Japanese Self-Defense Forces - The Third Service Branch

Early on, the maritime self-defense forces were very clearly the third-service branch in terms of priority. The presence of American troops was politically unpopular both because they were a symbolic reminder of Japanese defeat and some brutal crimes committed by U.S. troops during occupation. Any overseas military commitments would be politically dangerous; deaths could reopen debates around Article 9. Thus, spending on the other service branches could be used as a sign of Japanese commitment to playing its part in the American alliance.