U.S., Japan hail stronger ties, including 2 new defense deals

Now, all the people who complain about bases in Okinawa and throughout Japan should be directing their comments and anger to the two Japanese sitting here, and Kishida.

They are the one's who are making the decisions, and it's they who are responsible!

Learn to point your fingers at the right places!

after negotiators ended a Trump-era row

The rows and messes created by Trump and his fellow billionaires in his admin were left for others to clean up. Trump is a privileged caste, spoiled brat that never learned to clean up his own messes, messes in his world are to be dealt with by lower caste people, not those from his and those in his wealthy, born-to-wealth caste.

we dont need foreign boots here.

as long as Japan have own SDF.

i see no reason pay double money for it?

Kishida is a disgrace.

Kishida is a disgrace.

Please expound on why you think so!

Bad news.

Hayashi doesn't want to be there.

Hopefully this will be resolved soon as the US gradually loses power.

“we dont need foreign boots here.

as long as Japan have own SDF.

i see no reason pay double money for it?”

Without those foreign boots here you probably have been speaking something other than Japanese here. Yes we need a proper military but that can’t be built overnight.

@hattorikun

Doubt it.

The only one who benefits is the americans, Japan is their outpost in East Asia.

U.S., Japan hail stronger ties, including 2 new defense deals:

There is no such thing as stronger ties between two nations when one nation dictates, the other just accepts.

One often hears only military cooperation between these two countries and not others.

Why? Why?

Bad news.

One often hears only military cooperation between these two countries and not others.

Why? Why?

My question to you is "Why? Why? Why?"

https://japantoday.com/category/politics/australia-japan-to-sign-'historic'-defense-security-pact

I don't think he or she has to expound on anything. It's quite clear as to why someone would label the PM as a disgrace.

I clearly disagree and want them, and now you to specifically state what Kishida has done that is so "disgraceful" to Japan.

@hattorikun

Without those foreign boots here you probably have been speaking something other than Japanese here. Yes we need a proper military but that can’t be built overnight.

OK let me ask other question than.If Japan could not build own proper military "overnight" why its is needed than if have US army here?Than I go back to my question again-why taxpayers must pay double costs for same thing?

EastmanToday  11:47 am JST

we dont need foreign boots here.

as long as Japan have own SDF.

i see no reason pay double money for it?

Japan needs the US because even as it continues to build it's military, it has no desire to expand it's own military into nuclear deterrents or the ability to carry out operations on a global scale. Most countries do not. Which is why being a U.S. ally is very attractive from that perspective.

All the US wants from Japan is more money for its bases and more money for its arms sales to Japan. They know full well that there is zero chance of anyone invading Japan. They are happy to play the game of having defended Japan from invasion for 70 years when they themselves are the invading/occupying force - paid for by the good people of Japan if you please. LOL

@happyhere

Not for long, with Kishida and Hayashi in charge.

Shinzo Abe is still the most rogue politician tho.

@OssanAmerica

Japan needs the US because even as it continues to build it's military, it has no desire to expand it's own military into nuclear deterrents or the ability to carry out operations on a global scale. Most countries do not. Which is why being a U.S. ally is very attractive from that perspective.

What a nice "excuse" and "explanation".....so you mean its correct pay both military costs for JDF and also for occupying foreign forces-just because they have nuclear weapons?

US is not ally but its japanese boss,in other words its occupying Japan since end of WW2.There nothing "attractive" on it from my point of view...but it may be for you?

The United States of East Asia: China JapaN and Korea… That would be a force to reckon with in terms of both military and economic powers… But unfortunately these countries can’t see eye to eye :)

Japan has no military, they build things they never use, have no experience to use or do not want to use. They need the US umbrella for protection. This is a fact, and the very reason you are able to blog and complain about US POLICIES in Japan is proof that the policies are working and will work into the future.

@hattorikun

Without those foreign boots here you probably have been speaking something other than Japanese here. Yes we need a proper military but that can’t be built overnight.

Such rhetoric has absolutely no validity, it is cheap propaganda. China has no designs on Japan or any existing plan to invade the islands.

Who is 'we'? Are you Japanese?

The U.S. military is an army of occupation. It is the first line of defense aka offensive capability guarding what has been referred to as the American lake aka Pacific Ocean. The latest design being the Asian Pivot, so embraced by Obama and now Biden - an intent to contain the economic power of China. All the while ignoring it was The West that enabled the rise of China with offshoring.

All the nonsense about repelling Chinese invaders or the North Korean menace or aiding Taiwan, is a simple justification for an arms build-up along with purposefully antagonizing China into an 'arms race'.

Japan is a client-state of the USA. The Pentagon along with the acquiescence of the PM and certain cabinet ministers, all reflecting an atavistic, conservative, right-wing reactionary politics, envision a return to empire, as if those politicos suffer from the vapors. Kishida and his ilk profit directly or indirectly from their subservience to U.S. demands. Costs are shifted onto Japanese taxpayers for the army of occupation and there are profits to be gained from arms sales, the purchase of American made weaponry. It's an ongoing and very determined form of corruption and undermining of democracy in Japan by powers that be in the USA.

As Japan pays for them, it should be able to call the shots and ORDER American troops to remain on base rather than request.

@yakyak

Japan has no military, they build things they never use, have no experience to use or do not want to use. They need the US umbrella for protection. This is a fact, and the very reason you are able to blog and complain about US POLICIES in Japan is proof that the policies are working and will work into the future.

Btw did you ever heard about Japanese Self Defence Forces aka japanese army?My question what kind of army is that if need US umberalla/by your opinion/?If this is true they need umbrella-what for do we need waste money for this "army"?

“Such rhetoric has absolutely no validity, it is cheap propaganda.”

you will wait until a ballistic missile flying over your head into Shinjuku to assess its validity? It’s not not propaganda and as a Japanese national we want to know we can at least defense ourselves and before we can properly do that, being an ally with the US is a good deference.

“Who is 'we'? Are you Japanese?” Maybe not including you but I am in there with other Japanese I know and share my view.

A strong relationship between Japan, South Korea, and the USA is crucial to preserving the democracies around the Pacific, which is why Putin and Trump tried to undermine that relationship.

It all started with Convention of Kanagawa in 1854...

So many America- haters here. Remember the ones that are willing to put themselves in harm's way at a moment's notice to protect the freedoms you take for granted.

“Remember the ones that are willing to put themselves in harm's way at a moment's notice to protect the freedoms you take for granted.”

not many people understand that and yet they keep dreaming all their neighbors will treat them nicely

When U.S. President Bill Clinton came to Okinawa in June 2000 for the 26th summit meeting, he promised that the U.S. military footprint would be reduced from Okinawa significantly. Well, has that promise been fulfilled? Aren’t things going in an opposite direction?

we dont need foreign boots here.

as long as Japan have own SDF.

i see no reason pay double money for it?

Those in power, with more information than you or I see it much differently.

What a nice "excuse" and "explanation".....so you mean its correct pay both military costs for JDF and also for occupying foreign forces-just because they have nuclear weapons?

Japan does NOT pay for US forces stationed in Japan. If they did the cost would be many times higher. They "contribute" a partial amount to assist in the stationing of troops that are at Japans disposal for defense of Japanese assets and territories. And includes protection under the US nuclear umbrella.

You seem to wish the weight of being occupied on your shoulders but in reality you know nothing of "being occupied" or you would not make such wildly inaccurate claims. Do US forces come to your house and beat you or question you for no reason? Occupiers do such things and Japanese would have no rights to stop them. Ask those in Tibet if they would rather switch situations and I assure you they would jump at such an offer before you could finish making it. Tibet is occupied and Japan is free. The US guarantee's Japan sovereignty. Rather than thank them you continue to focus on any situation were an individual member of stationed US forces breaks a local law. I call that petty.

You do not want foreign forces stationed in Japan you lobby your political representatives and recruit other like minded people to send more correspondence voicing your opinions. Making false statements on news sites does nothing for you or what you want to happen.

@hattorikun

you will wait until a ballistic missile flying over your head into Shinjuku to assess its validity?

Either China or Russia could have done that for decades and can do it any time they want. None of these military agreements with funny acronyms can stop it.

Why haven't they? MAD aka WW3.

US ground troops in Japan have nothing to do with nuclear deterrent.

The U.S. military is an army of occupation.

No, it clearly is not.

It is the first line of defense aka offensive capability guarding what has been referred to as the American lake aka Pacific Ocean.

It IS the first line of defense.

The latest design being the Asian Pivot, so embraced by Obama and now Biden - an intent to contain the economic power of China.

Incorrect. The US and the west continues to invest in the Chinese economy and have no desire or need to contain it economically. You confuse military containment with economic containment. Something the CCP also does.

All the while ignoring it was The West that enabled the rise of China with offshoring.

And that is still happening. Proof there is no economic containment activity. China is a competitor to everyone else in the same way that everyone is a competitor for Japan and the US and Europe etc.

When US troops start breaking down doors, arresting Japanese citizens and replacing Japans political parties with a military governor, then Japan will be occupied. Until then tell the truth. Japan is not occupied but your mind is.

Does this sentence: "sharing the cost of the American military presence in Japan" mean that Japan will for the army that occupies it?

EastmanToday  02:10 pm JST

@OssanAmerica

Japan needs the US because even as it continues to build it's military, it has no desire to expand it's own military into nuclear deterrents or the ability to carry out operations on a global scale. Most countries do not. Which is why being a U.S. ally is very attractive from that perspective.

What a nice "excuse" and "explanation".....so you mean its correct pay both military costs for JDF and also for occupying foreign forces-just because they have nuclear weapons?

Now you're getting it. Except that the US occupation ended in 1952. The current US Forces are in Japan under the US-JPN Mutual Defense Treaty which can be terminated by either party with 1 years notice. That it has and continues to be in force is testament to the mutually beneficial aspects of the Treaty.

Does this sentence: "sharing the cost of the American military presence in Japan" mean that Japan will PAY for the army that occupies it?

I am sure China will make Japan pay for its occupation armies if America ever leaves.

US and allies routinely invade other countries yet they incessantly harp about other countries invading other countries.

It's a real tragedy that most citizens of those countries are so gullible they believe their govts propaganda hook line and sinker because their govts need the citizens support and approval before they can go ahead with their murderous ways

NK's missile was not 'hypersonic' unless Putin gave them one, which is unlikely, and it did not 'hit it's target' as was claimed - it just plopped into the sea. It wasn't fired by Kim astride his pet unicorn either.

This is all political theatre. NK has no interest in attacking Japan and never has had. If it wanted to, it could have sabotaged any of Japan's nuclear power plants at any time over the last few decades. The threat of NK is a fantasy created for domestic political consumption - the bogeyman over the border.

But Japan may need to think of a plan B, as it forks out sacks of protection money to Washington.

Biden really needed to start stitching America back together, but has chosen not to. His speech suggests that America will head into its next election more polarised than ever before. The Democrats will field a progressive candidate, the Republicans will have Trump or a hard right alternative. There will be no middle ground. The election will be brutal - like warfare, the loser will claim they were cheated, and there is a real possibility of civil conflict following.

The US always chooses domestic issues over foreign ones. It walked away from Hong Kong and Afghanistan. Japan should have a Plan B.

Yubaru (Jan. 7 08:23 am JST),

Now, all the people who complain about bases in Okinawa and throughout Japan should be directing their comments and anger to the two Japanese sitting here, and Kishida.

You mean Japan takes the initiative in everything concerned with defense matters? LOL. If they appear to be taking the initiative, they are only doing so, speculating that the U.S. may like it. You know, Japan is of sontaku culture.

Japan must not provoke any of it's Asian neighbors.

you will wait until a ballistic missile flying over your head into Shinjuku to assess its validity?

Either China or Russia could have done that for decades and can do it any time they want. None of these military agreements with funny acronyms can stop it.

The Soviets/Russians and Chinese didn't and do not shoot missiles at Japan because there were strong US forces on Japanese soil so they knew it would cost them. The reprisals would come from multiple directions including from US based strategic forces. That threat keeps them honest.

The Soviets very much had the amphibious lift and forces necessary to invade Japan through Hokkaido. The current Russian force structure not so much but they are rebuilding gradually. The Chinese are reaching the point of having forces capable of projecting power to Okinawa, which last time I checked is part of Japan and, obtw, the Chinese official presses calls Okinawa "Japanese occupied". As far as China is concerned at an official level, Japan's control of Okinawa is illegitimate and they reserve the right to take it from Japan. Now how well do you think the JSDF could defend Okinawa absent US forces? And while the Chinese are invading Taiwan they would be firing thousands of missiles at Japanese cities knowing that since the Japanese asked US forces to leave they no longer had to concern themselves with US retribution.

Now, all the people who complain about bases in Okinawa and throughout Japan should be directing their comments and anger to the two Japanese sitting here, and Kishida.

They are the one's who are making the decisions, and it's they who are responsible!

Learn to point your fingers at the right places!

Correct, and it is time that the antiquated "this is Japan brigade" finally faded away.

"U.S., Japan hail stronger ties, including 2 new defense deals"

Ties? Or manacles?

Desert, the US forces are not an offences deterrent to China, the bases would be the first hit by China, they just there, to protect paper Tigers

Eastman, Japan cannot fight their way out of a wet paper bag, maybe if Japanese official shut up with all these bellicose empty threats, their can be peace in the region, Russia and Japan intruded on Japanese, waters on Tsargu Straits, SDF did nothing as usual

William Bjornson

Ties? Or manacles?

Definitely manacles.

Peter14

China, with its very wise leadership, is not interested in making Japan pay for old sins. China is interested in peace & business. Wars are good only for chauvinists, extremists & murderers.

@ hattorikun

The only reason there are foreign boots here in Japan is because the Japanese military waged war on the west and all over Asia and the Pacific.

It was the Japanese boots that didn't need to leave Japanese soil and wage war elsewhere.

And not the foreign boots that need to leave.

Obviously Japan could have and still could be nicer to its neighbors and that's precisely a large issue.

And Obviously Okinawa was Chinese tributary and basically controlled by China before Japan annexed it.

The Ryukyus is a Chinese name for the area.

Okinawa is the Japanese name for the area.

Look at a map !

Look around you and realize most of what you are accustomed to using was adopted by Japanese from foreign influences.

I believe it's better for Japan to have alliances than to try and go it alone.

Let's hope history doesn't repeat itself.

Kyo wa heiwa dayo ne, the Ryukyu Kingdom had a tributary relationship with China and was not part of it. As for being buddies with the Americans they killed so many Ryukyu people unlike the Chinese.

Kyo wa heiwa dayo neToday  06:24 am JST

The Ryukyus is a Chinese name for the area.

Okinawa is the Japanese name for the area.

Wrong. The Chinese name is Liúqiú. Anglicized at the time of Perry's arrival in Okinawa in 1853/54 as Lewchew.

Ryukyu is the Japanese name taken from the Ryukyu Kingdom. It was renamed Okinawa in 1879.

Desert, the US forces are not an offences deterrent to China, the bases would be the first hit by China, they just there, to protect paper Tigers

The fact they are US bases means the Chinese are deterred. Sure China could attack them but what would happen afterwards when US forces from all over the Pacific and even some based in the US responded is a sobering deterrent to such an attack. The US has huge forces in the region there for exactly that reason.

Eastman, Japan cannot fight their way out of a wet paper bag, 

I have operated with the JMSDF at sea in one of their task groups. They are maybe the second best naval force in the world in terms of equipment and training. They are maybe the best ASW navy there, fully equal to the US Navy in that regard. What the JMSDF lacks to be competitive with any navy in the world are aircraft carriers, land attack cruise missiles (possibly banned by Japan's constitution) and large fleet replenishment ships (fleet oilers and multi-product stores ships like the American T-AKE class or the British Fort Class). The JMSDF is starting to remedy the lack of aircraft carriers and replenishment ships. But in terms of having modern capable equipment, the material condition of their ships and the competence of their crews the JMSDF is as good as a navy gets. They are experienced pros in every sense of the word.