August
10, 1950
Keisatsu
Yobitai (National Police Reserve created
One month after General Douglas MacArthur authorized
partial Japanese rearmament on July 8, 1950, the National Police Reserve (Keisatsu
Yobitai) was formally created.
Deprived of any military capability after 1945, Japan had
only the U.S. occupation forces and a minor domestic police force on which to
rely for security. Rising Cold War tensions in Europe and Asia, coupled with
leftist-inspired strikes and demonstrations in Japan, prompted some
conservative leaders to question the unilateral renunciation of all military
capabilities. These sentiments were intensified in 1950 as occupation troops
began to be moved to the Korean War (1950–53) theater. This left Japan virtually
defenseless, and very much aware of the need to enter into a mutual defense
relationship with the United States to guarantee the nation's external
security. Encouraged by the American occupation authorities, the Japanese
government in July 1950 authorized the establishment of a National Police
Reserve, consisting of 75,000 men equipped with light infantry weapons.
Born in 1950?
Then congratulations on entering the world of
Medicare. Like to know more … click
here
