Japan’s Move to Buy Airborne Tankers Draws Little Flak

After nearly two decades of debate over how Japan’s citizens and neighbors might react, parliament has given the thumbs up to in-flight refueling of the nation’s military aircraft.

The addition of four refueling aircraft to Japan’s Self-Defense Forces will expand the range of its 203 F-15s, which are now limited to flying about 2,500 miles. This will put most of East Asia and potentially the Middle East within range.

The airborne tankers, which are included in the latest five-year defense program, cost about $212 million each.

Japan is limited by its constitution to defensive weaponry and systems. East Asian neighbors have watched carefully any move they deem offensive, remembering Japan’s aggressive expansion before and during World War II.

Despite loud protests over the refueling issue from China and North Korea in the past, however, neighboring capitals have been noticeably quiet since the decision was announced late last week. Japanese citizens also have been mum--a reflection, analysts say, of a hardening attitude on defense issues since North Korea launched a missile over Japan’s main island in 1998.

Supporters argue that approval is overdue after 30 years of debate in defense circles and 15 years in parliament. About 25 countries have the capacity for in-flight refueling, including China, Indonesia and Singapore. And low-altitude flights and stealth technology make refueling essential for any country hoping to defend against an enemy that can evade radar and quickly retreat.

“The situation has changed, the times have changed, and technology has developed,” said Masao Akamatsu, foreign and national security director for the New Komeito, the most dovish of the three government coalition parties. “Patrolling needs to be done for longer periods, so this is necessary.”

That said, lawmakers haven’t taken any chances. Despite approval, the money won’t be spent until at least 2002, giving Japan time to ease any concerns.

Supporters have argued the environmental and humanitarian merits of refueling. Fewer landings and takeoffs reduce noise pollution, they say, and longer-range aircraft make it easier to rescue Japanese citizens or provide humanitarian aid to far-off locations.

The decision and the way it has been handled, however, have some critics howling.

“Japan has reached the point where it has everything--helicopters, AWACS planes and now refueling tankers,” said Tetsu Ueda, a defense expert and former member of parliament. “Japan has crossed the line from defense to offense in a major way.”

Although times change and there are occasions when past taboos need to be broken, he conceded, something this important requires a national debate that weighs Japan’s defense policy, the U.S.-Japanese security agreement, the constitution and the need for change. Instead, he said, the issue has been forced through under a false pretext.

“If they were really worried about humanitarian issues,” he said, “they should just buy the tankers and give them to the United Nations, which could then install seats in them to fly refugees around.”

Japan is taking other steps to alter its defense profile. It is debating a plan to upgrade the Japan Defense Agency to a defense ministry. Tokyo also makes no secret of its desire to build its own military aircraft, a move that the U.S. has opposed. And conservative voices, including the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper, argue that preemptive strikes against countries set to launch missiles against Japan would be justified under the constitution.

U.S. analysts, meanwhile, say there’s little opposition from Washington to Japanese refueling plans, especially given that the tankers would probably be modified Boeing 767s. The more difficult issue, most agree, is the perception of Japan’s neighbors.

“The World War II legacy is probably the toughest nut to crack,” said William Breer, Japan chair with the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

But military analyst Kazuhisa Ogawa said the tankers don’t threaten neighbors.

“Right now, an F-15 could fly to Beijing, drop a bomb and return to Japan. So what?” he said. “We cannot invade others even with 100 in-flight refueling aircraft, don’t have the structure to do it and don’t have the will.”

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Times staff writer Sonni Efron and researcher Makiko Inoue in Tokyo contributed to this report.