2019 Volume 25 Pages 18-34
This paper, first clarifies the close relationship between the military and finance drawing on the ideas proposed by military fiscal theory and Japanese economic theory. Second, the significance of the Henoko Fund, launched in 2015 in Okinawa, Japan is considered. The Henoko Fund was established to support opposition to the construction of the new Henoko military base by many small donations from people from Okinawa and beyond.
Various government activities, including those carried out by the military, are undertaken in the public interest of the whole nation. Nevertheless, activities that are supposed to be in the public interest are being replaced by those in the capital interests of the military industry. In addition, military bases that harm the natural and living environment have been built and maintained in an undemocratic way by using various government subsidies. Furthermore, Japan’s current financial system centered on savings has also been used to develop military-related industries. The lack of a transparent relationship between the funder（taxpayer and depositor）and the recipient of the funds（such as the military industry or local governments hosting bases）facilitates a military-first national security policy including the construction of the new Henoko Base.
The Henoko Fund supports opposition to the national security policy of the military by citizens through donations. It is an attempt to give voice to local concerns about military policy which is conventionally considered a national issue. The military is funded by centralized finance. On the other hand, the Henoko Fund demonstrates that finance, including donations, can provide a new possibility for citizen involvement, and is potentially more morally justifiable than centralized finance.
