Japanese 'marines' launched, but much work needs to be done

Too late, but I hope not too little.

let them have their fun too

Japan already had a significant number of LCACs (hovercraft) and beach landing craft, so this is the logical step.

The US made AAV-7 is also about to be purchased.

A marine corps under command of the army rather than the navy, or as an independent branch is a little unusual though.

Our goal is to become the world's top-class amphibious operation unit,"

Whatever.. Do they really think that they are going to be better than the SEALs or the SBS??

Spend the money to promote friendship with China rather than they will become the first to die in conflict.

Our goal is to become the world's top-class amphibious operation unit,"

Whatever.. Do they really think that they are going to be better than the SEALs or the SBS??

I’m pretty sure he’s referring to other conventional amphibious units.

If he wants to beat the USMC, however, he’s gotta step up his game and start making the lower enlisted disgruntled and salty. My former job had me working closely with US and Japanese Forces, and I can say that Japanese soldiers are already at peer level to the US when it comes to alcohol consumption.

SchopenhauerToday 05:05 pm JST

Spend the money to promote friendship with China rather than they will become the first to die in conflict.

That would be a foolish waste of time and money as China will do what it wants to everyone including "Friends" who used to be enemies. Spending money on friendship will not stop China from taking the Senkaku's at the earliest possible time.

Robert Eldridge is correct that Japan mush show it owns the islands by building similar facilities on them to what china has done on the man made islands in the South China sea for "navigational safety" and to support claims to sovereignty. You can bet if China scares Japan away from them for even the shortest time it will begin its own construction there.

Marines are a beginning for an insurance policy on the Senkaku's.

I think their problem is that they HAVE modelled the new ARDB on the US Marines, which are more of a combined armour and mechanised infantry division than a traditional marines corps, which are meant to be a light and highly mobile assault force.

As for being the best... bit ambitious.

Any military force without combat experience to draw on is intrinsically weak, regardless of how much training it does. This flaw is however one that the Japanese constitution bars them from overcoming until it is too late.

@Thunderbird

Precisely. When was the last time the USMC actually did a beach landing? Incheon? Tra Nang?

The USMC hasn’t been a traditional Naval Infantry for decades, and are more a mechanized Infantry/strike unit now.

U.S. can withdraw from this area to the other side of the globe anytime but in case of Japan, we have to deal with China forever from geographical reasons. It is not a good idea to have serious issues with our neighbors. Using arms to solve a problem with neighbor is the last thing to do.

SchopenhauerToday 07:02 pm JST

U.S. can withdraw from this area to the other side of the globe anytime but in case of Japan, we have to deal with China forever from geographical reasons. It is not a good idea to have serious issues with our neighbors. Using arms to solve a problem with neighbor is the last thing to do.

Using arms to deter an aggressive neighbour however is the first thing to do. After that you can offer the hand of friendship from a position of strength.

Thunderbird2, interesting comment, hadn't realised USMC had changed so much. Certainly Japan's need is far different from that of the USA. Light quick reaction amphibious and air deployable forces would seem to best fit their strategic needs.

> I’m pretty sure he’s referring to other conventional amphibious units.

Our goal is to become the world's top-class amphibious operation unit,"

I’m not so sure- But I hope they give you ALOT of business mate!

BeerDeliveryGuyToday 05:09 pm JST

> If he wants to beat the USMC, however, he’s gotta step up his game and start making the lower enlisted disgruntled and salty.

In case you didn't know, the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment(WAiR), the core of this Brigade trains regularly with the United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance Unit and are considered MARSOC level.

They participate in the Annual Joint Military Training Iron Fist that first started in 2006.

https://news.usni.org/2018/01/15/iron-fist-2018-ramps-training-japan-readies-1st-amphibious-unit

To apply for the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment(WAiR) the candidates need to receive certificate of Ranger Training.

There is no free lunch, and this marine unit actually cost Japan dearly already.

Japan has abandoned the indigenous F-3 stealth fighter project due to a funding shortage primarily caused by this marine corp building.

It is not just the troop formation that costs, but the purchase of AAV-7s, construction of carriers to carry the troops to battle zone, F-35B purchases, etc.

This has put Japan in a perpetual disadvantage against its regional rivals China and Korea for air dominance, whose indigenous 5th gen fighters are progressing smoothly and will be produced in the hundreds. The J-20 has already entered service while the KFX is rolling out of factory in 2021.

What's even worse, there will be Chinese and Korean 6th gen fighters, but no Japanese 6th gen fighter because the Japan's military aerospace industry is finished.

Unbelievably great news! I salute Major Gen Aoki and his troops,protecting Japan daily and ready to assault in moments notice at the bully.Japan actually has a strong history in amphibious assault units, from Pacific War.

I ask all the PM Abe and Vice PM Aso haters this: would Japan have world-leading amphibious assault toops, if they were not running the Nation? No,we would have weak,pacifist leadership. Change Constituton.

It is great to see Japan's brave tough young men defending their nation!

"Japan has abandoned the indigenous F-3 stealth fighter project due to a funding shortage primarily caused by this marine corp building"

BS! The F-3 is on track.

As for the J-20 Here is some info:Makeshift engines in the J-20 mean that it cannot fly or fight as a true fifth-generation jet and that its stealth has been compromised.

As for the KFX it does not even come close to the F-3 and it is being co developed with Indonesia. Indonesia and Korea building a plane together? What a joke! The blind leading the blind. LOL

Farmboy- agree, that logo is pathetic. Why wings for an amphibious unit and the sword is out of some 3rd rate straight to video sword and sorcery film of the 1980's! Wholly unrealistic.