Abe fears U.S.-N Korea talks will omit Japan security concerns

It's about time that the people of this country have the scales ripped from their eyes regarding their "strong" leader Abe.

I could be wrong, but it makes no sense for the US to agree to a deal only regarding ICBM's and not the entire North Korean Nuclear program. If Trump, or the Chinese do not convince Kim to ditch his nuclear aspirations, then everybody is at risk. Perhaps this means Abe doesn't trust Trump to stick up for Japan, are have its best interests in mind during negotiations, but as I said, any deal short of no nuclear capabilities seems ludicrous.

Some experts say Abe's concern that the U.S. may allow North Korea to remain a nuclear power and possess some missiles that do not pose danger to America is a valid one.

Yes, I agree that this is a valid concern, particularly considering who the POTUS is. If so, Japan will have to ramp up its plans for first strike capability on launch sites, cruise missiles, attack drones, etc. And if Art 9 needs to be amended, even Paragraph 1 which I would like to see untouched, then so be it. However, considering the extent of U.S. military assets and personnel in Japan, it would behoove the U.S. to ensure that short and medium range missiles are not ignored.

YubaruToday 06:57 am JST

It's about time that the people of this country have the scales ripped from their eyes regarding their "strong" leader Abe.

And who would you have replace him who would act any differently under current circumstances?

Everything is going as planned by Abe, in his blue print of foreign policy: more disasters to come.

he is worried President Donald Trump will focus on intercontinental ballistic missiles and forget shorter-range missiles

I would be worried Trump forgets why they're having a summit...

The fact that such a concerns exist puts in question the Japan/US "friendship".

5 years since Abe becomes PM, Japan is more isolated, more irreverent. Tell me that Abe is a more capable PM. Any PM if he can't have good relationships with neighbors, then he is a failed PM.

The zero-risk NK option doesn't exist am afraid. 

Regional security will only be achieved through talks & building meaningful relationships which not only takes time but also implies transparency/sincerity on both sides. We need an Abe/KJU dialogue at some point.

goldorak, KJU has three demands for meeting Abe: 1, don't change peace constitution, 2, compensate for the war damages, 3, pay for the cost of nuclear weapons and missles.

Japan, the barking chihuahua on the sideline

That’s a very reasonable and serious worry. Trump goes after easy wins at any cost, so ridding NK of its ICBMs would be a win at home, but a loss for the region.

The US does have huge numbers of troops and people in Japan and SK though, so it’ll be interesting to know if Trump determines they are worth protecting

Abe is right to be concerned. The question is what can he do about it?

Dango bong, Nobel Peace prize should be awarded to Japanese people if Abe is stopped to change the constitution.

gelendestrasse, If Abe is right to be concerned, then NK is right to be concerned too: why would Abe change the peace constitution ? Why would Abe increase military spending ? Why would it be OK for Abe to have long range missiles but not NK ? Why would it be OK for Abe to have first strike policy and capability but not NK ?

NK isn't concerned, it's a dictatorship run by a paranoid family freak who's only concern is perpetuating his own misrule. It's the neighbors who have to be concerned.

If North Korea gets to keep its nuclear arsenal, which would be utterly ridiculous given what the aim has always been, then Japan MUST become a nuclear power in my view. There is no other choice. To not do so is a serious negation of responsibility on behalf of the government.

Akie,

Abe changing the peace constitution, there are clearly some idealogical reasons behind it but if the US doesn't stand by its, occupation, and defense of Japan at some point it is going to have to change, why you would say, because Japan has a Dictator in North Korea who has directly threatened it many times, there is also the increasing in military and maritime military spending and activity from China.

You might say China is just doing this in "peace" as is their right, so straight back at you, why can China and not Japan?

Why increase military spending, possible lack of support from the US, and North Korea and China.

Why long range missiles, Japan isn't threatening anyone, and isn't run by singular dictators like NK or China.

Why would it be ok for Japan to have first strike and not NK, because it has been a militarily responsible member of the international community since the last war.

And this really seems to be what it always comes back to, the war, Japan isn't that Japan anymore, do I wish Japan was more apologetic, sure yes, but modern Japan isn't a risk to anyone, other than a few actually very small bothersome territorial claims doesn't seem to have any desire to expand outside of where it already is, I don't think the same can be said for some of Japan's neighbors.

I know you are just in here to stir things up, and possibly even are a representative of China, but come on be reasonable.

Given there have been previous reports that North Korea is equipping some of its Submarine force with missiles, which could have Nuclear warheads. This means they can sail close to the US West coast and sub launch nukes at short range. The US will not allow any capacity for Nukes from North Korea as anything less is a North Korea with an ability to nuke the US. As for having missiles with conventional explosives, I cant see how you can justify trying to take them away as many countries around the world posses this capacity.

@Akie

Apart from the North Korean threat there is the other bigger threat that is not going to go away. China. Thats why the change to the constitution and the higher military spending. As China grows its military capabilities, so must Japan keep pace to disuade China from any reckless moves.

Peter14,

I don't want conflict anywhere near me, but Akie, a very strong China supporter seems to not be aware that unbalanced regions are generally not very stable or peaceful, if China continues its military build up and increased activity it more or less forces others in the region to try and balance that...

what an idiot.  Japan relies entirely on the US for its security (to the extent that it is under any kind of threat) and the US needs Japan for its East Asian bases.

Abe had the chance to be the first to meet with Kim when Trump was still calling Jung Un 'Rocket Man' but Shinzo had no 'Japan First ' policy and instead stayed behind America's shadow.

Dear Prime Minister should not feign surprise if Trumpy of course will practice his election slogan 'America First ' policy and let jester Rocket Man be a real Rocket Man!

Good. Let Akie be attacked. However, Japan's safety is not secure in wars, but in peace. If a stronger China means a threat, then the threat will be there stay for thousand years to come. Abe has to make a choice to get along with China or not. If anyone think Japan is a strong force against China, then he is deadly wrong. There is no way that Japan can ever fight China again, collectively or not, unless it is a suicidal mission fight. Then the question is for what ? Why Japan ? Abe has to make announcement to the world: count Japan out in fighting China.

Abe said, future Japanese should not live in the shadow of the past war. But it is Abe who leads Japan to a new war. Japan is in the hands of a few warmongers, that is the new shadow. All Abe supporters would forgive him for lies and scandals, but they wouldn't forgive him for not changing the peace constitution, even it is based on lies.

Google translation of the article is that Abe can't blame anyone else for his failing government and failing economy. he needs North Korea to blame otherwise it's back to China

I think Japan worries of Normalization of ties like with Nixon/China in 1972.

His fear is understandable after all his Trump brown nosing he gets left out in the cold. But if Abe is meeting Trump next month he can address his concerns then.

Seems he is just playing this up now because of the domestic pressure about Moritomo again. He should be thanking KJU for shooting missiles last year that got Japanese all worried and thinking Abe's "stable" leadership would somehow protect the nation. When his polls numbers were so low and reversed and he got a new mandate.

The other issue with Japan is the always have to bring up the abduction issue, even in the 6 party talks a decade ago they always want shoehorn in the abduction issue. That is a separate issue they need to address with NK one on one. China didn't bring up Senkaku at those meetings, or SK and comfort Women I don't recall but Japan it's always poor bloody Megumi Yokota 14 people missing from 40 years ago is less pressing issue than thousands in armed conflict or worse nuclear war.

If it is such a pressing Issue for Abe and Japan set up a summit to deal with it yourself.

@Akie

You seem to think that China will be strong for thousands of years and that nobody can fight it. It is exactly for those reasons others must build up their military before China gets to thinking it can do anything it wants without repercussion. To underestimate the rest of the world would be a fatal mistake for China.

If Japan gets the right missiles it can match China and any encounter would be less than one sided, and less inclined to happen at all. Abe is on the right track with contitutional reform and a beefed up military. Nothing quite worries China like a strong Japan does.

Akie,

Im not attacking you, Im trying to reply point by point as to why I disagree with you.

Japan doesn't want a war, to even suggest so is blatantly silly, but Japan, nor the people that live here want a slow military backed China takeover of the region.

There is no immediate military threat to China, but they are making political moves, essentially allowing a dictator and are building up their military while flexing their presence around the pacific.... for what purpose?

Despite what you think submission to China or a war are not the only options but what do you expect in the meantime, Japan to simply sit around, of course not, it needs the tools to counter any threat to its sovereignty, and if the US is unable or unwilling then Japan will have to do it itself.

Its not what I would like but China's actions are leaving little choice in the long term.

Again Japan isn't threatening anyone... it is being threatened though by NK very directly.

I don't think that some agreements, trade partnerships and relationship with China are out of the question, Japan and China are already huge trade partners, but they can't simply suit China, they have to be mutually beneficial.

You keep bringing up Abe, I don't understand why, I don't particularly like him, he is a bit revisionist and too right wing for me and this scandal doesn't look good, but ANY Prime Minister of Japan has to put Japan and not China first..

Peter14, I agree, to but also underestimate China would be a huge mistake, it has been very clear for sometime, that China wishes to exert its economic control over the world, and failing that have a backup military plan.. which will end badly for all who wish for peace and freedom.

If Abe is a strong leaderm, he should step in an make them aware of Japans existence and interest/concern in what's going on.

Abe will need to kiss Trump's ass extra hard during this next meeting. Maybe bring him some more of those hamburgers.

Japan should build up their military power in order to keep peace

As with any national leader, Abe must express his concerns to both domestic and international audiences. He definitely wants to remind Trump publicly so that the subject is important. In a way he has put Trump on notice about the shorter range missiles and nuclear bomb capability.

It will be just as interesting if we could get what other Asian countries are responding to this abrupt change in atmosphere. Since most of them are not aligned with the US, they may not be worried about N Korea as is Japan. But both Pakistan and India have been at odds with each other as well as with China. If China aligns with N Korea, they have a major problem in their hands.

Japan should worry more about with what country N Korea aligns itself. It will make things extremely difficult if N Korea aligns with China. As far as the world is concerned N Korea will keep its nuclear arsenal and the missiles. That has been and still is their only bargaining power with US, China and Russia. It will be foolish to give that up. But they may stop further testing of either. They already have the technology they wanted.

If anything, that will be their bargaining point.

kazetsukai, you and katy are perfect couple: build up their military power in order to keep peace. Then don't whining when China develop its strength.

We are not talking about starting a war militarily at this point. We are talking about the possibility of a need for war. Conflicts exist in every relationship. It may or may not end up in war.

War is inevitable when territories are at stake. Only "force" can remove the "intruder".

Reality and not idealism...

History past does not predict the future... it gives a perspective on what could be...

History past cannot restrict the future... future is always wide open...

Change is reality.., and it is constant...

As for N Korea, they are already stuck in between a rock and a hard place... The world community led by US in the past made sure of that... They will continue to be so unless this meeting succeeds...

But, the fact is that at this juncture in this environment, they will not be able to maintain their independence and partnership in the world community for long, once they dispose of their acquired nuclear and missile technology... N as well as S Korea does not have friendly neighbors other than Japan...

That is reality...

Actually the US is holding a very depising manner at Japan's security interest always. Mr.Abe does not believe this but he keep bigotry that everyone in the world has an obligation should protects Japan, everyone must put Japan in their mind first.....etc. Something that is very unrealistic. Japan's diplomacy is very like an illusion that everyone should like tell her the things she has predicted and like to hear!