Japan is limited by it's post WW2 constitution (as required by the US); Japan does NOT have a military. Japan has a SELF DEFENSE FORCE. They are no longer allowed to fight wars; war is out-lawed. Japan has the right to defend themselves; hence...the Self Defense Force.

Japan has outlawed war (GEN Douglas MacArthur's directive during the occupation & reconstruction period after WWII). Japan is forbidden to fight wars or possess an army, navy or air force. They have instead, a SELF DEFENSE MARITIME FORCE, SELF DEFENSE GROUND FORCE, and a SELF DEFENSE AIR FORCE.

The point of the Permanent Members was also that they were the victors of WWII and the most powerful military nations. Japan was a destroyed loser.

Yes and no. Although Japan has three branches to its military, just as any other modern military, these are referred to as the Ground Self Defense Force, Maritime Self Defense Force and Air Self Defense Force. They are never referred to officially as an army, navy or air force because article nine of the Japanese constitution renounces Japan's sovereign right to war and forbids the use of force in resolving international disputes. So although there are military forces in Japan, admitting this would place Japan at risk of breaching the law. Instead Japan is allowed only the minimum military presence necessary to defend its independence, and must rely on protection from the US to protect itself further.

Since 1947, Japan's constitution (which we helped write) has forbidden the formation of a "traditional military force". They strictly have self defense.

And Japan's current army is called the Japanese Land Self Defense Force.

Japan Self-Defense Forces was created in 1954.