How large is the war potential of the Self-Defense Forces compared with military organizations in other countries?

In terms of defense budget, which was $39.5 billion in 2001, Japan ranks fourth after the United States ($322.3 billion), Russia ($63.6 billion) and China ($46 billion).
The United Kingdom, France and Germany follow (From Militaly Balance 2002-03 by the International Institute of Strategic Studies, London).
However, since the gross national product of Japan is extremely high, the ratio of the defense budcet to the GNP is only 0.95% for Japan.
This figure is 2.9% for the United States, 3.3% for South Korea, and 2.0% for France.