Coyner’s Comment:
If there ever was a stealth military, it has to be Japan’s armed forces. Even if its name, Self Defense Forces, suggests something less than what it is — and is routinely referred by its acronym, SDF. Nonetheless, Japan has one of the best trained, equipped and largest armed forces in the world. It’s personnel rarely wear their uniforms or fatigues outside of work and even more rarely do these forces enter into combat. As such, they remain virtually invisible.
As such, Japan’s military is routinely overlooked in many geopolitical reviews, but it is substantial and the military planners among Japan’s neighbors give the SDF the benefit of the doubt.
Below is a rare article on the SDF. As such it is worthy of at least a serious scan.
Military flexes relief might, gains newfound esteem
Uniformed forces win hearts, minds in war against nature’s wrath
By ALEX MARTIN
Japan Times
April 15, 2011
Click here to read article