Reviving Japan's Military - Page 2

-{SpoonmaN}- · 01-17-2007, 23:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Officer of Engineers

They all hate the Japanese more than they fear China.

Korea yes. Taiwan I don't know, I'd imagine they're pretty darn scared of China right now. Now the Philippines on the other hand, the ordinary Filipinos I've met have all said they don't have an issue with Japan NOW, and they are a candidate for hostility from the People's Republic if things go sour there one way or the other, so I wouldn't be surprised if they saw a stronger JSDF as a useful ally in the event of a conflict over the Spratleys. As for us, I think the Government is pretty happy to see Japan step up to the plate so long as they don't get too confrontational with our Chinese pals. Really we are just trying to be a moderator between the PRC and the USA, so maybe we could assume a similar role between Japan and China.

Tronic · 01-18-2007, 00:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -{SpoonmaN}-

Nope, it can't. Like I said, I regard the bombing of Dresden, the looting, killings and rapes committed by the Red Army in Germany, the massacre of Japanese POWs in Borneo by our troops, the abandonment of the Polish Resistance by the USSR to all be major warcrimes committed by Allied powers.

And also put the nukes on there aswell...

Quote:

The firebombings of Tokyo could be on the list, although I do appreciate some level of necessity to those attacks, unlike Dresden and other raids that were carried out way past the time at which they were necessary or made any difference.

No, IMO, necessity cannot justify terror action. By that, Even Osama can argue that it was a necessity for him to kill 3000 civillians at 9/11...

Tronic · 01-18-2007, 00:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xrough

Even those who are conquered and destroyed?

well ethically, it depends if you are really responsible. If you massacred people before you're conquered and destroyed then yes; the fate the Germans and the Japanese met. Philippines, Burma, Thailand, and other SE Asian nations don't really have to apologize for anything that took place in World War 2 though....

xrough · 01-18-2007, 00:35 AM

Japan after WW2 granted Philippines loans and other development assistance to reconstruct the country..and about the Spratley Islands we have definitely no match with Chinese military to secure our claim over the Island..we just reply on deplomatic solution..good luck to the Philippines..

Ray · 01-18-2007, 01:12 AM

Shino Abe the Japanese PM is the one who made it his agenda to make Japan militarily cognisable without the cloak of PC.

Japan will probably test the waters by participating in international peacekeeping operations with combat troops. Maybe Article 9 of Japan's Constitution will have to be changed.

The change of Japan's attitude is not prompted by Japan's desire to return to Shintoism. It is the natural reaction to the growing threat in East Asia wherein North Korea has become a nuclear threat and the growing clout of the Chinese in the Pacific rim. In both the cases, there is no doubt that the US has nudged Japan to change its views toward militarism in spite of the Japanese population's sentiment in general of abhorring war!

There is also an underlining desire, again possibly nudged by the US, of having a close relationship with Taiwan and India.

Of course, the new alignment will not come overnight since all these nations are chary about any indication of military alignments!

**Officer of Engineers** · 01-18-2007, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -{SpoonmaN}-

Korea yes. Taiwan I don't know, I'd imagine they're pretty darn scared of China right now.

Taiwan has thus far refused any Japanese co-operation in its own military defence.

Zeng · 01-18-2007, 21:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xrough

Japan after WW2 granted Philippines loans and other development assistance to reconstruct the country..and about the Spratley Islands we have definitely no match with Chinese military to secure our claim over the Island..we just reply on deplomatic solution..good luck to the Philippines..

xrough,

I think that a joint development on the disputed island may be a good way to go. Joint development in the disputed areas is a much cheaper and effective way to handle the conflict than any military confrontations. The peace we enjoyed today is much more precious.

Please check the Philippine-China economical cooperation at:
Philippine News -- Manila Standard Today -- RP eyes $32b China loans -- june06_2006

xrough · 01-19-2007, 00:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeng_xinren

xrough,

I think that a joint development on the disputed island may be a good way to go. Joint development in the disputed areas is a much cheaper and effective way to handle the conflict than any military confrontations. The peace we enjoyed today is much more precious.

Please check the Philippine-China economical cooperation at:
Philippine News -- Manila Standard Today -- RP eyes $32b China loans -- june06_2006

If China wants to have a joint development of the islands..then they will remove their warships stationed there.

Ray · 01-22-2007, 14:18 PM

From Japan itself!

Quote:

Monday, Jan. 22, 2007

Unshackling Japan's defense

By KEIZO NABESHIMA

On Jan. 9 the Defense Agency was upgraded to full ministry status. At a ceremony marking the change, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said it was a major step from the "postwar regime" toward a foundation for national rebuilding.

The transformation, combined with the planned establishment of a National Security Council in the Cabinet Office, marks a turning point in Japan's security policy. The elevation to a ministry came 53 years after the Defense Agency and the Self-Defense Forces were established (1954).

Separately, the Abe administration succeeded in December in enacting the first revision of the 59-year-old Fundamental Law of Education. In the regular Diet session to convene this month, it will present legislation on procedures for a national referendum needed for constitutional amendments.

The administration has clarified its intent to reform the post-World War II constitutional system.

Defense is the nation's priority. Japan annually spends 4.8 trillion yen on national defense, which includes the 240,000-strong Self-Defense Forces. Even the main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan, supported legislation to upgrade the Defense Agency to a ministry.

The elevation reflects changes in the post-Cold-War security environment. East Asia faces the threat of North Korean nuclear arms and missiles, China's emergence as a major political and military power, on-and-off regional conflicts, and terrorism.

As the United States pushes the global reorganization of its military, U.S. forces and the SDF are promoting closer coordination. Amid the changing situation, ballistic missile defense and international peace cooperation are emerging as focal issues in Japan's security policy. There are three challenges for Japan's security policy:

International peace cooperation. Along with national defense, these activities are now among the main responsibilities of the SDF. In a speech to the North Atlantic Council in Brussels on Jan. 12, Abe said, "Japanese will no longer shy away from overseas activities involving the SDF if it is for the sake of international peace and stability."

He emphasized commitment to providing personnel for international peace cooperation "while adhering to the principles of the Constitution" -- apparently to allay concerns at home and abroad that Japan would be too quick to deploy the SDF overseas.

Enactment of a permanent law enabling SDF personnel and civilians to take part in peace cooperation activities overseas. In connection with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, special laws were enacted to make SDF deployment possible. Abe said at a news conference Jan. 4, "We must reconstruct a legal basis for security that befits the times."

In a speech to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Abe said his administration was discussing the "best form of international peace cooperation," including a general framework in which SDF and civilian personnel could participate. Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma, however, is reportedly taking a cautious position regarding the enactment of a permanent law. The government so far has failed to coordinate its position.

Exercise of the right to collective self-defense (the biggest challenge). This issue is emerging in connection with joint Japan-U.S. development of a ballistic missile defense system.

The Cabinet Legislation Bureau has maintained that under international law the state has the right to collective self-defense, but that under Article 9 of Japan's Constitution, the exercise of this right exceeds the limit of the minimum force level necessary for national defense, and thus is not permitted constitutionally.

Regarding possible changes in the interpretation, the bureau has said caution should be exercised in light of more than 50 years of Diet debate on Article 9.

In 2003, the chief Cabinet secretary announced the government's official position that the ballistic missile defense system is intended solely to defend Japan and will never be used to defend another country, and therefore does not create problems with the right to collective self-defense.

However, as North Korea develops the Taepodong missile capable of hitting the mainland U.S., there is growing frustration within the Bush administration with Japan's constitutional interpretation of the right to collective self-defense.

Abe said in a policy speech shortly after taking office last September that his administration will identify which specific contingencies appear to fall under the exercise of collective self-defense "so that the Japan-U.S. alliance functions more effectively." Missile defense is closely liked to the right to collective self-defense.

Abe's true intentions regarding the issue are unclear, but his remarks could signal a partial revision or expansion of the government's constitutional interpretation.

At the end of his European tour in January, Abe told reporters in Paris that "strong leadership" should be exercised so that Japan can build a mechanism for "expeditious decision-making" with regard to national strategy and the ability to address "various circumstances."

The Japanese Cabinet has an eight-member security council, chaired by the prime minister, but it is reportedly becoming a body with just a name.

It remains to be seen whether the proposed National Security Council will function effectively in Japan -- where the bureaucracy is strong but where political appointments and lawmakers well-versed in international security affairs are scarce -- without becoming redundant.

The question is whether Abe can present a future vision of Japan, demonstrate the role it should play in the world and then come up with a "grand design" for overhauling the existing regime, including the Constitution.
Keizo Nabeshima, former chief editorial writer for Kyodo News, writes on political and international affairs.
The Japan Times
(C) All rights reserved

Unshackling Japan's defense | The Japan Times Online

Zeng · 01-22-2007, 20:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xrough

If China wants to have a joint development of the islands..then they will remove their warships stationed there.

It is not “If”, it is a done deal and Chinese warships will continue to station there. But China and Philippine can put their dispute aside and start joint development. Please check the links below:

Convergence between Manila and Beijing over Spratly Islands :
PHILIPPINES - CHINA - VIETNAM Convergence between Manila and Beijing over Spratly Islands - Asia News

xrough · 01-22-2007, 21:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeng_xinren

It is not “If”, it is a done deal and Chinese warships will continue to station there. But China and Philippine can put their dispute aside and start joint development. Please check the links below:

Convergence between Manila and Beijing over Spratly Islands :
PHILIPPINES - CHINA - VIETNAM Convergence between Manila and Beijing over Spratly Islands - Asia News

How can you work for a joint development if you are surrounded by warships of the other?

Zeng · 01-22-2007, 22:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xrough

How can you work for a joint development if you are surrounded by warships of the other?

Check the link in my last comment. The joint development between China and Philippine in that area has been doing well for several years already. The Chinese warships will protect the joint development from terrorist attack. They also serve as rescue force if something goes wrong.

xrough · 01-22-2007, 23:20 PM

Chinese strategy to take the disputed Spratley...

South China Sea: Pact won't calm waters

Francois · 01-23-2007, 23:50 PM

Over the Spratleys (and about every ground or sea claimed by the PCC), China has stated a definite status of non-negociability.

And they will deal with the issues one at a time when they feel confortable enough.
Just see what they did with Vietnamese islands in 1974 and 1988.

Francois · 01-23-2007, 23:52 PM

When I count the number of ships China keeps sending to the Senkakus and right INTO Japanese waters, I would be in the Diet I would think something strange is happening in Chinese politicians mind.

01-18-2007, 01:12 AM	#20 (permalink)
Ray Postmaster General *Military Professional* Join Date: 08-20-03 Posts: 26,149 Country:	Shino Abe the Japanese PM is the one who made it his agenda to make Japan militarily cognisable without the cloak of PC. Japan will probably test the waters by participating in international peacekeeping operations with combat troops. Maybe Article 9 of Japan's Constitution will have to be changed. The change of Japan's attitude is not prompted by Japan's desire to return to Shintoism. It is the natural reaction to the growing threat in East Asia wherein North Korea has become a nuclear threat and the growing clout of the Chinese in the Pacific rim. In both the cases, there is no doubt that the US has nudged Japan to change its views toward militarism in spite of the Japanese population's sentiment in general of abhorring war! There is also an underlining desire, again possibly nudged by the US, of having a close relationship with Taiwan and India. Of course, the new alignment will not come overnight since all these nations are chary about any indication of military alignments! __________________ "Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination." I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to. HAKUNA MATATA

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01-18-2007, 00:35 AM	#19 (permalink)
xrough Contributor Join Date: 01-08-07 Location: Manila Posts: 746 Country:	Japan after WW2 granted Philippines loans and other development assistance to reconstruct the country..and about the Spratley Islands we have definitely no match with Chinese military to secure our claim over the Island..we just reply on deplomatic solution..good luck to the Philippines..

01-22-2007, 23:20 PM	#28 (permalink)
xrough Contributor Join Date: 01-08-07 Location: Manila Posts: 746 Country:	Chinese strategy to take the disputed Spratley... South China Sea: Pact won't calm waters

01-23-2007, 23:50 PM	#29 (permalink)
Francois *Defense Professional* Join Date: 08-18-05 Posts: 129	Over the Spratleys (and about every ground or sea claimed by the PCC), China has stated a definite status of non-negociability. And they will deal with the issues one at a time when they feel confortable enough. Just see what they did with Vietnamese islands in 1974 and 1988.

01-23-2007, 23:52 PM	#30 (permalink)
Francois *Defense Professional* Join Date: 08-18-05 Posts: 129	When I count the number of ships China keeps sending to the Senkakus and right INTO Japanese waters, I would be in the Diet I would think something strange is happening in Chinese politicians mind.

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