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Japan opens up combat positions to women

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Interesting they present this as an agenda instead of first training the males to learn how to fight, since none of the enlisted men or commissioned men in the jsdf have ever been in combat.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Just another step toward militarization. The last time this happened, due to a combination of blind servitude and corrupt, extremist and fanatical leadership, it brought devastating results to Japan and the far beyond. What makes people think it will be any different this time around?

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

What makes people think it will be any different this time around?

That's the thing, people don't think!!

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

It is a natural development. More women work in general. And more electronic gears and automations are in use that it does not matter if they are controlled by male or female. What doe it make difference if a finger that puses a button is female or male?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

In a time of joshi power, most of my girls students would have the boys for breakfast. More awake, more lively, more competitive , more communicative. Might as well arm them up as well ay!

8 ( +8 / -0 )

I would be willing to do my bit if called upon. After all, as a singleton, by choice, I should step forward. Women with children should be exempt. Fathers too.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Why should only men have the privilege of being shot at and killed on the battlefield? Equal rights!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Just stupid. Women generally less physically capable then men, and in real combat situation they can put their unit in danger. Israeli Army, one of the world's leaders in integration of women into military, several years ago tested the possibility of allowing women to serve in tank and artillery units, and they were not happy with the results.

Military should stay in business of defending the country, not politically correct experiments.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

It is just another social experiment until the time that men and women compete against each other in ANY sport. Once there is no difference in sports, then it would be safe to move on to life and death type things.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Well, with reports of how hostile and mean they become post marriage, sounds like they will make outstanding soldiers.

Onna Bushi!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I wonder how the pay will compare - will the women be paid the same?

I also wonder what steps they have taken to prevent sexual harassment and assaults?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Good initiative, although giving women equal work opportunities in the workplace is one thing, ensuring they get as much respect as men is a totally different story.

Let's just hope J army does better than most Western countries where male soldiers often abuse, bully or even rape their female counterparts (as well as 'weaker' men) with total impunity.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Women generally less physically capable then men, and in real combat situation they can put their unit in danger.

I agree to an extent. For example, they shouldn't be in an infantry position if they can't carry the same loads or carry their fellow infantryman. In positions where size and strength do not matter for the job, I see no reason to discriminate. There are plenty of scrawny men in the military, and by your perspective, they put their unit in danger. Physical tests should not be dumbed down to make things equal for jobs that require physicality.

Not allowing women on subs because of potential radiation is a joke. They should have just stuck with the lack of privacy as a reason. What? Men are immune from radiation and don't want to have kids. The military needs to change its way of thinking that women are considered to be a protected sex, or that men will take unnecessary risks to protect women in combat.

The fact is women are in the military and like their male counterparts the majority serve with honor.

What you don't want is to create a sub-class of military that is wholly exempt from combat. That happened when the U.S. invaded Panama. Women soldiers who were drivers refused to drive troops to combat resulting in combat troops not getting to where they were needed in time.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

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-3 ( +0 / -3 )

What Asakaze said is spot on!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

There are plenty of scrawny men in the military, and by your perspective, they put their unit in danger Men are more simple to be brought up to better physical shape then women. It's Mother Nature, pure and simple, thousands of years of human development. And don't forget about women's, ummm, special days, when they definitely will be a liability to their unit.

And I completely fail to understand how the decision to allow women be engaged in combat operations can help Japan with its declining birthrate.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

As long as they are willing and not drafted then I suppose its in line with modern modernization. However their will be social implications. I for one would not be very pleased if I were in battle and had to kill a much smaller weaker lady who was in my way. This always has been considered an atrocity, way back even in mans early times. I am not convinced that men being turned loose to kill women as fellow combatants and being taught that its alright is a good thing for humans. We really are bad enough you know.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Am I the only person who suspects the real reason is not equality or whatever, but a shortage of suitable volunteers?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

shortage of men who want to join JSDF xreated equal job opportunities for women.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Either they opened up the mind or have a problem drafting enough man.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

AgentX Apr. 19 08:02 am JST Just another step toward militarization. The last time this happened, due to a combination of blind servitude and corrupt, extremist and fanatical leadership, it brought devastating results to Japan and the far beyond. What makes people think it will be any different this time around?

Do you really need a history lesson covering 1945 to 2017? Unlike pre-1945 Japan has been a democracy from before you were born.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

And I completely fail to understand how the decision to allow women be engaged in combat operations can help Japan with its declining birthrate.

So, women have a role to play? And that role is to make babies?

Why even allow women to work? They should be in bed conceiving or waiting to give birth.

The fact is that Japanese women tend to outperform their male counterparts because the men live a lazy and comfortable life.

I am not convinced that men being turned loose to kill women as fellow combatants and being taught that its alright is a good thing for humans. We really are bad enough you know.

Yes, war is sooo civilized. We wouldn't want to disturb someone's piece of mind. A male friend blown to pieces is much easier to live with than a female friend blown to pieces.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Great news! This opens up a whole range of career opportunities for women to explore. Japan should go further and adopt an Israeli armed forces type system where there is a heavy focus on technical development and even tech incubators for skills developed while serving

0 ( +1 / -1 )

If they can meet the physical standards for each particular specialty, why not? If they can't, they can't. As long as the politicians don't start playing around with the standards for various combat positions in an effort to encourage volunteers, it may be a good idea. If the ladies can physically perform up to the required level, great.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Viking 68

I guess you are hoping for the dark ages all over again.

You probably have never been in a war zone. Anyways interesting to know you can't differienciate between killing a man or a woman.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

You probably have never been in a war zone. Anyways interesting to know you can't differienciate between killing a man or a woman.

I and many family members have had careers in the war zone, and I have lost people close to me.

Killing a human being is killing a human being. The genitalia or age of the human doesn't make much difference.

The dark ages are when women are treated as second class citizens. Many parts of the world and many people's mind sets are still in the dark ages. My guess is that you are one of those who enjoy their perceived male dominated position in life and feel threatened by women who have power over you.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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