Post-World War II Japan’s Defense Buildup Plan and the Function of Industry Associations in Rebuilding the Military Industry

SHIRATO SHIN-ICHI

doi:10.69267/rihgat.2024.1_81

We will examine not only what kind of Japan–U.S. relationship was built through the strengthening of the defense capabilities of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces from the end of World War II to the 1970s but also how Japanese industry groups responded to it during that period. The rearmament of Japan by the Self-Defense Forces was carried out under the strong control of the United States, based on the Japan–U.S. Security Treaty. In addition, the beginning of the Cold War and the Korean War caused a major shift in the U.S. occupation policy. The United States initially provided many arms for free for the creation of the Self-Defense Forces and for the enhancement of defense equipment, but to restrain the outflow of money, it switched from a policy of free to paid armament. In response to this policy shift towards strengthening self-defense capabilities, Keizaidantai Rengokai(Keidanren) and Nihon Heiki Kogyokai tried to achieve economic growth and acquire more advanced technology by taking advantage of the special demand and the business opportunity of building up the defense capabilities of the Self-Defense Forces. The “Domestic Production” of arms was important for these groups. However, even though it is called “domestic production”, advanced technologies used in fighter planes and other equipment were mainly licensed, including important parts like black boxes. Therefore, Japan was a long way off from technological independence.

Post-World War II Japan’s Defense Buildup Plan and the Function of Industry Associations in Rebuilding the Military Industry

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