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Abe says history will prove him right over security bills

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Abe's whole problem is he refuses to give concrete and objective justifications for why this change is necessary. There comes a point when politicians refuse to "put up or shut up" for too long that the public comes to realize that they never had an objective, concrete reason for what they want to do to begin with. I'm fairly sure Abe's crossed that point. This is what happens when you are so arrogant as to believe that the public will do whatever you want simply because you are in charge.

30 ( +38 / -8 )

Looking at history, PM Abe you are so full of BS, you have not learn from History at all.

28 ( +36 / -8 )

The huge difference is that by simply renewing the security treaty in the 1960s, Nobusuke Kishi didn't unilaterally rip up and wipe his derrière with parts of the constitution which had stood for over 70 years with a very clear interpretation.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

History will prove you right eh ?

History already proved that Kishi was arrested (albeit not charged) as a war criminal. I see you want to follow in his footsteps.

17 ( +24 / -7 )

Well, there you have it! That is the clear backwards logic of the Japanese leader. How can you say that history 'will' prove it? History is history and it has happened. If this is a true statement it should already be proven, right?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

This is a line used when someone is ready to proceed despite public opinion. Get ready, he's going to ram this down the throat just like gran pappy did. And the problem is and always has been, what will the Japanese public do?

17 ( +19 / -2 )

He believes the country needs usable "mustles." In recent relations with China and South Korea, not only Abe but also the pride of the general public of Japan was deeply hurt and experienced "melancholy of impotents." Pacifism Japan was no use against barbarisms and aggressive attitudes of China and Korea. Their disrespectful attitudes must have been totally different if Japan had usable "mustles." Also, U.S. Forces on Okinawa proved no use in deterring China's aggressions on Senkaku despite the Japanese government pays a lot of sacrifices keeping U.S. Forces on the islands. The country must protect their lands by themselves.

-22 ( +3 / -25 )

Does Abe even have a choice? This is the 51st state of America and we've been told to toe the line cause their are bullies about.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Abe will not be vindicated by history. He will go down in history as the PM who brought Japan to its knees. Most economists are saying exactly that.

21 ( +25 / -4 )

Abe says history will prove him right over security bills

Don't all megalomaniacs say that?

M3M3M3JUL. 10, 2015 - 07:30AM JST The huge difference is that by simply renewing the security treaty in the 1960s, Nobusuke Kishi didn't unilaterally rip up and wipe his derrière with parts of the constitution which had stood for over 70 years with a very clear interpretation.

Ah, the treaty and constitution weren't even 15 years old when Kishi was PM.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Japan is surrounded by rogue nations, Russia, China, North Korea, South Korea. Russia and S Korea illegally occupied the Northern Territories and Takeshima island, respectively. N Korea abducted several hundreds of Japanese, repeated nuclear tests, and launched many ballistic missiles. China is illegally digging offshore oil fields in the East China Sea and has persisted the Senkaku Islands to belong to them. Three of the rogue nations have nuclear missiles. Moreover, all of them do not establish democracy and stable legislative systems. So they often break promises with other countries and lie. Like Israel, in terms of security, Japan is one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Therefore, it is necessary to establish the right of collective self-defense.

-18 ( +6 / -24 )

If you ask me Abe is "trapped" by his family history and seems to want to justify his grandfather. With that hanging over him he will go through with this because any change will appear in his mind to be a weakness in his family's legacy.

I just feel sorry for the future soldiers who get sent to far flung fire fights. It won't be beautiful and it will certainly be very sad for Japan's families.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

History is Abe's problem.

He's stuck in it.

The problem is its HIS history.

He's marching to the beat of a different drummer.

22 ( +27 / -5 )

Sunrise777JUL. 10, 2015 - 08:29AM JST Therefore, it is necessary to establish the right of collective self-defense.

Japan has collective self-defense with the U.S., who has more fire power in Asia in general and Japan in particular than the combined air and naval power of Russia and China in the region.

Japan's relationship with S. Korea might suck, but it has just as stable and as open society as Japan. A certain number of S. Koreans may like making trouble between the two countries, but they truly hate and fear N. Korea and China. The same is really true for Japan, except that Japan's leader is part of the problem.

The best the region can hope for is a non-violent implosion of N. Korea, though may require a quick airlift of S. Korean and U.S. troops to N. Korean borders with China and Russia just to assure that we don't see a Ukraine like mess.

Japan would be best served in the short run by better training all its military, which, by most account, sucks. I could see adding a few destroyers and beefing up the air force, but the idea that Japan's military is somehow needed overseas in any circumstance is silly.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Abe is politically dead already and equally stupid, there's no need to worry about what he has to say anymore

5 ( +8 / -3 )

You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Abe is probably correct. China's expansionism is a function of how weak and helpless they see their adversary. Witness the focus they have put on the Philippines for that reason. Anyone who actually follows the news ad has half a brain shouldn't require Abe to give concrete reasons. There is a reason why the United States, Australia and many Asian nations are supporting Abe's actions. Of course this runs counter to the Chinese dictatorship's goals and hence all the Abe bashing here. Under Abe Japan is finally accommodating the request that the United States has asked of Japan since 1950. The year Chinese troops entered the Korean Peninsula and killed countless UN troops.

Alistair CarnellJul. 10, 2015 - 07:32AM JST History will prove you right eh ? History already proved that Kishi was arrested (albeit not charged) as a war criminal. I see you want to follow in his >footsteps.

This one takes the cake. So a person who wasn't charged with being a war criminal is a war criminal? If you get arrested for murder but are never charged can we all consider you a murderer?

-18 ( +5 / -23 )

So, a history that the guy himself has helped white-wash and rewrite is going to 'prove him right'? This is the proof that he is goign to do what he wants no matter what the majority of the nation thinks. Way to go, Japan! Just like China.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Nobody in these comments has explained how the right to collective self-defense, enjoyed by every other nation state on Earth, is in any way controversial. Somehow I doubt that any of you condemning it are actual pacifists.

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

Which history? His version of it or the truth?

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Who said Asians view this as uncontroversial. Vast majority of Asians do not want Japan to be dragged into American conflicts. Only some Asian politicians for ego and other reasons are supportive.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Abe your grandfather was wrong about the war and you saying "trust me" isn't winning any votes.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

History will prove Abe right when, and only when, he has finished re-writing it to suit himself and his private agenda.

And what's with that feeble clenched fist salute that Japanese politicians feel obliged to perform from time to time?

6 ( +8 / -2 )

However, it has proved deeply unpopular among academics and Japan’s public, who are deeply wedded to the commitment to pacifism.

Collective self defense by Japanese defense force means defending a country other than Japan. Japanese public is not convinced how defending other countries would contribute to the peace and safety of Japan. Abe also states that exercise of collective self defense by Japanese forces would not increase the risks to Japanese soldiers, and that there is no chance that Japanese forces would be involved into a US led war. These statements just increase the disbelief by Japanese public.

"To protect Japan, it is necessary to strengthen Japan-U.S. security ties," Abe said.

He is not talking about any new security treaty with the US. He is just saying that by pledging to protect the US, the US will feel obliged and protect Japan in return beyond what the current security treaty stipulates.

It is just a wishful thinking.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

'Of course this runs counter to the Chinese dictatorship's goals and hence all the Abe bashing here.'

The mad world of the refugees of the John Birch Society. The commies are brainwashing us and their supporters on social media. Thankfully, we have OssanAmerica to stand in their way.

Give it a break. Abe is a dangerous rightist and the majority of the Japanese public are very wary of his nationalist agenda.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Washington, which for 70 years has been the guarantor of Japan’s security, has welcomed the move, which to many foreign eyes seems relatively uncontroversial.

i'm generally not a fan of AFP reporting, but this is a key line from this news. besides china and korea, the rest of the world thinks nothing of japan having a more robust military posture. and in polls in japan, a majority don't understand the bills that abe is attempting to pass, but they don't outright reject them.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

"History will prove I'm right" is the last, meaningless argument by someone who doesn't have one.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Abe's "reinterpretation" of the constitution is like reinterpreting 1+1 to be 3. It is wrong and cannot be justified. This is why Abe refuses to explain his illegal legislation, despite numerous promises to do so.

If the supreme court had any independence it would strike down this legislation the moment it passes. But they haven't and they won't. This country becomes more like China every day.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Abe is really the wrong man for Japan at this time. He is a person totally, completely, and utterly stuck in the past. Born in 1954, he is more obsessed with the half-century or so that preceded his date of birth than he is with anything going on right now in 2015.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Thank god nepotism will no longer run in his family.

And bringing up his grandfather doesn't do anything - Kishi should have been tried properly, but instead, since the Americans were so obsessed with getting one up on the communists, not only let people like him and those directly connected to the slaughter of innocent people off, but let them go on to become leading politicians.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

"Now let me go start a war and prove how right I am..."

7 ( +9 / -2 )

I think the last person I heard say that was Tony Blair, as he led the UK into an invasion of Iraq which the public did not support and which history has proven to be complete and utter disaster. Says it all.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

I'm sure if the LDP and their allies are still in power in the future, there's no doubt whatsoever that Abe will be proven right in the Japanese history textbooks...

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I agree w/ Mr Abe. The what thought too to our President Aguino. Our media w/ poor knowledge making him mess in the eyes of public. They are static on the way they think about the matters.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Abe's move is based on gaiatsu, and is not for the national interest of Japan.

http://csis.org/files/publication/120810_Armitage_USJapanAlliance_Web.pdf

"The U.S.-Japan Alliance, anchoring stability in asia" by

Richard L. Armitage

Joseph S. Nye

(page 23) A change in Japan’s prohibition of collective self-defense would address that irony in full. A shift in policy should not seek a unified command, a more militarily aggressive Japan, or a change in Japan’s Peace Constitution. Prohibition of collective self-defense is an impediment to the alliance.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Considering Mr Abe's attitude to how history should be written, of course it will vindicate him. His friends are probably at their desks writing it as I type.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

History will prove he was a right-wing nationalist with elements of fascism.

3 ( +11 / -8 )

Prime minister Abe tries to pass the security bills without revealing the costs to the public.

According to a major newspaper in U.K., www(.)telegraph(.)co(.)uk, the OECD said Japan's government debt, currently at a world record 226 % of GDP, would balloon to more than 400 % by 2040 if the government did not carry out reforms. "With a budget deficit of around 8 % of GDP, Japan's debt ratio is set to rise further into uncharted territory,"

According to www(.)treasurydirect(.)gov, the USA has the world's biggest national debt, US$ 18151 billion (18.15 trillion) which has grown bigger every year for the last 20 years. The debt is more than 102% of its GDP.

US president Obama said US pres. G. Bush spent at least US$ 2000 billion (2 trillion) on the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. A lot of that money is borrowed from foreign countries. This does not include the continuing costs, at least for 20 years, at least billions of US $ every year, of paying monthly disability benefits to tens of thousands of disabled US military personnel and the survivors of those who died, until they die. US$ = 121.7 yen.

According to www(.)mof(.)go(.)jp/english/ ,Japan's government debt, is over one quadrillion yen (US$10.46 trillion), over 226% of GDP. Japanese citizens have the right to ask PM Abe to provide a true estimate of the cost of carrying out the military actions, at least hundreds of billions of yen "every year", if the security bills are passed.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

On the fence regarding this issue. On the one hand, Japan has some really tough (abnormal in the case of North Korea) and pushy neighbors and may be required to bear its fangs from time to time to keep other beasts at bay. However, Japanese xenophobia is not a very comfortable thought either.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

there might a good reason to have some ammendments to article 9, but with reasons given by Abe and some of his supporters here, its just cause mind boggling. giving an example of history/grandfather to justify his actions is just out of topic.

maybe he's bragging about his family, who cares. family affairs has nothing to do with article 9, the country and the lives of those who will serve in those wars should be first and foremost, not only when serving, but afterwards.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

History will prove he was a right-wing nationalist with elements of fascism.

If arguing for the right to collective self-defense makes you a fascist, than every other nation state on the planet aside from Japan is logically a fascist state. You agree then that China is a fascist state, right?

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

Has Abe san even hesitated to consider the cost to the tax payer?....... U.S.Treasury Department has and explains the deafening silence everything J politician mention changing article 9.....Think arrows Abe san, concentrate on arrow number 3.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

ABE is really right in every move he did and about to do specially in Security.

China already finished evaluating their whole-world deployment of Type-94 Nuclear Submarine, and is about to succeed in developing a copy or fake-copy of STIRLING Submarine, has already more submarine than USA etc. Also, NK is only 3 years (maximum) away of developing ballistic missile that could reach USA and cruise-missile with pinpoint accuracy of hitting Japan.

70 year after WW2, Japan should also, if possible build 70 KAWASAKI-P1 Submarine Hunter, 70 batteries of PAC-2/PAC-3 and future PAC-4 Patriot Missile Defense, 70 Aegis-equipped ships and 70 squadron (850 jets) of premium interceptors composed of F-15, F2 and F-35 (or its own 5th Gen Fighter).

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

I love how he cites his war criminal grandfather as 'proof' that he is doing what's right and that history will view him as correct. It means he's going to do what he wants regardless of the fact that no one wants him to and that it will be at the very least extremely questionable and potentially criminal, it means he thinks he can just get away with it, and ultimately that he sees 'beautiful Japan' as one that returns to the days of war crimes, abuse, and hatred.

Quite the dear leader.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

Abe, you do not own Japan. You must only represent people's will. You don't care about the future of our children because you don't have one. You must know how Japanese people hate wars and love peaceful life. Japan is so unfortunate to have you there following your own interests and fantasies.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Naked narcissism.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

History will prove him a fool of the highest order. Here he is, thinking he's his grandaddy's successor. Time for the Japanese people to wake up, take to the streets, and throw him out

2 ( +8 / -6 )

I only have one issuewith Abe as he is rich and daily staples for him are not affected by the consumption tax. Other than that, he is doing great.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Time for the Japanese people to wake up, take to the streets, and throw him out

None of your business. Many Japanese people woke up now so we support our PM.

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

I've been working with someone from a military background in one of the world's longest running juntas. This person, despite having advanced interpersonal skills, displays zero empathy for those unrelated to them.

The disconnect goes way beyond Japan's Uchi vs Soto, however I'm increasingly reminded of Shinzo Abe, the very cold, transactional manner in which he and his cronies operate, and utter disdain they show for dissent.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

None of your business. Many Japanese people woke up now so we support our PM.

Have you seen Abe's approval ratings recently? You're very much in the minority.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

@silenece is not accurate: wrong, it is our business, because Abe is repeating the mistakes of 70 years ago and who can say Japan will not harm again other peoples or harm my country or other countries??? (Japanese leaders promised its people 70 years that Japan was doing the right thing when in fact it was brutally submitting other innocent countries to its thirst for extreme aggression.) So you are wrong, as Japanese people have woken up to see FINALLY how dangerous Abe and the security bills are to Japanese people and Japan's neighbors/the world. If you say Japanese people support your PM, then why almost all the legal experts, academics and Japanese people say Abe is breaking the law and twisting/damaging the constitution? More likely, those few Japanese who support Abe and his security bills could be brainwashed. So the questions are: Why do the Japanese say the security bills are unconsitutional? If you say they are not unconstitional, then the questions is: so Japanese people do not care about legal logic and rules? Are you as war-hungry as Abe? Can you stomach a war until its conclusion? Isn't the peace-based consitution the safest bet/way to ensure peace (as no other party can have any reason to harm Japan, as long as Japan doesn't do anything wrong or provcative).

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Japan is surrounded by rogue nations, Russia... South Korea....

South Korea and Russia are rogue nations??

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Sunrise777 and OssanAmerica: in regards to your comments citing "China" and CHina as a "rogue state", the main POINT is not about "perceived enemies" (or their own claims) that Abe is hyping up/exaggerates for his own end, but about the VALIDITY of these security bills. When a nation's leader refuses and censors its own legal experts and academics' (numbering in the hundreds/thousands, not counting the other professionals, teachers, doctors, lawyers, artists, writers, even the SDF members themselves, and not counting over 70% of the general population) warnings that he is breaking the foundations and laws of the country, then you know you got much more than a rogue nation (i.e. Abe is no different from Hitler nor North Korea nor Putin, as many have commented)... and equally scary, what else will Abe do after that?...he can do virtually anything he wants - next: conscription, next nuclear bombs, invade another country with the U.S. (as it did in Iraq, twice, etc.). With Abe it is a MISTAKE to trust his promises that there are limits to the security bills - the fact that these security bills are already being manufactured BEYOND the limits of the constitution proves this.

So how will history prove Abe justified, as he claims?

So, really??... history will prove Abe and his 'war-criminal' (not convicted, conveniently) grandpa's thinking right? Already these security bills are proving only one thing: Japan's constitution is a joke if someone can easily , like a dictator, circumvent the rules and re-fashion some parts to fit his own rightwing agenda. So in this regard alone, how can history prove Abe right? And if these bills will later prove Abe wrong, will Japan have the stomach to finish a war (that could start from a small scale skirmish, for example) and prepare to face the consequences? .. because it will be too late to stop a war. All this kind of warped logic makes pro-security bills talk truly war-mongering and lacking basic honest logical thinking. Nuff said.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Japan needs it's own army. War has been around since man could first pick up a blunt object and now those objects are bigger, heat seeking, and don't even require man to operate them anymore.

It's sad war is real, but it is real, and war will always be real. What's wrong with a country wanting to protect itself and relying on itself for protection?

IS still slaughters hundreds of innocents a day. Thousands upon thousands are fleeing from their homelands across the world to escape some kind of persecution. China is building freaking islands for military airstrips. North Korea executes it's own citizens and threatens to wipe out the west. Israel and Palestine aren't going to just decide one day to let bygones be bygones. Russia just invaded a country and no one is stopping them.

Threats are all around us. Protecting oneself from some unforeseen or foreseen event isn't wrong. You can't say that one day Japan won't start a war in the future, but you can say that about any country and no one is trying to stop them from having their own military.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Yeah Abe. History will "prove you right" because you'll be distorting all the history books as you have done, forcing your own view of history on the Japanese people with revisions to history textbooks in Japan, and by sending your govt officials to the US to "correct" their view of history. unimpressed..

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Have you seen Abe's approval ratings recently? You're very much in the minority.

Yes, but I don't think I am very much in the minority at all. And if you are talking about ratings by Asahi Shimbun or Mainichi Shimbun or other Anti-Japanese media, I don't trust them.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Yes, but I don't think I am very much in the minority at all. And if you are talking about ratings by Asahi Shimbun or Mainichi Shimbun or other Anti-Japanese media, I don't trust them.

What about this:

A Nippon Television poll at the weekend found support for Mr Abe at just 41 per cent

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/67689c7c-131d-11e5-bd3c-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3fTXv4uYx

Nippon Television is controlled, as you know, by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Are they anti-Japanese, too?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@ringman We try to harm other countries??? Stop your delusion, please. NOBODY wants to harm other countries in Japan. And if I think PM Abe wants to do war, I will NEVER support him.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Abe is right ???

yeah sure, like the fascist Japanese. With Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, they were surely proven right. If thanks to Mr Abe, Japan enters war with (for example) China and/or Russia, Korea or whoever, and Tokyo, Osaka get nuked, he will be surely be proven right, like the likes of his grandfather, once again...

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

@sunrise777

Your description of South Korea as a rogue state is trully absurd, it really is from another reality altogether. I happen to be in Seoul right now (on holiday from Tokyo where I live), and it is absolutely as open, free and democratic as Japan; in fact it is more similar to Japan than anyplace else on the planet (while of course being different in many ways)

@silence

Many Japanese woke up now so we support our PM

I witnessed an enormous demonstration in Sapporo a few weeks ago against Abe and his attempts to reinterpret the constitution, it was by far the largest protest I've ever seen in Japan. It looks to me like many Japanese have woken up alright; but not in the way you mean.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

People are just not thinking this through and are caught up on this idea that having a strong military means war is imminent. It's not.

I don't like Abe but I support a country in the right to arm itself. I mean, what, if Japan has no real military to speak of, they'll live in the land of milk and honey and be free from harm and have no enemies? I know everyone here would love to live in this idealistic land where there is no hate, where all conflicts are solved by talking, and then one day you realize the Americans are reducing the size of their military and you're all alone in the Pacific.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

@tina

They don't use kanji very much, no. But they do use them sometimes, and half of their vocabulary is originally based on Chinese characters even though it is no longer written with them e.g. the Korean word for 'safety' sounds almost the same as the Chinese word, which sounds almost the same as the Japanese word 'anzen' and is written with the same characters. The list of other such similarities is long. The most similar language to Japanese is in fact Korean; the grammar is extremely close. I know that Korea and Japan are different; but there are many similarities too. And South Korea is most certainly not a rogue state against which Japan needs to alter its constitution! They are a state with which Japan really ought to be seeking closer ties and cooperation, given the other much more threatening neighbours in the region.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

China wants land from everyone. China is now befriending Pakistan the nation born out of violence and spearheading violence in the world with 80 percent of its population suffering. The only nation China is afraid of is the Japanese since in the last war as many as 30 million Chinese were killed. China is equipping herself with all kinds of arms so why not Japan? If Japan cooperates with India and the US we might be able to keep the region in peace for another 20 years!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Nippon Television is controlled, as you know, by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Are they anti-Japanese, too?

I don't think NTV is controlled. Yomiuri Shimbun only a little bit better than Asahi or Mainichi.

@Yoshitune

Demonstration in Sapporo were organized by Japanese Community Party. They love to do demonstration.......

@Christopher Glen

If PM Abe thinks need Army then because of SELF-DEFENSE.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Japanese Community Party. They love to do demonstration.......

Do you mean the Communist Party?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@ Yoshitune

YES!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

WHAT?? Abe, who is being assailed for security bills that opponents say will drag Tokyo into American wars. OPPONENTS? The article should be corrected in that region the countries Japan have historical beef with will drag the US in to their regional wars. Japan needs their own military to fight their own battles, don't blame the US for ABE and his grandfathers actions!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@silence

I don't think it was the Communist Party. They may have been in the mix somewhere, but I didn't see a single Communist banner, flag or t-shirt.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

what, if Japan has no real military to speak of, they'll live in the land of milk and honey and be free from harm and have no enemies? I know everyone here would love to live in this idealistic land where there is no hate, where all conflicts are solved by talking, and then one day you realize the Americans are reducing the size of their military and you're all alone in the Pacific.

But Japan already has a very strong self-defence force. There is no necessity for an offensive military.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

'I don't think NTV is controlled. Yomiuri Shimbun only a little bit better than Asahi or Mainichi'

Just out of interest, which media outlets do you regard as not anti-Japanese? I've never yet come across anyone who would describe the Yomiuri as anything other than at the least right of centre. Your standards seem very extreme...

0 ( +1 / -1 )

When a leader starts to evoke "history" he knows he will soon be history.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@Yoshitsune

I don't think it was the Communist Party. They may have been in the mix somewhere, but I didn't see a single Communist banner, flag or t-shirt.

Of course, you didn't see. This demonstration's organizer was ''officially'' 19-year-old woman. But I heard Communist Party and some Leftist organizations supported behind her back.

@Jimizo

Tohkaishimpo

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

I'm really starting to feel that certain "democratic and freedom-loving" countries who are ridden with seemingly un-payable debt need, not want, but need to have a war sooner than later. I think it's really the only solution for them to clear their debt, sadly to say. The longer the peace last, the more they become disadvantaged.

On the other side however, the longer the peace last, the more they benefit since it's the perfect time to do some "catching-up".

1 ( +1 / -0 )

China is forcing Japan's hand. That is all.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Nobody in these comments has explained how the right to collective self-defense, enjoyed by every other nation state on Earth, is in any way controversial. Somehow I doubt that any of you condemning it are actual pacifists.

So true. The right of collective self defense guaranteed in the U.N. Charter and it's about time Japan exercize such right and form two way alliances with states that share democratic values. The days of solely relying on a piece of paper "Anpo" to protect oneself have long been over.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

@serendipitous

China is forcing Japan's hand. That is all.

Absolutely correct.

Japan would love to remain at peace and, if it was in some other geographic location that respected neutrality, like Europe, it would remain at peace and neutral. It is not though.

Unfortunately Japan is in a geographic location with neighbors who have not evolved sufficiently to respect and abide by International Law (China, North Korea, Russia to some extent).

On top of which it is also sandwiched between them and America's hegemonic claims and is, hence, likely to catch some anti-American flack.

Japan is likely to very quickly manifest itself as a nuclear power when the time comes, but it will probably be at America's beckoning.

Such policy changes are directed from a supra-national level above so call democratic process.

Abe is just the puppet, not the master mind or director, and that is why so much of the Chinese ire aimed personally at him is just plain silly and misdirected.

He'll play his role and be rewarded very well for it afterwards when another puppet is promoted to election.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

I support Japan dumping Article Nine. I do not support the attempt here to 're-interpret' Art. 9 to read exactly the opposite of what it means.

The people of Japan should decide this.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Many people in the J-government talk about "colonialism was good for Korea, it was really good for China” and this kind of thing. And that’s the kind of people that Japanese national security people work closest with and prefer in power over democratic elements in Japan. You’ve got this new, extreme right-wing leader of the country. The key point is that the nuclear industry, of course, is part of the military industry. And they don’t have nuclear weapons but they could easily build nuclear weapons. They have everything they need except actual bomb-making facilities. But the Japanese defense industry is hungry for overseas markets. And that’s what this is going to open up. You have these giant Japanese conglomerates, like Mitsubishi that make their weapons, that they already make. And you have U.S. defense contractors, are already getting lots of deals, and looking forward to Japan being a big market, an expanded market, in working Japanese companies, to export weapons. So this is a big payoff also for the defense/military industry, in Japan and the U.S.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Well, in this case, reinterpreting the blind...

The old will lead the old, and they will both fall into a pit.

In which case... what is the forecast then?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

You get what you vote for and you have no one else to blame but yourselves. If the Japanese are so disgusted and against Abe's and the LDP's proposals & measures, then vote them out of office. Afterall, they are the elected representatives chosen by the majority of people to lead the nation forward. Voting is how you make your voice heard.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

If the Japanese are so disgusted and against Abe's and the LDP's proposals & measures

They're not.

And DPJ's own security bill is in of itself is a joke. As Abe eloquently put, it trying to defend an oncoming missile with a pistol.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

It seems that most Japanese don't agree with you

0 ( +3 / -3 )

It sounds like Abe is trying to write his name in the history books and revive Japan of the past.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

It seems that most Japanese don't agree with you

That's the point.

Tame compared to Anpo days of 1960. Hence the comparison.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

You get what you vote for. I talked with one Japanese man, a well educated one at that, the other day about this issue, and he told me he supported Abe on this issue because he said that it wasn't good for Japan to always depend on and expect the U.S. to be there to come to Japan's rescue. He went on to say that he understood the uneasiness Japan's neighbors felt, but, he went on, Japan has to live in the present and not the past. I wonder how many other Japanese share similar views.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Many of you reviewers do not understand the purposes of the security bills. The Constitution allows Japan to use military force to attack any country that attacks Japan.

The security bills would allow Japan's military "go into battle even if there is no direct threat to Japan or its people" =========================================================================================== as quoted from above. PM Abe wants to send Japan's military to fight in support of the troops of other countries like the USA even when the national security of Japan is not affected, as in former Yugoslavia in Europe, or in Africa.

Japanese citizens should oppose the security bills for the following reasons :

(1) Wars are very expensive, both in financial and human costs. The USA has raked up the world's biggest external debt of at least US$ 18.1 trillion or US$ 18 100 billion, over 102% of its GDP, mainly because it spent a lot of that debt on wars. The problem is a lot of that debt is owed to foreign countries. In 2014, US exports totaled US $ 1.61 trillion or 1610 billion according to CIA World Factbook. According to US president Obama, US pres. G. Bush "borrowed" a lot of money from foreign countries to pay for the more than US$ 2 trillion fighting the Iraq and Afghan wars alone.

(2) Payments for benefits, housing, foods, etc for military personnel who are killed or permanently disabled make up a big part of the national budget of the USA "every year", at least hundred of billion of dollars. These payments are made to the injured and the survivors of the dead "every year, for at least 20 years until they die".

(3) Japan has the world's biggest external debt as a percentage of GDP, over 226% of its GDP, at over US$10.4 trillion. Japan's government has been spending more money than it receives. The deficit is around 8% of GDP. 1 US$= 122 yen

(4) The money to be spent on these unnecessary military operations can be better spent on bettering the education, lives, etc, of many Japanese citizens. There are millions of Japanese out there living in poverty and struggling with paying their living expenses.

(5) For example, if Japan joins another country in attacking a Middle East Muslim country, then Japanese citizens will become the targets of terrorists from Muslim countries anywhere in the world.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

While I think Abe is wrong to pursue this, I'd like to clear up a few points. The USA isn't pushing for this. We're actually reducing our military presence because the American people have made it pretty clear with our votes that we don't support foreign wars. That's why we're not involved in Syria or Egypt or even Ukraine. Even if the government is ready for war the people are not. If Japan is still a democracy then the people's will should be respected. The world, including Japan, has not suffered for a lack of a militarized Japan. Don't fix what isn't broken. I say this with all respect to your culture. I'm glad your nation isn't like mine. Savor peace.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

That's why we're not involved in Syria or Egypt or even Ukraine.

Wrong word, but I get you're point.

That's why we're not sending battalion's and mechanized infantry over to Syria or Egypt or even Ukraine.

Would have worked better

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Really wouldn't have, considering how much we were asked to intervene, how quickly Congress started talking about rushing to the rescue and how quickly they retracted those desires when public opinion was a flat "No." Other countries are far more involved than we are which in most cases amounted to "Here. Take some money and weapons and fight your own wars. We really can't justify putting troops on foreign soil. It's not our war." In the most extreme cases we send troops in a purely advisory capacity. Their orders are to assist with Intel and training but not engage in combat.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Ukraine-At first it was non-lethal aid (night vision wear, medical supplies, kevlar, intelligence, satellite information, etc), plus 5 billion over the last 10 years to buy the right people and set up "Democracy" offices, and I'm guessing some black budget weapons.

Syria-bombing runs with jets and drones, lethal hardware drops, intelligence and logistics.

And of course we'll never know what the CIA is doing.

"Here. Take some money and weapons and fight your own wars

I would not call that "not involved". The US is actively participating in all of these situations, just not on a major scale, but still involved.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Abe says history will prove him right over security bills

He is kidding!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Maybe the country can reinterpret his job

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Abe says history will prove him right" Blair said exactly the same thing but it seems to have proved the opposite.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

History will not be rewritten by Abe or Japan or any other nation. World media won't allow anyone to rewrite anything. Abe will retire believing he did right. It will be the next PM, or one soon after, who will use the rewritten constitution and suit it for his own prideful activities. Remember K Marx? He didn't kill anyone, he just opened a door and others used his manifesto. I can't say China or South Korea or North Korea or Russia are on the right tract but Japan is not and never has been a pacifist culture...only among their tight groups. Within their culture there's order, structure. Outside it, it's a free-for-all. To proactively attack anyone is technically aggression. One cannot say he was about to hit me so I hit him first. Especially in the Orient that won't go. I'm just waiting for the conscription to start.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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