What this lesson teaches
I can judge how China's and Japan's relations with the USA and the USSR changed during the Cold War.
Syllabus 8838, Theme II, Learning Outcomes. evaluate the development of China's and Japan's relations with the superpowers during the Cold War
Make a guess
As Japan grew rich, Americans complained it got security without paying for it. What do you think Japan spent on defence?
- About 1 per cent of its GNP, a ceiling set in 1976.
- Very little, leaving its defence to the USA.
- As much as the USA, measured as a share of income.
Show the answer
About 1 per cent of its GNP, a ceiling set in 1976.
Japan moved slowly. From 1978 it paid a growing share of US base costs, but it kept its own spending low.
The USA pressed Japan to do more for its own defence; Japan moved slowly, spending about 1 per cent of GNP until the late 1980s.
As Japan grew rich, Americans complained that it enjoyed security without paying for it. US pressure for burden sharing grew in the 1970s, especially after the Vietnam War, when the Nixon Doctrine asked Asian allies to do more.
Japan held defence spending to about 1 per cent of its gross national product. A cabinet decision in 1976 made this a formal ceiling. From 1978, Japan paid a growing share of the costs of US bases, known as host-nation support.
In the 1980s, as Soviet military power in the Pacific grew, Prime Minister Nakasone strengthened cooperation with the USA. He described Japan as an "unsinkable aircraft carrier" against Soviet bombers. Japan built up its role in guarding sea lanes up to 1,000 nautical miles, a pledge first made in 1981. In 1987 the 1 per cent ceiling was breached.
Even so, Japan avoided a combat role abroad. The alliance became closer, but Japan's contribution remained mainly financial and defensive.
- 1 per cent ceiling
- Defence spending capped at about 1 per cent of GNP from 1976; breached 1987.
- Host-nation support
- Japan pays part of US base costs from 1978.
- Nakasone
- Prime minister 1982-87: closer defence ties.
Real examples to use
The 1 per cent ceiling, 1976 to 1987
A 1976 cabinet decision capped defence at 1 per cent of GNP. The 1987 budget broke it, at 1.004 per cent, after 0.993 per cent the year before.
Nakasone's promise, January 1983
Visiting Washington, Nakasone said Japan would be an "unsinkable aircraft carrier" against Soviet Backfire bombers.
Sea-lane defence, 1981
Japan pledged to help guard sea lanes up to 1,000 nautical miles from its coast, a defensive task rather than combat abroad.
Worked example: Assessing alliance tensions
Was the Japan-USA alliance one of tension or cooperation?
- Tension: US complaints about free-riding and trade.
- Cooperation: host-nation support from 1978 and Nakasone's closer defence links.
- Limits: Article 9 and public opinion kept Japan's role defensive.
- Judgement: tension within a stable framework.
Watch out for this
Japan refused to contribute anything to its defence alliance with the USA.
Japan spent about 1 per cent of GNP on defence and paid a growing share of US base costs from 1978. It avoided only a combat role abroad.
Check your understanding
What did Nakasone mean by calling Japan an "unsinkable aircraft carrier"?
- Japan would serve as a barrier against Soviet forces in the Pacific.
- Japan would build aircraft carriers to attack the USSR in Siberia.
- Japan would leave the alliance and defend itself.
Show the answer
Japan would serve as a barrier against Soviet forces in the Pacific.
Right. It signalled closer defence cooperation with the USA.