to their Homeland.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has taken steps to broaden the rules of
engagement for the SDF. The Economist of April 17, 2019 had an article: “A new
front: Japan’s Self-Defence Forces are beginning to focus on China”. (see: https://econ.st/2Gvezbs which is also a photo
source).
Among the ‘psyacts’ undertaken by the SDF is country’s largest
warship, the Izumo (see: http://bit.ly/2KQws8Q,
another photo source). The defcyclopedia.com article covering the vessel showed
that the Chinese indeed were paying attention. “On
25 March 2015, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) commissioned
the JS Izumo (DDH-183), lead ship of her class and the largest surface
combatant of the JMSDF. Designated as a helicopter destroyer, the Izumo-class
was built as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) platform. With this new ship
reinforcing the Japanese arsenal, the Chinese quickly considered the ship as a
“war potential“, claiming that she was an “aircraft carrier in
disguise“. The ship indeed bears a strong resemblance to an aircraft
carrier, just like the previous Hyūga-class.
Other steps include the capabilities of their F-35 and dramatic
increases in cyber warriors from 150 to 500 over the next five years according
to the Economist.
Of course, the article also points out that according to one
Western diplomat “Japan has not fired a shot in anger in seven decades”. From a
PSYOP perspective, it’s pretty clear that the Chinese are sitting up and taking
notice whether or not Japan’s newly invigorated SDF ever fires a shot or takes
a casualty. After all, isn’t that why PSYOP is all about?
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