U.S. would welcome Japan air patrols in South China Sea

Cooperation between countries in the region is crucial and Japan could really help. The Chinese military only understand and respect someone who stand's up to them, so some push back is a good thing.

Wc626Jan. 30, 2015 - 07:39AM JST Americans can care less about (worthless rocks in the sea) Daioyu / Senkaku issue.

LOL. We care so little about them that the 2 Secretaries of Defense, 2 Secretaries of State and the President of the United States has told China that if they try to take them they'll be starting a fight with us. And guess what? China has refrained from sending ay PLA Navy assets to these islands out of fear, Nobody in the Chinese government or military seriously believes the "U.S. doesn't care" if China takes a part of Okinawa Prefecture, the home of the largest U.S, military presence in Asia.

As paulinusa said, China is a bully and bullies only respect strength. China expectations that its enemies will just fold and die won't be happening soon.

Tinawatanabe. Of course. But they are welcomed in every coubtry they are. Aside Cuba

Indeed, a good deterrent policy can sustain peace as intended. A passive policy never stops evilness of the enemy. Chamberlain did it toward the Nazi, and Obama is repeating it, everyday.

Wc626JAN. 30, 2015 - 07:39AM JST Its about time Japan starts pulling its own. After all, Japanese should be defending Japan at the cost of Japanese and not American armed forces.

Japan's military functions (or lack thereof) are bound by their constitution which was primarily drafted by two US military lawyers........ You can't restrict Japan's military with one hand, and then complain that they aren't doing enough on the other.

Japan can ask the US troops to leave.. So welcome enough.

And US can leave unilaterally also..So happy enough.

@Pukey2 It is good to be the king. If China were a democracy, the US could leave Okinawa tomorrow.

If China were a democracy, the US could leave Okinawa tomorrow

I don't think so. The US troops are stationed all over the world not particularly for China.

'I don't think so. The US troops are stationed all over the world not particularly for China.'

A very good point. What are they doing in Germany? Many American taxpayers ask that question.

Japan's best policy is the current, "Hands off the Military Games" Listening to baby face Abe is going to get you in trouble. Japan doesn't have to play super-power! Let the USA handle it.... I see nothing good on the horizon, for Japan, taking the drugs of War from the from the dealer of war !! Japanese people please remember your history, and don't get out of control !

@ tina. of course i know japan funds american forces stationed here.

what i hope for is japan to change article 9, so japan could provide its own security. cause in the end, when scuds are blasting shinjuku skyscrapers and all around JR yamanote line, your money wont save YOU anymore than it could save me!

Of course the US welcomes the patrols. Its about time Japan starts pulling its own. After all, Japanese should be defending Japan at the cost of Japanese and not American armed forces.

Americans can care less about (worthless rocks in the sea) Daioyu / Senkaku issue.

U.S. would welcome Japan air patrols in South China Sea

And so would Mitsubishi, Kawasaki Heavy and other LDP benefactors.

If you look for trouble sometimes you find it. At least do it for yourself, Japan, rather than have an American mouth off for you.

"Centered around the USS George Washington carrier battle group with its home port in Japan, the U.S. Seventh Fleet includes some 80 vessels, 140 aircraft and 40,000 sailors making it the most powerful naval force in the western Pacific."

This could have something to do with the fact that there have been no wars between Japan and China since 1945.

Funny that us has 10 naval fleets and each fleet alone is more powerfull than china PLAN

I wish i could talk directly to my govt. instead, i vote in hopes of electing officials with strong foreign policy agendas so that the world might be a better place.

Japan is a great country. It just needs to step up its responsibilities when it comes to defense of its airspace and borders. & not have to rely on US forces so much

Right Jerseyboy. . . . . Americans dont give two-bits about those Senkaku Islands.

The right answer to China's fear-mongering parades!

Jsrsey you have a point. Bchina will never invade those islands. Only russia loves to play dirty in geopolitics

LOL. So now Japan can rely on an "implied message", as opposed to Ossan's original belief that is was a clear cut "starting a fight with us'. The reason China has "never set foot on the unihabited and rather unprotected islands" is because they don't need to. They are already unilaterally doing exploratory drilling pretty much where they want, and Japan can do nothing to stop them. Guys like you and Ossan see China as this big, stupid bully -- which has some truth to it. But you are ignoring the fact that they are being clever enough to basically get what they want without directly confronting the U.S. and/or starting a war with Japan, one of its largest trading partners. You both need to stop trying to see issues like this in black or white -- 90% of international relations are lived in the grey. , Besides, as I stated earlier, Obama would have a very hard time delivering on your supposed "implied message" if he wanted to, since the concept of involving U.S. military to defend some "uninhabited and rather unprotected islands" would be a very hard case to make to the U.S. citizens, who do not necessarily see China the same way Japanese folks do. In fact, one could argue China is doing Obama a favor by not pushing the Senkaku issue any more aggressively, and focusing more on the South China Sea, as you mention.

How should I start. Oh yeah. Wrong.

China' drilling is within the China's side of the median line between Senkaku and China. There is nothing 'unilateral' about their drilling as it conforms to UNCLOS. Imagine that. China adhering to the UNCLOS and essentially admitting that Senkaku is not theirs. Again, this is an uninhabited island with virtually no defense where on occasions, even Chinese activists have unlawfaully landed there.

Speaking of your idol Obama, he happens to be the first POTUS to directly refer the word "Senkaku" in relation to the current treaty in his last 'sushi tour' in Japan. Adhering to the half a century long security treaty with the most trusted ally in Asia is one of the core foundation of U.S. security policy and that's not about to change.

nigelboy Jan. 31, 2015 - 07:46AM JST Adhering to the half a century long security treaty with the most trusted ally in Asia is one of the core foundation of U.S. security policy and that's not about to change.

Yes, one-sided agreement. If you didn't know, Japan has aleady became a U.S. colony. That is why Japanese are unable to change Japan on their own. The Japanese are reluctant to try to change the US-Japan alliance even if they were "dissatisfied" with it. Japan has not gain military strength and free itself from dependence on the U.S., and this will continue.

But if foreign enemy boots hit your shores, how will those boy scouts (jsdf) protect Japan?

Realistically neither PRC or NK owns enough amphibious assault ships or large size cargo planes theto effectively invade the main islands of Japan and even if they did JSDF greeting committee will be waiting with more than 600 type 88 ASM and 1580 type 12 ASM to show fireworks and tonnes of shrapnel to all who wishes to land.

Basically foreign invasion to Japan is going to be a blood bath to both which would be unfeasible to any nation.

China's attempt to claim the entire area of the South China Sea is a joke. It is amazing how they have even thought they had a chance to seize all of that area without any permission from any of the people who actually own the areas. Japan has stood up to them well and the US has come to be stronger on this too. Clearly China is backing down and is only keeping going for now to save face. In the end they well be utterly defeated and sent home to their own dictatorship prison of a country. In the end that will fall to freedom as well. Just takes time.

Time to be realistic and pragmatic while looking at the world.

It is also time to be looking at why, how, where, when, things are happening the way they are.

Look at geography, weather, natural resources, demographics, economics, technology, communication, transportation, etc., then politics in military, financial, religious, racial, etc. viewpoint from a world historical perspective with the thought that "NOTHING today occurs by chance".

Look at who or what has the "capability" or "ability" to affect the entire world. Then determine, how, when, where, what and by- with-for-to- WHOM? They decipher WHY?

Today WEALTH and COMMUNICATION are the two main sources of power. Who or what entities have the "control" over those two key sources of power?

Then look at how, when, where, and what are being used. But most important look at what IS NOT being used in a timely manner, at the right places, in a meaningful way.

Does that not tell you what is happening to Japan?

Japan is being used "again" as prior to the Russo Japanese War, prior to WW II and during the Korean and Viet Nam Wars. But it may not be for the benefit of the "same" parties. It may be for a much larger world wide scale of changes to come.

You do the math and the thinking from here. Let us know what you see coming from this one statement in the above news release. (You must realize that a news release is always by design. Just as all "leaks" of information are by "design".)

Ukraine and the North West Pacific - Cold War 2, proudly brought to you by Russia and China.

Thanks heaps guys.

US of A should help to release the Japanese hostage taken by IS, not encourage Japan to take a fight with China. You have USA as a friend, who needs an enemy?

kiyoshiMukai It is a childish statement that USA presence is welcome all ower the world, first place they are not welcome is in Japan, at least not by the majority of Japanese. They are not welcome in most of the worlds waters but they are everywhere because they feel insecure. Not that they feel that someone will attack them but they fear that they may lose the influence and control over the countries in their sphere of interest.

@Zvonko That is why Russia is afraid of US troops in NK, right? Russian confidence? And check your facts, Japan can ask the US troops to leave, but communist bullying ensures they stay. So welcome enough.

Wc626

Japan has it's own BMD system in place with 4 Kongo class and 2 Atago class ABM destroyers with another 2 Atago class to be constructed. There are more then 500 ground based PAC-3 ABM stationed in the major regions of Japan to intercept any ballistic missiles heading this way.

bjohnson23

The costs of maintaining the bases is costing the US government more and more each year, to include paying the local Japanese workforce known as Military Labor Contractors (who by the way are not required to take the Japan Government worker exam but get the same equal benefits and retirement package) with US funding while reducing US jobs and filling them the Japanese locals.

Guess what, Japan picks up most of the tab for those Japanese contractors too so the US citizens really have nothing to complain about. Here is what Japan pays.

*Partial assumption of welfare costs for Japanese employed by USFJ (since 1978)

*Establishment of the Facilities Improvement Program (FIP) which provides funds for the maintenance and upgrade of facilities and areas provided to USFJ (since 1979)

*Partial assumption of labor costs for Japanese employed by USFJ (since 1987)

*Partial assumption of utility costs for USFJ (since 1991)

*Assumption of USFJ training relocation costs (since 1996)

These expanded costs have become Japan's most significant contribution to the US-Japan security alliance. In 2002 Japan's contributions represented more than 60% of all allied financial contributions to the US and covered 75% of USFJ's operating costs.

would it be reasonable for japanese citizens to expect young american marines to die protecting this place?

Things are not that black and white. If you don't like it, talk to your govt to leave Japan.

Ossan -- LOL. As usual, you have cherry-picked and twisted the facts to support your position. The facts are that the U.S. has said it will take no official stance in the Senkaku Islands dispute, but, has reiiterated that since they are administered by Japan, they do fall under the joint defense agreement. That hardly sounds like telling China that they'll be "starting a fight with us". The fact is that the vast majority of Americans do not care at all about these islands, and, IMO, are probably not any more inclined to favor Japan versus China in this dispute. The President would have a very hard time getting anyone to spill American blood for Japan's sake.

Ossan is absolutely correct. The treaty and the subsequent amendment was ratified and has been the core of U.S. security in the region for over half a century. Both states have not taken this treaty lightly. As to the importance of Senkaku, this serves as one of the barriers to prevent China's ambition towards the expansion to the Pacific Ocean so from the security standpoint, it plays a critical role.

South China Sea, 2015: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3526/5840462491_0c555b361c.jpg

I think Japan should be more concerned by this

http://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/threat-news/plas-df-21-missile-deployed-to-changbai-mountains-experts/

Barak cooking recipe for 3 WW or at least some major Asian conflict then America come to liberate Japan's "leftovers "from Chinese destruction..

Japanese patrol planes constantly fly out of Atsugi. Right over my beautiful roof top garden.

it is time Japan take more control of its own affairs. they already enjoy the umbrella protection of the US since the end of WWII. i think that umbrella protection to some extent had been taken for granted as WWII issues are also still quite controversial, they are still debated and when mixed up with the current, it kind of funny in some way.

hope Japan will realize things in perhaps a more realistic manner, they can truly be the asian leader on this, perhaps with SK against a common threat.

But they are welcomed in every coubtry they are

And particularly US troops are welcomed at Iraq and Afghanistan?

RE: "|Americans keep complaining like that, but I think you should complain to your govt. And in case you don't know Japan pays American armed forces more than any country in the world." Wake-up today is 2015, and that statement is not entirely true today. The costs of maintaining the bases is costing the US government more and more each year, to include paying the local Japanese workforce known as Military Labor Contractors (who by the way are not required to take the Japan Government worker exam but get the same equal benefits and retirement package) with US funding while reducing US jobs and filling them the Japanese locals. Do you think US people really like knowing that their money is spent paying foreigners?

true. Japan has their anti-ballistic missles stragically placed and ready. But if foreign enemy boots hit your shores, how will those boy scouts (jsdf) protect Japan?

& would it be reasonable for japanese citizens to expect young american marines to die protecting this place?

@jerseyboy Sounds like you are reading what you want to in the US' statement. What do you expect the President to say, "these islands are unequivocally Japanese?". He won't have to ask when push comes to shove for the US to declare war on China because the communist method of warfare is launching a bunch of missles at things. US troops will already be at risk and I think that is a Very Good Thing.

Horsefeathers. Show me one statement by the U.S. State Department that even comes close to the U.S. telling China they'd be "starting a fight with us". Certainly saying, as I stated, that the U.S. isn't taking sides, but since Japan does administer the islands it would fall under the joint defense treaty is far from that. At best, it is a strong indication that the U.S. would like both countries to grow up and try to settle these disputes diplomatically. And, as I pointed out, if Ossan or anyone else, thinks that the State Department's statements should be taken by Japan that the U.S. "has their back", and can use this as leverage with China, they are sadly mistaken.

You're just repeating the your original post. The implied message is there and has been for half a century. There is a reason why Chinese military have never set foot on the uninhabited and rather unprotected islands which is a direct contrast to what's happening in the islands in South China Sea.

Wanna try again, with some actual facts to support your comment, as opposed to your and Osssan's interpretation?

The platform/station (天外天) in the article sits on the Chinese side of the median line. Violation is referring to the bilateral agreement reached between the two to suspend unilateral exploration.

The map.

http://www.cnfc.or.jp/j/proposal/asia00/hiramatsu.html

You're too easy.

Japan shall never, ever, ever, ever try to be a hero in South China Sea.

I can't think of any other country apart from USA which has military on every corner of the world. Can you imagine if China had a few soldiers stationed in Cuba?

There was a Soviet combat brigade in Cuba from 1962 to 1991

Many naive statement in these posts. The US military is not around the would out of fear. It is an absolute fact as by country with something to take, will have it taken if undefended. All of the old world European and Asian nations and cultures have centuries of conquest and invasion actions which prove this, all the way up to today as we all watch Russia invade Ukraine or Isis attempt to carve out a caliphate. China had not simply taken over all of the south China sea because it is ultimately being defended.

as to so called unwanted military presence, the US has Also proven it will leave when asked. the largest US base in Asia used to be subic bay in the Philippines until their government voted to send the out. The military emptied subic and Clark afb on time in a month. if Japan wanted the US out, they would just have to saY it.

Strong military presence must exist because in every country there is a political class of leaders all of which are dishonest parasites and they will always seek to obtain other people's resources and power over them. Anyone remember Tibet? The choice for all countries is make their own military or form an alliance. why the US is chosen is unlike China, Japan, Russia, Germany,France,Spain, Iran, Egypt and most other nations, the US doesn't try to take over and colonize. Some nations, like England, have given up the desire to conquer and this is why England Also has military presence world wide. Japan seems to have Also given up conquest, which means their Very large military is a good counter to the aggression which is coming out if China and Russia.

Probably the biggest mistake a peaceful people can make is to convince themselves their defenses are the cause of invaders, invading and ending defense or defense alliances somehow makes aggressive nations become peaceful

How should I start. Oh yeah. Wrong.

China' drilling is within the China's side of the median line between Senkaku and China. There is nothing 'unilateral' about their drilling as it conforms to UNCLOS. Imagine that. China adhering to the UNCLOS and essentially admitting that Senkaku is not theirs. Again, this is an uninhabited island with virtually no defense where on occasions, even Chinese activists have unlawfaully landed there

nigelboy -- How should I start. oh yeah. Wrong. But don't believe me, read what the Japan Time says:

Japan has accused China of unilaterally exploring gas deposits in the East China Sea, in violation of an agreement to jointly develop disputed areas.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura told reporters Wednesday that Japan protested to China after a flare was seen Tuesday at a Chinese structure at an undersea gas deposit. Japan has made similar complaints several times in the past.

“We have detected a flare, a sign that it is highly likely that there is a gas development going on,” Fujimura said. “Any unilateral exploration is unacceptable.”

Wanna try again, with some actual facts to support your comment, as opposed to your and Osssan's interpretation?

LOL. We care so little about them that the 2 Secretaries of Defense, 2 Secretaries of State and the President of the United States has told China that if they try to take them they'll be starting a fight with us. And guess what? China has refrained from sending ay PLA Navy assets to these islands out of fear, Nobody in the Chinese government or military seriously believes the "U.S. doesn't care" if China takes a part of Okinawa Prefecture, the home of the largest U.S, military presence in Asia.

Ossan -- LOL. As usual, you have cherry-picked and twisted the facts to support your position. The facts are that the U.S. has said it will take no official stance in the Senkaku Islands dispute, but, has reiiterated that since they are administered by Japan, they do fall under the joint defense agreement. That hardly sounds like telling China that they'll be "starting a fight with us". The fact is that the vast majority of Americans do not care at all about these islands, and, IMO, are probably not any more inclined to favor Japan versus China in this dispute. The President would have a very hard time getting anyone to spill American blood for Japan's sake.

The implied message is there and has been for half a century.

LOL. So now Japan can rely on an "implied message", as opposed to Ossan's original belief that is was a clear cut "starting a fight with us'. The reason China has "never set foot on the unihabited and rather unprotected islands" is because they don't need to. They are already unilaterally doing exploratory drilling pretty much where they want, and Japan can do nothing to stop them. Guys like you and Ossan see China as this big, stupid bully -- which has some truth to it. But you are ignoring the fact that they are being clever enough to basically get what they want without directly confronting the U.S. and/or starting a war with Japan, one of its largest trading partners. You both need to stop trying to see issues like this in black or white -- 90% of international relations are lived in the grey. , Besides, as I stated earlier, Obama would have a very hard time delivering on your supposed "implied message" if he wanted to, since the concept of involving U.S. military to defend some "uninhabited and rather unprotected islands" would be a very hard case to make to the U.S. citizens, who do not necessarily see China the same way Japanese folks do. In fact, one could argue China is doing Obama a favor by not pushing the Senkaku issue any more aggressively, and focusing more on the South China Sea, as you mention.

Ossan is absolutely correct.

Horsefeathers. Show me one statement by the U.S. State Department that even comes close to the U.S. telling China they'd be "starting a fight with us". Certainly saying, as I stated, that the U.S. isn't taking sides, but since Japan does administer the islands it would fall under the joint defense treaty is far from that. At best, it is a strong indication that the U.S. would like both countries to grow up and try to settle these disputes diplomatically. And, as I pointed out, if Ossan or anyone else, thinks that the State Department's statements should be taken by Japan that the U.S. "has their back", and can use this as leverage with China, they are sadly mistaken.

Japanese should be defending Japan at the cost of Japanese and not American armed forces.

Americans keep complaining like that, but I think you should complain to your govt. And in case you don't know Japan pays American armed forces more than any country in the world.