Japan may deploy minesweepers off S Korea in war with North, U.S. admiral says

The military relationship between the United States and Japan couldn't be smoother. The intelligence exchange is very, very sophisticated. Japan has the only military forces in Asia that the U.S. doesn't slow down for.... The training (between the two countries) is more realistic to demonstrate deterrence. During the Korean War, 75 Japanese minesweepers were sent to Korea to make way for U.N. forces landing at Wonsan.

Japan may deploy or US will deploy? Is this admiral Japanese admiral?

"A likely tactic of the North in any conflict could be to mine the waters around Pusan"

That would likely be the end of North Korea.

toshiko

The admiral quoted is the U.S. Seventh Fleet's commander. The minesweepers that would be deployed would be Japanese and be commanded/controlled by the JMSDF who have a very proficient and effective minesweeping force which frankly is better than the U.S. Navy's. Any conflict on and around the Korean Peninsula which involves the DPRK would be fought by the United Nations. Japan, as a member which plays host to the United Nations Command-Rear (UNC(R)) and as a nation which would be directly and significantly affected by such a conflict nearby, would certainly support the U.N. forces in non-combat roles like supply, logistics, medical, and minesweeping.

NO! NO! NO! Japan must remain neutral and live by article #9. Do this would open Japan to attack by both the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea and the Peoples Republic of China. Lastly Abe what are you smoking? Republic of Korea hates Japan and the SDF does not want to fight and die for them.

Welcomed by the U.S. but criticized by China, the move also prompted concern both inside and outside Japan that Tokyo could revert to militarism.

Why must some people believe that Japan could revert back to militarism? They are a established modern country in the 21st century and there's about as much thread of Japan returning to militarism as there is Britain seeking to regain its empire.

Yuriotani, I hate to rain on your parade, but Japan has already sent minesweepers to the Korean Peninsula during the Korean War 1950/51. Except that it was a covert operation carried out by the US Navy using former Japanese Imperial Navy minesweepers and crew. One Japanese crewman even died. And this was without any reinterpretation of the J-constitution.

Shouldn't both the US and Japan be worried about China than North Korea?!?

Well, South Korea doesn't want it, nothing Japan can do then.

NO! NO! NO! Japan must remain neutral and live by article #9. Do this would open Japan to attack by both the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea and the Peoples Republic of China. Lastly Abe what are you smoking? Republic of Korea hates Japan and the SDF does not want to fight and die for them.

Being in a alliance means taking such risks - Japan has been free-riding for far too long and the US is getting less willing and capable to tolerate this.

Do you want the US to say they won't protect Japan b/c it would "open" them to attack by the DPRK and China?

South Korea is in better relation with China than with Japan, and they like North Korea more than Japan. In fact they hate Japan the most in the world according to their survey, and are intensifing Japan-bashing thanks to their anti-Japan education. Meanwhile Japan's relation with North Korea is improving a little bit. And this article says South Korea doesn't want Japan's entry. Japan has to take these things into consideration if a war breaks out there.

South Korea grow up it's the 21st century !!!!! You have no defense against the NK without the US and JAPAN. Forget you EGO ......

So sorry! I would never go to war for the Republic of Korea! Know a lot of others in the SDF that feel the same. Also there is no way to force members of SDF to fight for our chief foe Republic of Korea. They do not want our help in any condition. Japans best course is to go to defcon 2 and prevent the Americans from using their bases in Japan to help the South. If we get involved it could be the start of the "biggest cookout" in history. Remember Japan should act on learned knowledge and stay out of the affairs of other nations.