Rumiko Seya, Secretary General of the Japan Center for Conflict Prevention

Various types include national militaries and civilian units

This column, "Peace Classroom," will conclude with the next issue, so today's topic will be our last. Since I began writing this column in April 2008, I have had this final topic in mind. I suggest looking at "armed forces and peace."

Rumiko Seya

Born in Gunma Prefecture in 1977. Graduated from Chuo University and received an MA in Conflict Resolution from the University of Bradford in the UK. Specialist in post-conflict peacebuilding and reintegration of ex-combatants into society. In the past she held various positions in conflict areas, such as NGO staff (Rwanda), UN volunteer (Sierra Leone), Special Assistant to the Ambassador (Japanese Embassy, Afghanistan), and UN Peacekeeping Operations staff (Côte d'Ivoire). She became Secretary General of the JCCP in April 2007.

JCCP's website http://www.jccp.gr.jp/

What comes to mind when you hear the term "armed forces"? First, you may imagine an army that exists as part of a country's national system. In developed countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, the armed forces play a military role under the authority of the nation's leader, the president or prime minister.

On the other hand, there are countries where the army is in charge of governing the country, such as the military junta in Myanmar. The Japanese Self-Defense Force is not considered an armed force in Japan because it was established only for the protection of the nation. Internationally, though, it is often regarded as an armed force due to its role and size.

For certain operations, the armed forces of several countries come together. For instance, the United Nations peacekeeping operation (PKO) relies on the international cooperation of military units from many nations. PKO forces are assembled in order to help resolve conflicts and prevent the recurrence of fighting. Besides the UN, there are other cases in which peacekeeping units have been formed by the leadership of a particular region or an entity has created a multi-national force, such as members of the African Union dispatching units to Sudan and Somalia, and a NATO force established in Bosnia.

Unofficial armed forces also exist, such as armed anti-government forces, guerillas, militias, and mercenaries, who are soldiers hired to fight for a cause.

Some people believe that problems should be resolved before relying on soldiers to intervene. However, in the world today, many nations have armed forces because they think conflicts that cannot be negotiated can only be settled through military means or that an armed force is needed to prevent attack. In particular, countries bordering other nations, or countries with an internal dispute, may feel greater threats than the Japanese public are able to imagine.

Disarming the former national army of Afghanistan. (Photo by Rumiko Seya, 2003)

Armed forces also play different roles; some are designed to wage war while the mission of others is to end war and preserve security. What makes the distinction more difficult is that national armies aren't always in the right and anti-government forces aren't always in the wrong. Another problem is that terrorist groups can't be easily classified into "armed forces" or "civilians."

After the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, an American-led force was formed to conduct an air assault on Iraq and Afghanistan without the general consensus of the international community. It was criticized, too, for having a hidden agenda, namely protecting oil interests and profits. In Rwanda, 15 years before, a particular ethnic group was slaughtered under the government's command, resulting in more 800,000 dead. An anti-government force fought back against the military and was able to hasten an end to the bloodshed.

In Japan, there are several views in regard to armed forces. Some say "We shouldn't have the Self-Defense Force"; others believe "We should cooperate more with the United States militarily to prepare for threats posed by North Korea"; and still others insist that "We should strengthen the Self-Defense Force and stop relying on the United States for protection." Against this backdrop, the interpretation of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution has changed and recently we can see the Self-Defense Force on TV, on missions overseas.

For today's questions, let's consider what role armed forces should play in this changing world and what Japan should do about its own armed force.