politics

Japan rushes to rearm with eye on China's Taiwan ambitions

39 Comments
By Tim Kelly, Nobuhiro Kubo and Yukiko Toyoda

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Thomson Reuters 2022.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

39 Comments
Login to comment

Japan should make alliances and treaties with its neighbors instead of playing the pathetic game of the saving war of "freedom and democracy" from the US..

-8 ( +10 / -18 )

China's foreign ministry said Japan was using China as a pretext for a military buildup.

Well, then don't give Japan hardliners such a perfect excuse to escalate.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

Japan should make alliances and treaties with

Japan is a sovereign nation and should make alliances with any country that Japanese people believe suits their best interests.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Japan rushes to rearm with eye on China's Taiwan ambitions.

Should read....

Japan rushes to rearm with eye on pleasing it's US masters.

-14 ( +8 / -22 )

Echo's of the 1930's.

-11 ( +10 / -21 )

@MrUkiplinq Japan rushes to rearm with eye on pleasing it's US masters.

Japan is a sovereign nation that has has long chosen to be allied with nations that best serve Japanese interests. Japanese people have lots of choices, one is remain with the allies they currently have, or align with the China/Russia/North Korea/Iran bloc. With the latter they might get cheaper fossil fuels at least for a while, that bloc has shown it will use extortionary tactics and turn off the taps when that suits their interests.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

What ever Japan decides won't matter in the course of action Xi will take. Xi is a caveman, with a cave troll mentality, humanity will suffer regardless. Just look at the Xi/Putin coordination and what has happened to Ukraine.

Japan and its Asian neighbours have had a wonderful, progressive and prosperous 7 decades as 'free' nations and friend of the US. It should really look to China's friends for clues as to what's in store if it thinks being China's friend will be an offer it can't afford to rrefuse.

List of China's friends and how they've turned out under China's umbrella: Sri Lanka, NK, Pakistan, Iran, Nigeria, Kenya, Solomons, and closer to home HK.

I'm just glad I got a few acres in NZ to grow my own food when Xi unfold his vision and the Chinese people can't stop him. Ukraine will be a walk in the park.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Military Expenditure (% GDP) -2020

Russia 4.3

United States 3.7

India 2.9

UK 2.2

France 2.1

China 1.7

Japan 1.0

Source: World Bank https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS

3 ( +8 / -5 )

If crimes are becoming more rampant in your neighborhood and your neighbors are all arming up, isn't it also natural for you to beef up your defenses as well? Funny to hear China criticising Japan for re-militarism when it is building up the extraterritorial warfare capabilities of the PLA.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

If crimes are becoming more rampant in your neighborhood and your neighbors are all arming up, isn't it also natural for you to beef up your defenses as well?

Using your analogy, the neighbours armed up years ago, and not with sticks but serious lethal weapons. NK and nukes, China is the equivalent of 12 Yakuza families and their muscle moving into the neighbourhood.

Meanwhile, Japan was busy cancelling Aegis missile defense, a bit like tearing down the house fence because it costs too much to maintain.

Sad, but may turn out to be too little, too late.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

If it wasn’t China it would be someone else Russia, North Korea, Azkaban. Reality the LDP just want to have big boots again like their grandfathers. Life might actually be better for most under CCP rule rather than LDP. Not saying there is not a few downsides. But under the LDP there are a few too.

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

As a taxpayer I feel the rearmament is not really a happy decision. Xi the paramount leader and Putin the Z-cult guru are all to blame.

I wish that for a while the zero covid nonsense will keep CCPs' attention at home within the Chinese territory (aside from Taiwan, not to mention :))

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Xi the paramount leader and Putin the Z-cult guru are all to blame.

... plus Kim the Rocket Man.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

USA isn't spending much, right?

Let's face it, the only reason why countries like Germany, France and Japan aren't spending more is because they don't have the money. If they had, you can bet your life they'd be spending more. But it's great that Japan has an excuse to spend more. How convenient.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

To appease America's pressure, right? How expensive and ridiculous price tag was demanded by the U.S. arms industries, like the "Osprey" VTOL transport planes.

Japan is NO NO NO where to challenge Chinese military power, our ICBMs& SLBMs can hit the western hemisphere. Is Japan looking for this kind of capability?

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Why should Japan be worried about China and Taiwan? But if the U.S.A. tries to bring Japan into the picture, there will be danger the situation will get out of hand.

"Action without insight is a terrible thing."

a quote from Goethe - German writer, philosopher.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Why should Japan be worried about China and Taiwan?

Because of the ramifications. Japan, surely, wants to avoid another kick in the gut, like when USA normalized relations with China and recognized the CCP as rulers of China.

IMHO, Japan must, as a matter of urgency, organise credible regional alliances, AND especially NOT rely on USA, because USA is just as likely to prefer to stand on the sideline, eg Ukraine.

China would not be claiming an ocean of international waters as its own territory if it didn't think it can defend it, or making preparations for its defense. Taiwan is a stepping stone, and that's why Japan should be very wworried.

Past actions, current actions makes for very powerful insight. Given Ukraine, I would have thought Japan would need 100s of times more missile defense capability and maritime defense capability.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Japanese government who cannot make even their warning system function has no ability to war.

There are many superannuated many nuclear plants at seacoast where is easily attacked from neighbouring countries, society is depending on innumerable "made in China" day by day, Japan where has many weaks cannot begin the war.

LDP government just wants to increase weapons and to benefit ​US military industries. 

Japan is about to be militarism state where ignores domestic poverty and strengthen arms like North Korea.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

TokyoLiving

Today 07:09 am JST

Japan should make alliances and treaties with its neighbors instead of playing the pathetic game of the saving war of "freedom and democracy" from the US..

Alliances and treaties are barely worth the paper they're printed on but it's nice to dream. Just look at one of the treaties and alliances from WWII. The Soviets and Nazi Germany did all of that at the start but by the end they were fighting on opposite sides and there were tens of millions dead. Learn.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

No one likes to hear it, I know, but the fastest and cheapest solution would be to allow US deployment of a few nuclear arms. Doesn’t cost so much and is a very quick solution. I know it’s drawing flak and requires a few constitution changes. But that’s the way to handle it correctly, or does anyone think there’s plenty of time to rearm over five or more years and the country still swims in megatons of taxpayers’ money like during the bubble? No. If China would strike now or in one year, there’s nothing for defense. But my proposed solution could in theory be available still today or tomorrow , if considered and voted for in both parliamentary houses and signed by the Emperor. That takes a few hours and that big problem is away from the desk.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Let's not forget the Soviet-Japan Neutrality Pact. Fear the Bear up north.

The Soviets and Nazi Germany

2 ( +3 / -1 )

No one likes to hear it, I know, but the fastest and cheapest solution would be to allow US deployment of a few nuclear arms

Japan signed and ratified the NPT way back. Also, Japan having nukes is not going to make forming alliances easy, especially with SK.

IMHO, all eyes are going to be on whether Xi gets another term, and what power he has, because he has already said he doesn't rule out taking Taiwan by force, and that means the SCS as well.

China's ambassador to the UK criminally assaulted a protester on UK soil, because he feels it's his duty to defend Xi against rumours. Japan's sovereignty would be disregarded as well when Xi says so.

There is no cheap or fast solution, there is only sustained effort to quickly build capability, Japan is already behind, having ignored all risk vectors year on year, eg in the midst of Rocket Boy threaten nuclear annihilation, Japan decided to cancel its only missile defense system. Mistakes have to be acknowledged and fixed regardless of who made it.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Japan's spending is already in the world's top 10. Quite a lot for a country that officially doesn't have a military.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

With China gearing up to invading Taiwan, increasing all facets of its military capacities and having ambitions of more over seas bases and winning wars anywhere in the world against anyone. It is easy to understand others being afraid of China's war footing and plans at being the strongest military in the world. Nobody in their right mind wants to see evil grow to be stronger than everyone else. China is evil to its own people and will be so much worse to everyone else. We see how minorities are treated in China, how speaking your mind is a deadly prospect when it is counter to the state propaganda. The world does not want to be subject to such a nation.

Japan has no option other than to not fall too far behind that it has no ability to defend itself well. A strong defense able to inflict significant damage to an attacker can wear them down as we have seen in Ukraine. But seeing Russia taking out infrastructure like power stations while Ukraine is either unable or unwilling to do the same give an advantage to Russia. Japan must have an ability to respond in similar fashion to any attacks on its infrastructure which means long range missiles, ballistic missiles. Even NK has that ability. It is easy for an attacker or invader to do their job and win if they cant be hit back and are protected from retaliation. If retaliation is a sure thing they must take into account their own lost infrastructure and ability to maintain war.

It has been a long time since Europe, Asia and the west has faced total war with rationing, lights out, changing manufacturing to all military equipment like WWI and WWII so for current generations it will be a huge shock. Ukraine understands and it would be the first to warn everyone to avoid such conflict.

Japan must do all it can to prepare itself to survive and win in such circumstances and like any insurance policy, hope it is never needed. But if it is needed, it will have the best chance for its people and the nation to remain free and sovereign. Doing nothing in the face of the buildup of neighbors militaries would be criminal and negligent.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Taxes will rise to buy U.S weapons .

Gotta keep those bomb making factories in business ! :-(

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Taxes will rise to buy U.S weapons .

Gotta keep those bomb making factories in business ! :-(

Japan makes most things under license so the money stays in Japan employing Japanese people in high tech industries.

Gotta keep the J citizens employed and making money. Not to mention keeping the smartest minds in Japan working for Japan in R&D even if it is for military use in the defense of Japan.

But for any weapons brought from the US or Europe, it is because it is the best available. You do not want to buy cheap Chinese or Russian trash do you?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

"Japan rushes to rearm with eye on China's Taiwan ambitions"

Of all of the people in the world, the Chinese have the greatest need-based understanding of Japan and, as quoted in this article, understate it:

""Political forces in Japan have repeatedly used China as an excuse to deliberately exaggerate regional tensions. In doing so, the Japanese side is only looking for excuses to strengthen its own military and expand its military," the ministry said in a written response to Reuters."

China has maintained a stable detente with the rightwing local government of Taiwan for many years but the success of Chinese Win-Win foreign policy in the world relative to the U.S. thuggish bullying has caused the U.S. to now try to aggravate tensions and disrupt China in any way it can. Japan's aristocracy has not lost the psychopathic Samurai mentality that led it to such horrific disaster for its people in the quest for empire per the European model in the early 20th Century. This pathology makes Japan only too happy to delude its people with FEAR once again at the urging of American psychopaths into making the same mistake again.

And worse, the voices of ignorance suggest that Japan having access to Nuclear weapons would 'protect' Japan but the truth is that such access would make Japan an even more legitimate TARGET of the people it would seek to intimidate than it is now as an ever aggressive America's front line base against a major and successful competitor. At the moment, Japan is stuck between Scylla and Charybdis and there is little of a future in this place and it would be best for Japan to repudiate both the U.S. and China and chart its own course into the future that does not include a return to the murderous piracy of its past.

The Japanese people, as I have experienced them, are a generous and largely peaceful people who tolerate pathological leaders and eschew civil disobedience but, unless the People of Japan want to once again sacrifice their children to the desires and benefits of monsters, they must tear down their current leaders and put in place people who actually care about the welfare and future of Japan as a nation and no longer tolerate the betrayal of 'leaders' working for the most pathological elements of their society for only their own benefit who would blindly turn Japan into a radioactive wasteland.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Zhongnanhai will saber-rattle a whole lot (including intrusions on Taiwan's airspace) but will never invade. They have seen the sanctions on Russia. Sanctions on manufacturing-centric China would bring it to its knees very quickly. China is trying to dig itself out of its disastrous housing bubble and prepare for a rapidly aging demographic - it has little margin for error. And Xi is facing criticism for his third term as CCP head - the consensus had limited it to two, so he needs to placate the masses. There is no way Xi would ever invade Taiwan unless he totally loses his senses.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Do the anti China cultists realize that the majority of people in Taiwan do NOT want independence. Neither do they want full integration with the main land. What they want is things to carry on just as they are now.. Taiwan's economy is total dependent on China. They know this.

It is the US promoting the independence groups to stir up tensions with China.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Do the pro China cultists realize that the newer generations of Taiwanese do not see themselves as Chinese, are proud of their Taiwanese culture and increasingly want their independence recognized by the world and by China?

Time marches on and the pressure will continue to build for Taiwan to be recognized as a sovereign fully independent nation with full membership in the UN and all world bodies.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Me thinks that the Taiwanese would like to decide by themselves instead of having totally unrelated people push they own agendas onto them.

As it should be.

The polls never seem to ask those question in a more informative way.

Ask them again the same question given a China willing to accept any choice they make with peace and you will find a very different picture. For now It is always tainted by Chinese aggression and belligerence with threats of invasion if they declare independence.

Nobody wants to be invaded, nobody sane, so they choose the safest path.

But younger generations have been shown to be the big movers in wanting independence in their future and as older generations die off the percentages will only increase for independence. Unlike Chinese people, Taiwan has open and full access to the internet and use it to inform themselves. They know China is repressive and would remove many of their freedoms. None of them want that. Who would?

China continues to make the US the bad guys saying they want Taiwan to declare independence but that is not the case. The US has always supported Taiwan's right to decide and in their own time. The US, like the world at large, simply does not want China to invade the peaceful functioning independent state of Taiwan. Just like it's population.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

it will help Japan increase stockpiles of spare parts and ammunition that its untested military would need to sustain any fight.

That is something Putin should have done before invading Ukraine.

Taking Crimean made him error when he thought Ukraine would give in like the last time.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Military Expenditure (% GDP) -2020

Russia 4.3

United States 3.7

India 2.9

UK 2.2

France 2.1

China 1.7

Japan 1.0

errr, who do know that Kishida recently announced 3% with no total cap. Japanese yen now about 150. Decreasing.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

My Taiwanese friends are divided 50/50. Most want life to go on as normal, but politics is having a big effect. Love to go there again, but no vac…

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

The % GDP or $ spent on military doesn't mean much compared to total efficiency.

A point in China's advantage is that they aren't tied down to existing technology like the US is to e.g. Aircraft Carriers.

This video "DJI Mavic 3 - Flying Over Mount Everest" shows a modified civilian drone flying a over 9000 meters above Mt Fuji - obviously it has been considerably robustified. Consider the damage simple Iranian drones have done to Ukraine's power grid - now imagine Chinese factories manufacturing tens or hundreds or thousands of thousands of weaponized drones and the creatively destructive uses those could be put to. Perhaps launched from subs or dropped from high altitude.

Of course the US could do that too - but the parts for building the factories and many of the simple components for assembly are only available at scale from China, and it will take N years to build up the supply chains once the starting gun goes off. Although the US has moved to develop and protect the high end chip market, there is very little attention paid to the lower level supply chains. This is a US weak point.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Alan HarrisonOct. 20  07:53 am JST

Echo's of the 1930's.

Not at all.

1930s-Japan was run by a military dictatorhip, invading the Republic of China and at odds with the West.

2022-Japan has been a democracy for 77 years, and are allied with the West againt the PRC(China) which is threatening to invade the Republic of China(Taiwan).

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites