3.11 AND PUBLIC OPINION OF THE JAPANESE SELF-DEFENSE FORCES: TRENDING TOWARD NORMALIZATION?
Loading...
Authors
Kennedy, Veronica M.
Subjects
Japan
Self Defense Force
SDF
Civil-military relations
tsunami
earthquake
Fukushima
3.11
public opinion
normalization
militarization
remilitarization
securitization
humanitarian assistance
disaster relief
HA/DR
Self Defense Force
SDF
Civil-military relations
tsunami
earthquake
Fukushima
3.11
public opinion
normalization
militarization
remilitarization
securitization
humanitarian assistance
disaster relief
HA/DR
Advisors
Weiner, Robert J.
Date of Issue
2018-09
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
When the largest earthquake ever recorded in Japan’s modern history struck on the afternoon of March 11, 2011 (3.11), the resulting tsunami and nuclear disaster contributed to the crisis quickly spinning out of control. While the central government’s reaction was lambasted by the media and the public, the positive reception of the Japanese Self-Defense Force’s (SDF) response efforts represented a possible shift in the place and perception of the organization. This research seeks to find what lasting effect, if any, 3.11 had on public opinion toward the SDF. It also investigates whether any such potential shift has an observable impact on Japan’s recent moves toward apparent normalization. It analyzes the events and trends during and following 3.11 as well as those surrounding comparable disasters in Japan’s past. Several modern case studies from disasters in Chile, Indonesia, and China are also analyzed to see if 3.11 can serve as a useful marker for determining shifts in civil-military relations in Japan and perhaps beyond. Findings reveal that 3.11 caused enduring positive trends in the SDF’s popularity even several years after the crisis as well as a recruitment surge in the years following. While overall changes in hard numbers and statistics were ultimately noteworthy yet modest, 3.11 and several of the case studies most importantly revealed an underlying and perhaps unmeasurable tectonic improvement in the relationship between the public and the SDF.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.