Japan, A New Player In The Game - Again?

[Big Guy]

While the focus of the world is on the Middle East there are interesting things happening with Japan. First, in May, the USA clarifies Its support for Japan’s recent moves to strengthen its military.

http://english.cntv.cn/2014/05/10/VIDE1399672681776978.shtml

Then yesterday, Japan’s cabinet approved a “reinterpretation” of the country’s pacifist postwar constitution that will allow the military to help defend allies and others “in a close relationship” with Japan.

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/07/01/japan_expands_role_that_military_is_allowed.html

The Japanese Constitution ratified in 1947 was created to guarantee that Japan could no longer in the future be involved in military conflict. The Constitution was considered remarkable and famous for the renunciation of the right to wage war.

Very slowly and quietly the Japanese empire is rebuilding its military capability. It seems that since WWII, Japan has become a good guy and can be trusted now to protect American and Japanese interests. The excuse for this military build up is the increasing power of China.

The movement towards militarization does not appear popular with the Japanese people and protests are increasing.

Is allowing Japan to rearm a good or bad idea?

Should Japan be allowed nuclear capability if it is going to be a good guy “friend” to the West?

Wht would the Japanese government be going in a direction towards military might – a position not supported by the people of Japan?

[GostHacked]

This does seem to give Japan a 'first strike' option in some fashion. In order to protect those 'interests'. This dramatically changes the military and how it will operate globally. I don't think anyone needs the bomb. But I don't trust the Japanese to be all on the up and up with things related to nuclear (Fukushima cover up) power, let alone nuclear weaponry.

It does make sense that they would want to beef up things to buffer and counter China regarding some of those contested land claims.

Why are more nations turning to this type of action or hold that mentality? Everyone gearing up for something big?

Less weapons and war would be nice. Seems we have had perpetual war since ....

[TimG]

Is allowing Japan to rearm a good or bad idea?

There is no "allow" or "not allow". Japan is faced with a real military threats from China. It needs to be able to defend itself. The real question is whether Japan will fill the void left by the US by authorizing the use of force to assist its allies. The problem is today Japan is prohibited from doing this because of its constitution and this undermines Japan's ability to develop alliances with other Asian democracies that do not depend on the US.

Should Japan be allowed nuclear capability if it is going to be a good guy “friend” to the West?

Again, there is no "allow" or "not allow". Japan can build a bomb today but chooses not to because it believes in the US promises to support it militarily in any conflict with China. If the US shows signs of waffling on its commitment to Japan then the Japanese will need to have nukes and no one can stop them since they already have the technology and massive stock piles of weapons grade plutonium.

In short, the changes in Japan are a sign that the Japanese are losing confidence in the US.

It also should be a reminder to people who love to despise the US that US military might probably prevents more conflicts than it creates simply because it exists as a credible threat.

Edited July 2, 2014 by TimG

[Bonam]

Very slowly and quietly the Japanese empire is rebuilding its military capability. It seems that since WWII, Japan has become a good guy and can be trusted now to protect American and Japanese interests. The excuse for this military build up is the increasing power of China.

The movement towards militarization does not appear popular with the Japanese people and protests are increasing.

Is allowing Japan to rearm a good or bad idea?

Should Japan be allowed nuclear capability if it is going to be a good guy “friend” to the West?

I think both of WWII's main aggressor's, Germany and Japan, have now for a long time demonstrated that they can be trusted at least as much as any other of our allies. I would not oppose Japan acquiring a stronger military or, for that matter, nuclear weapons. I also think it's silly to refer to Japan as the "Japanese Empire"...

Wht would the Japanese government be going in a direction towards military might – a position not supported by the people of Japan?

That seems fairly clear... North Korea and China.

Edited July 2, 2014 by Bonam

[Derek 2.0]

Then yesterday, Japan’s cabinet approved a “reinterpretation” of the country’s pacifist postwar constitution that will allow the military to help defend allies and others “in a close relationship” with Japan.

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/07/01/japan_expands_role_that_military_is_allowed.html

The Japanese Constitution ratified in 1947 was created to guarantee that Japan could no longer in the future be involved in military conflict. The Constitution was considered remarkable and famous for the renunciation of the right to wage war.

The Japanese Constitution places very little restraint on what is deemed acceptable levels of “defensive armament”……….

Very slowly and quietly the Japanese empire is rebuilding its military capability. It seems that since WWII, Japan has become a good guy and can be trusted now to protect American and Japanese interests. The excuse for this military build up is the increasing power of China.

The Japanese, going back to the Cold War, have had one of the most modern and capable militaries on the planet……There are very few countries that have an equal or better situated navy or air force then the Japanese...........

There is no "excuse", for the threat of the Soviet Union during the Cold War was just as real as the Chinese today.

The movement towards militarization does not appear popular with the Japanese people and protests are increasing.

Do you have a source?

Is allowing Japan to rearm a good or bad idea?

Should Japan be allowed nuclear capability if it is going to be a good guy “friend” to the West?

My personal opinion, having been both to Japan and exercising with their military, I fully support any policy their elected Government feels is in it’s own interests.

Wht would the Japanese government be going in a direction towards military might – a position not supported by the people of Japan?

Again, I’ve yet to see any real level of dissent against the Government’s decisions (which would go against cultural norms) on military preparedness over the decades……..not saying there isn't, I just don't know of any, could you provide a source indicating this please?

[bush_cheney2004]

...Is allowing Japan to rearm a good or bad idea?

Should Japan be allowed nuclear capability if it is going to be a good guy “friend” to the West?

Japan has been well armed for a very long time....I personally helped to manufacture and test weapons bound for Japan...lots of 'em. This is more of a policy decision more than an arms race. Even with the previous limits, Japan had more offensive capabilities than Canada, which had no such constitutional restrictions and has engaged in recent foreign military actions.

[Derek 2.0]

Japan has been well armed for a very long time....I personally helped to manufacture and test weapons bound for Japan...lots of 'em. This is more of a policy decision more than an arms race. Even with the previous limits, Japan had more offensive capabilities than Canada, which had no such constitutional restrictions and has engaged in recent foreign military actions.

Exactly, and after PACFLT, the most capable navy in the Pacific for decades.....

[Wilber]

What Japanese Empire? Where is this empire?

[-1=e^ipi]

How is this even controversial?

If anything, the reinterpretation doesn't go far enough. The clause should be completely eliminated. Japan should be able to help allies and have offensive military capability.

And I don't think it is fair to call the reinterpretation unpopular. Japanese society is certainly divided, but there is a large segment of the population that supports reinterpretation (otherwise Shinzo Abe wouldn't be able go to ahead with the reinterpretation).

[monty16]

Who cares if Japan becomes a nuclear armed ally of the US? It's as vulnerable as Great Britain to one large nuke. And there's nothing that is going to intimidate China and Russia from this point on.

Russia is showing that it's going to hold the line and China undoubtedly will to. It's now a simple matter of the rest of the world aligning with the US, or, the US deterrents with nukes.

This is the most interesting aspect of it because the US has lost it's credibility and no longer can claim the high road. World peace will be maintained in Asia and it will be maintained n the ME too when the Arab Muslim countries get their nuclear deterrent to US aggression.

So I'm hoping just as avidly For Iran obtaining nuclear weapons as Bonam is hoping that Japan does likewise!

Edited July 3, 2014 by monty16

[On Guard for Thee]

Who cares if Japan becomes a nuclear armed ally of the US? It's as vulnerable as Great Britain to one large nuke. And there's nothing that is going to intimidate China and Russia from this point on.

Russia is showing that it's going to hold the line and China undoubtedly will to. It's now a simple matter of the rest of the world aligning with the US, or, the US deterrents with nukes.

This is the most interesting aspect of it because the US has lost it's credibility and no longer can claim the high road. World peace will be maintained in Asia and it will be maintained n the ME too when the Arab Muslim countries get their nuclear deterrent to US aggression.

So I'm hoping just as avidly For Iran obtaining nuclear weapons as Bonam is hoping that Japan does likewise!

Ain't nobody gonna trust Iran with anything nuclear beyond energy production.

[Shady]

You gotta love the company that monty keeps. Russia, China, and Iran. The most brutual, repressive, anti-freedom and anti-democratic countries in the world. Way to go monty!

[monty16]

And I love the company that you keep too Shady. The US, which has gone to war with over 30 small countries in the years since the end of WW2. The Amerinazi regime that went to war with Iraq based on lies. The country that has far eclipsed Russia or Iran or any other country in the world in it's evil aggression. the country that bombs civilians with huge WMD while at the same time pretending to protect the world from Iraq's missing WMD's.

Way to go Shady.

[Shady]

And I love the company that you keep too Shady. The US, which has gone to war with over 30 small countries in the years since the end of WW2. The Amerinazi regime that went to war with Iraq based on lies. The country that has far eclipsed Russia or Iran or any other country in the world in it's evil aggression. the country that bombs civilians with huge WMD while at the same time pretending to protect the world from Iraq's missing WMD's.

Way to go Shady.

Right. Hey monty, if you're a woman, gay, or a minority, which country would somebody live better in? America, Russia, China, or Iran?

If one wants to speak out against their government, which country would one have an easier time doing so in?

[monty16]

I have no interest in discussing that which is off topic and only you think is important here.

[Shady]

I have no interest in discussing that which is off topic and only you think is important here.

Do you agree with the Iranian government that there are no gay people living in Iran. None at all. Do you agree?

[monty16]

Of course I agree Shady, but once again, take your sexual fantasies to another section and start a new topic with the forum's homosexuals. I trust everything and all that Iran says. Allahu Akbar! The force be with you.

[Shady]

Of course I agree Shady.

You agree that there are no gay people in Iran?

[Shady]

Of course I agree Shady, but once again, take your sexual fantasies to another section and start a new topic with the forum's homosexuals. I trust everything and all that Iran says. Allahu Akbar! The force be with you.

And why would you trust everything and all any government says?

[On Guard for Thee]

I have no interest in discussing that which is off topic and only you think is important here.

Look's like Shady blew you right off the rails. or did the cat just get your tongue?

[monty16]

Because Shady, all ME Arab government tell the truth all the time. It's the Zionists we have to worry about. Or, if you don't agree with that then tell us what you would like to hear. I can fix it to suit your preferences too.

Edited July 3, 2014 by monty16

[GostHacked]

You agree that there are no gay people in Iran?

Off topic Shady. This is Japan, not Iran.

[-TSS-]

In the modern world the countries the size of Japan are even expected to have a high profile role in the world, which is a code-word for meddling in other countries' affairs. If a big country prefered to keep to itself it would be castigated by the international community for failing to "act its size".

[TimG]

In the modern world the countries the size of Japan are even expected to have a high profile role in the world, which is a code-word for meddling in other countries' affairs. If a big country prefered to keep to itself it would be castigated by the international community for failing to "act its size".

Japan has been expected to provide trillions in foreign aid over the years because of its status as a large wealthy country. It is castigated if it tries to turn off the money taps.

[GostHacked]

Japan has been expected to provide trillions in foreign aid over the years because of its status as a large wealthy country. It is castigated if it tries to turn off the money taps.

The money is not there to begin with.