Question

Given that Japan was left with minimal defenses after the war, how has it protected itself?

Its military reserves primarily provide protection.
Its police force acts as a protective force.
US military bases in Japan provide protection.
Allied forces coordinate protection.

Answer 1

Correct answers: 2 and 3.

- Its police force acts as a protective force — Yes. Immediately after WWII Japan relied on police and the National Police Reserve (later evolved into the Self-Defense Forces) for internal security and limited external defense roles.
- US military bases in Japan provide protection — Yes. The U.S.–Japan Security Treaty and large U.S. bases in Japan have been the main pillar of Japan’s external defense.

Why the others are wrong:
- Its military reserves primarily provide protection — No. Japan’s active Self‑Defense Forces (and the U.S. security guarantee) — not reserves alone — are the main military capability.
- Allied forces coordinate protection — No. Protection has been primarily bilateral with the United States rather than a multilateral “allied forces” coordination.