Abe says horrors of war must never be repeated

@OssanAmerica

Poster "simon foster" stated that Abe is preparing for war and I challenged him to support that statement. He still hasn't. There is no need to "misinterpret" or "invent"any articles on China that appear on JT. They correspond to similar articles that appear on global news sources, with the exception of the Chinese media which are all government controlled.

I see. So that might justify one of your comments on China. How about the other 19? Misinterpretation is when you construe the facts into an alternative reality. Which IMHO is exactly what you are doing. Or are you saying that extremist articles on the internet make your opinions look tame in comparison?

You (and zichi) hang around a Japan related site just to badmouth Japan and support a dictatorship that is threatening the region and suppressing it's citizens I suggest you both get a life.

Pls compare your comment count to mine. I only comment when I have something useful to say, unlike you who spouts forth on every single article without thought or justification. Seriously, please consider anger management, you'll feel better for it :)

What is alarming is this comment by Isozaki Yosuke, "Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security", and a member of the House of Councilors. https://twitter.com/isozaki_yousuke/status/487005622236221442

"There is no such a thing like Declaration of War, when war is illegal under international law."

He should remember what happened when Japan attacked Pear Harbor and British bases in Malaysia calling it defense act and without issuing Declaration of War.

With a top advisor like him, Abe administration will start a "defense act" without prior warning.

Japan was one of the biggest contributors to what China is today by building factories there and giving away Japanese peoples jobs, giving them their technology all in the name of corporate greed. And now they are crying that China is this bully that wants to take over the world and we have to build up the military and increase defense spending to protect us from being enslaved by this communist menace. If China is really this much of a threat then stop the economic cooperation, close the factories, and stop issuing visas for Chinese to visit Japan. It seems to me like Japan and the US want to have their cake and eat it to by continuing economic cooperation and at the same time using China as an excuse for bigger military budgets.

Abe has shot himself in the foot. China's a threat, but Abe's way of going about it has been all wrong. What he should have done from the beginning is make the apologies for WW2 and not raise questions about "well, we don't know if that's ACTUALLY what happened..." That, coupled with his far-right appointees, his repeated visits to Yasukuni, his secrecy law of highly questionable legality, and his reinterpretation of Article 9 have only served to drive people further away from Japan.

If he were smart, he would have played this more strategically and not played cowboy. Then he could have gone to South Korea (and the rest of the world for that matter) and said, "look, China's not making any sense. Everything they say is in direct contradiction to the things I've done."

Instead, he's chosen to play right into China's hands, acting more and more like the militarist the Chinese claim he is.

Zichi I don't for a moment you actually live in Kobe. Where in Kobe? Maybe we're neighbors. If you really loved in Japan you'd be even more concerned about China's belligerence than I am. Isn't it funny that I have been obsessed with the direction China has taken since 2009? Just about when China started to drop it's "peaceful rise" lie? Your constant anti-Japan position puts you smack in the pro-Chinese dictatorship camp. As for time to waste I'm not one looking up some poster's posting history over the past 5 years.

MlodinowJul. 15, 2014 - 01:46AM JST Ossan, this is an article about Japan (with a footnote about its relationship with China. Why is every single one of your >20 or so comments about China? must you really misinterpret every article on this site so as to invent yourself an >opportunity to attack China?

Poster "simon foster" stated that Abe is preparing for war and I challenged him to support that statement. He still hasn't. There is no need to "misinterpret" or "invent"any articles on China that appear on JT. They correspond to similar articles that appear on global news sources, with the exception of the Chinese media which are all government controlled.

I suggest you take anger management or something. Seriously.

You (and zichi) hang around a Japan related site just to badmouth Japan and support a dictatorship that is threatening the region and suppressing it's citizens I suggest you both get a life.

0

Good| Bad

zichiJul. 15, 2014 - 01:53AM JST

Ossan, this is an article about Japan (with a footnote about its relationship with China. Why is every single one of your 20 or so comments about China?

for at least 5 years on this forum he's written the same stuff about China, whenever, wherever don't matter much to him?

Ossan, this is an article about Japan (with a footnote about its relationship with China. Why is every single one of your 20 or so comments about China? must you really misinterpret every article on this site so as to invent yourself an opportunity to attack China?

I suggest you take anger management or something. Seriously.

Why is it that Russia can be China's ally but Japan cannot? A lot of work is needed here but nothing is impossible.

Simon FostonJul. 14, 2014 - 03:19PM JST ...then harp on it forever... If you want some classic examples of harping on about something forever, read some of your own comments. I'm not >going to say another word on this topic, but I suspect you're going to go and on about it incessantly, basically saying >the same thing over and over again. If that's not pointless I don't know what is.

You obviously don't. Every point I make repetitive or not can be supported, You on the other hand make a comment and when challenged to support it go off on a pointless tangent as exemplified by your above post which says absolutely nothing as regards your original point or even the article. Your posts are a waste of time and off topic.

...then harp on it forever...

If you want some classic examples of harping on about something forever, read some of your own comments. I'm not going to say another word on this topic, but I suspect you're going to go and on about it incessantly, basically saying the same thing over and over again. If that's not pointless I don't know what is.

excellent related article about China, the US, and Japan during WW2 http://sinosphere.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/07/10/q-and-a-rana-mitter-on-world-war-iis-legacy-in-asia/?mabReward=RI%3A14&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&region=CColumn&module=Recommendation&src=rechp&WT.nav=RecEngine

J.basherJul. 14, 2014 - 07:47AM JST If Japan really doesn't want war, It should get rid of it SDF, and announce to the world that it is a Peace loving country >and do not need any arms, and the world should, Respect Japan as a PEACE loving country.

"Peace Loving Country" means that it will not start wars, But every country has a right to defend itself according to the United Nations. In contrast this is China's position: "The recent spate of bellicose militaristic rhetoric emanating out of Chinese state media has continued in the form of a 7,500 word Xinhua editorial which outlines how Chinese president Xi Jinping has ordered the People’s Liberation Army to prepare for war." http://www.infowars.com/chinese-president-orders-pla-to-prepare-for-war/

If Japan really doesn't want war, It should get rid of it SDF, and announce to the world that it is a Peace loving country and do not need any arms, and the world should, Respect Japan as a PEACE loving country.

Simon FostonJul. 13, 2014 - 11:32AM JST "A pointless WHAT IF question that doesn't support your position.". Which you can't or won't answer.

Interesting arguing tactic. Unable to support your original statement you introduce an irrelevant hypothetical question then harp on it forever. It is pointless to answer a purely hypothetical question. Please substantiate your original statement that "Abe is preparing for war".

Wow! I struck a chord with some emperor worshipers with my comment. "Praise and glory' anyone?

A pointless WHAT IF question that doesn't support your position...

Which you can't or won't answer.

Simon FostonJul. 13, 2014 - 06:51AM JST "Well the Americans ARE around so what's the point of asking such a question? I would have thought it was obvious. Or would you prefer just not to answer?

A pointless WHAT IF question that doesn't support your position, You can not support your statement that Abe is "preparing for war" while I have proven that China is doing exactly that.

Well the Americans ARE around so what's the point of asking such a question?

I would have thought it was obvious. Or would you prefer just not to answer?

Speaking of defense spending, the largest by far is the US $640 billion. If that does not make Japan feel safe, what else will?

Akikio: What missile? Who is firing? You act as if someone is already attacking us. As I stated before, I have no problem with a truly defensive anti-missile program. I don't support an arms race with China, preemtive strikes, nor jumping into every war that the uSIs continuously evolved in. ReformedBasher: Your words, (claiming subs armed with anti-ship missiles are offensive weaponry shouts to me loud and clear that you are speaking complete fluff) YOUR responce says you disagree that these subs are offensive weapons! NOW you clarify that all weapons could be used offensively or defensively, much different than your first statement. Secondly, the original Patriot missile could ONLY be used for defensive uses, the newest updated system NOW can be used to attack.

Simon FostonJul. 12, 2014 - 01:49PM JST "An increase in defense spending to $49 billion as a reaction to a neighbor who spends $188 billion is "preparing for war"? What do you call it?

Defense spending, FORCED upon it by a belligerent China that is on a massive military and territorial expansion program.

Moreover, how much do you think they would spend if they could afford it, and the Americans weren't around?

Well the Americans ARE around so what's the point of asking such a question?

@Alex80, Did the US government tell Abe to go to Yasukuni? It is not a personal matter.

@storm, more noise coming from China and Korea simply because there is a lot of them here in Japan occupying good places in business and some where else and must have been airheads so as to plan to divide Japan between themselves t Talk to a few of them and you will understand.

War is a horror itself no mater how delicate we want to be.

Abe dug a big hole for himself and Japan. He tried to discredit China everywhere he went to no avail. His intelligence must have told him how his aggressive stance has failed in Europe, prompting even Merkel to hint at his belligerence! African nations ignore him and the Middle East is too complicated for insular Japan to understand. Even ASEAN is wary of him and he knows that. Good at least he is toning down.

@komo1: He need to educate himself in History? He is a Japanese. He knows who wanted to include Article 9. Do you? Have you read about VisCountessa Torio and Kady who contributed to Creation of Peace Constitution?

There are many history stories you don't find in MacArthur himself confirmed Shidehara's authorship on several occasions. However, according to some interpretations, he denied having done so, and the inclusion of Article 9 was mainly brought about by the members of Government Section (民政局, Min-Sei-Kyoku) of Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (GHQ) (連合国軍最高司令官, Rengō-Koku-Gun-Saikō-Shirei-Kan), especially Charles Kades, one of Douglas MacArthur's closest associates. The article was endorsed by the Diet of Japan on November 3, 1946. Kades rejected the proposed language that prohibited Japan's use of force” for its own security," believing that self-preservation was the right of every nation. English version or even Japanese version.

MacArthur himself confirmed Shidehara's authorship on several occasions. However, according to some interpretations, he denied having done so, and the inclusion of Article 9 was mainly brought about by the members of Government Section (民政局, Min-Sei-Kyoku) of Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (GHQ) (連合国軍最高司令官, Rengō-Koku-Gun-Saikō-Shirei-Kan), especially Charles Kades, one of Douglas MacArthur's closest associates. The article was endorsed by the Diet of Japan on November 3, 1946. Kades rejected the proposed language that prohibited Japan's use of force” for its own security," believing that self-preservation was the right of every nation.

I'd bet you never heard Queen of Rokumei-kan Era, so don't tell Japanese to educate in history.

Abe words mean little. He say the things he thinks his audience wants to hear. Remember last year, just after he got back from meeting with Putin, with whom he got along swimmingly, he visited the Kuriles? And laid on the anti-Russian rhetoric as thick as a Tea Bagger in June?

Yep, Abe's words mean nothing. The important thing is what policies he's pushing. And here is, in nutshell, the most important thing regardign war and peace:

Regarding national border, Abe supports the status quo.

That makes him pro-peace, in my book.

Do those friends include South Korea, North Korea and China?

Obviously not. The belligerent attitude of SK and PRC was the very reason Mr Abe had to use the word "friends" in his speech instead of a more wide term including all Asian nations. You know you are sad and pitiful nation when you are less cooperative than the DPRK.

Moreover, how much do you think they would spend if they could afford it, and the Americans weren't around?

Still far less than the commies?

There is a special place in Dante's Infero (sic) for liars and hypocrites like Abe.

You have no evidence that Mr Abe is either a liar or a hypocrite. Commies like Xi on the other hand tell more lies before lunchtime than most people do in a lifetime.

I'm happy to know that Abe admits that Japan did wrong and they will not do that again.

On the contrary, Shinzo Abe is the face of Japan that to this day refuses to fully acknowledge their past wrongs. Formal apologies have been offered by Japan in the 1990s but have largely been tainted by numerous attempts by high ranking Japanese politicians to deny, question, or downplay the war crimes, including Abe.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/shinzo-abes-inability-to-face-history/2013/04/26/90f5549c-ae87-11e2-a986-eec837b1888b_story.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/03/opinion/another-attempt-to-deny-japans-history.html?_r=0

In Berlin there are many memorials to victims of their war crimes. There aren't any in Tokyo, to my knowledge. In fact, most Japanese youths grow up knowing precious little about Japanese imperial era, so no wonder they scratch their heads at why they struggle to get along with their 2 closest neighbours.

I see his point and his intentions and he speaks the truth. Many Asian countries have suffered (especially China and South Korea) because of invasions and more severe treatment by the Japanese. I'm happy to know that Abe admits that Japan did wrong and they will not do that again. I hope there is no twist to this and I hope the relations between other Asian countries and Japan will be peaceful.

There is a special place in Dante's Infero for liars and hypocrites like Abe. By violating the Constitution he is heading Japan toward wars.

Stuart Hayward, did you not think of THE NEED TO BLOW UP THE ENEMY MISSILE SOURCE AFTER IT HAS STARTED FIRING!? Some people just don't think things through （笑） And the chance Japan is gonna invade another country is 0%. The people want nothing to do with it and so the government can't invade even if it wanted to. Anyone who says otherwise is just really paranoid + blind And if Japan can help its allies during times of war, it strengthens relations between countries and furthermore, if Japan doesn't start a war, Japan 1 - China 0. Trust in Japan Lvl up. Trust in China...dead（笑）(Though there is probably little to no trust as is)

Japanese foreign policy is planned according to USA plans, so I don't understand people complaining about it. You should complain towards American government if you dislike it.

“I pledged in front of the spirits of the war dead that Japan wants to be a country that thinks about world peace with its friends in Asia and around the world.”

Do those friends include South Korea, North Korea and China?

Therougou said: (so we should just stay put and continue trying to knock down missiles without stopping the source?) Just what missiles are you talking about? Im unaware of any missiles being fired directly into Japan. Maybe you are a supporter of "preemptive" strikes on countries who haven't attacked us. In that case, the definition of preemptive would be, THE STARTER OF A WAR.

@Stuart hayward

Please explain how anti-ship missiles are only for defensive purposes?

I might feel obliged to if I actually claimed that. Not my fault you can't read properly.

I'll explain nonetheless, although I'm probably conversing with a brick wall.

Any weapon can be used for both offensively and defensively. Even a slingshot.

But it would make a lot more sense if you wanted to attack another country to use substantial firepower.

Does China have an aircraft carrier? Does it have subs with ballistic missiles?

Why yes it does. What does Japan have to counter this? Some jets, some AWACS, some diesel subs, helos, etc.

Nothing even close to an invasion force. Unless you want to count retaking the Senkakus. Are you going to claim that the MSDF helo carriers are "offensive"?

The only TRULY defensive missiles would be the patriot missile, it's only function is to stop other missiles that have been fired.

Thanks for confirming your non-knowledge of modern warfare.

Kenjiooi July 12, 2014. 2:45p.m As Mr.Abe says, we must never repeat the horrors of war. There is no getting away from how war can be horrible. What is expected of him is to put his money where his mouth is, as was shown by public opinio polls prior to the government-approved reinterpratation of the constitution, to live up to his words instead of making Japan a proactive international pease contributor b y using military force fighting alongside with the US forces. I could conjure up the image of the Japanese politician bluffing it out vis-a-vis China,riding on the coattails of Washington. What American president would be willing to order US service men and women to put their lives on the line to protect the small, uninhabited islands from incurfsion by China? The US government semms to believe in giving an equidistant treatment to both China and Japan as far as East Asia is concerned, as evidenced by the remark made by President Obama during his latest visit to Japan. To the best of my understanding about his take on the current China- Japan relations, going with what Obama said directly in English, I got the impression that behind his pledge gthat article 5 of the Security Treaty was appicable to Senkaku I sensed a nuansed warning against Mr.Abe that he should refrain from doing or saying anything that would worsen the situation. I hope Abe should get off his high horse, just saying to China,"The door for dialogue is always open." He should take the plunge to put the bilateral relations at heir worst back on track if he has the best interests of Japan and regional pease at heart. I would suggest Abe should make an official visit to Nanjing War Museum to pray for the repose of the victims, pledging Japan will never go to war, following in the footsteps of the former German Chancellar Cohl to put a human face on the apologies from Japan for wartime atrocities. His name would go down in the history of modern Japan and he would be awarded Nobel Pease Prize.

As many as 200,000 Japanese soldiers died during the brutal New Guinea campaign

As all too often it seems non-Japanese dead are an after thought or not thought of at all when it comes to WWII ..........sigh

When most Japanese talk about haw bad WWII was all you typically hear is Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Tokyo fire bombing, food shortages....................blah blah

When you point out there were casualties outside Japan you sometime get an OH YEAH & some other people died too....

I am not against Japan updating how its military can operate, BUT it should have damned well dealt with its history better, sadly it DIDNT! China has now given Japan all it needs to go ahead full speed.

Like I said I agree it should be updated BUT I simply do NOT trust abe & the ldp! China's govt has also be acting like a bunch of no class a$$es of late terrorizing SE Asia, the commies must REALLY be terrified of their own people to be doing this when they could EASILY simply be looking to prosper through normal business as opposed to all the "Ancient Times BS!"" they keep trotting out!

This guy will tell anyone what they want to hear. After all, he told the Olympic Committee that the problems in Fukushima had been resolved. Now at the same time he talks about the horrors of war, he tries to eliminate Article 9 and make Japan a preemptive military and he OKs policy changes that allow Japanese corporations to become major weapons producers and exporters. He's as hypocritical and scheming as they come.

Japan arming is fine. A nation needs to be strong so it's not pushed around. China knows this first-hand as they were cut up by foreign nations and to a degree so had japan. Both sides concerns are legitimate. Once they build up enough to feel secure I hope they can then seriously consider peace

An increase in defense spending to $49 billion as a reaction to a neighbor who spends $188 billion is "preparing for war"?

What do you call it? Moreover, how much do you think they would spend if they could afford it, and the Americans weren't around?

Please explain how anti-ship missiles are only for defensive purposes? The only TRULY defensive missiles would be the patriot missile, it's only function is to stop other missiles that have been fired

So we should just stay put and continue trying to knock down missiles without stopping the source? Please think that through.

ReformedBasher: Please explain how anti-ship missiles are only for defensive purposes? The only TRULY defensive missiles would be the patriot missile, it's only function is to stop other missiles that have been fired. The contents of Abe's speech was great, if only his actions supported his words, I wouldnt speak negatively of him. No matter what you believe, having another arms race is not a solution. Improving truly defensive capabilities, I don't have a problem with but selling Tecnolology to improve offensive weapons, only helps the military industrial complex, NOT Japanese citizens.

'I agree with Abe: the horrors of war must never be repeated! THEY MUST BE DWARFED BY COMPLETELY NEW, NEVER-SEEN HORRORS! Especially when it comes to dealing with disgusting, evil forces like China.'

Disgusting and evil? Wow! I bet those warmongers in the CCP would be delighted if they could stir up that amount of hatred. I'm just wondering what could dwarf nuclear, incendiary, chemical and biological weapons.

What part of my comment confuses you????

Um, all if it? You seem to have a defective keyboard too. Unless you think adding question marks makes your "points" valid?

Maybe my English is unclear????

Maybe it is.

Australia is already interested. Abe didn't need to sell or persuade the Australia government, and/or members of the defence forces.

I guess a lot of us must be kidding ourselves to suggest that Japan possessing or selling offensive weaponry, which submarines are classified as since they are designed for stealth and able to launch missiles while submerged and without notice or detection against unsuspecting targets, is being pursued in the name of global peace!!!!

Would you and the other "experts", including the pair that claim navy service yet are clueless about subs, mind refraining from writing rubbish that's obviously flawed from the beginning.

Sigh.

1) Japan's had subs for decades. Where was your horror before?

2) Lordy be, subs hide and suddenly attack! Yes, this shows you are capable of some reading comprehension, yet apparently using this knowledge to put together constructive thought is something that eludes you.

Subs hide because that's the whole point of them. They are not looking at the fishies unless they are civilian. As for missiles, they carry Harpoons. Not Tomahawks or an equivalent. Worst they can do is sink ships that shouldn't be there. They can't fly through the air and shoot laser beams son.

China has at lest one ballistic missile sub from memory. Now concentrate real hard and tell me if you can understand the difference.

(Quick search proves my information very much outdated - http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_094_submarine. 5 ballistic subs. Now THAT is a real cause for concern!)

Claiming diesel subs armed with anti-ship missiles are offensive weaponry shouts to me loud and clear that you are speaking complete fluff.

How about another tact? No doubt I'll be momentarily amused at your antics.

It is really hard to judge the scope of what is here. In one part they say that he said,"We must not repeat the horrors of the war". Well, the "horrors of the war" and "horrors of war" is not really the same thing. This may be a translation issue. Also it is not clear when he address the war dead who he is really addressing. Japanese is a very evasive language compared to English. Since "all" was not included, it leaves room for doubt. So I'm more in the camp with New Zealand where they seem to doubt Mr. Ave.

He talks pretty for the international market, but as soon as his plane touches down in japan, he'll rush back to Yasukuni to remind the local voters he didn't really mean all that peace talk and stuff.

Simon FostonJul. 12, 2014 - 09:57AM JST "Really? Please show evidence where like China, Abe has told the JSDF to "prepare for war". Bet you can't" I never claimed that he "said" anything. Increases in defense spending speak louder than words.

What you stated is: "preparing for war is generally what armed forces do. It's clearly what Shinzo Abe wants to do." An increase in defense spending to $49 billion as a reaction to a neighbor who spends $188 billion is "preparing for war"?

The haters can't stand it when Abe says and does good things, hence the need to nitpick and denigrate every little thing he does.

These nitpickers you speak of have this strange idea they live in a democracy. They elect their representatives to represent the wishes of the people and do take issue when these so called representatives are only interested in fulfilling their own agendas. The majority of Japanese DON'T agree that what Abe says and does are good things, evident in polling on the States Secrets legislation, reinterpreting Article 9, lifting Japans exports of military arms and other issues Abe has pursed at his OWN initiative and not those of the people he is suppose to represent as THEIR Prime Minister and since we don't live in China or North Korea have the right to criticize, your words, nitpick and denigrate every little thing he does and deservingly so.

Good for Abe.

The haters can't stand it when Abe says and does good things, hence the need to nitpick and denigrate every little thing he does.

@ReformedBasher Jul. 12, 2014 - 09:12AM JST

Can't decide if you are serious but I'll kid myself you are.

1) Australia is buying submarine drive-trains, not Japan, or even complete submarines.

What part of my comment confuses you???? Maybe my English is unclear????

The main purpose for his trip to Australia is to persuade the Australian Navy to purchase Japanese manufactured submarines and procure other arms deals.

@ReformedBasher

2) What threats or provocative military action has either Australia or Japan taken against their neighbours?

I guess a lot of us must be kidding ourselves to suggest that Japan possessing or selling offensive weaponry, which submarines are classified as since they are designed for stealth and able to launch missiles while submerged and without notice or detection against unsuspecting targets, is being pursued in the name of global peace!!!!

This is almost ridiculous and shows just how low the expectation is on Abe given his extremal hawkish policy.

I pledged in front of the spirits of the war dead that Japan wants to be a country that thinks about world peace with its friends in Asia and around the world.”

The is beautiful and powerful commitment. . . It would be nice if other nations - especially those who are at engaged in war CURRENTLY- take heed and try to follow the spirit of this promise.

Really? Please show evidence where like China, Abe has told the JSDF to "prepare for war". Bet you can't,

I never claimed that he "said" anything. Increases in defense spending speak louder than words.

“We must not repeat the horrors of the war,” he said

Sorry but I just cannot believe this...

In the capital Port Moresby on Thursday evening, Abe pledged 20 billion yen in assistance to PNG over the next three years.

I still think the people of the Tohoku region should come first. Abe seems very good at spending his taxpayers ùoney - for all the wrong reasons.

Mr.Perfect: Good point but I guess other posters don't realize these sales of submarines, are already going against what was said. Japan was only supposed to be allowed to sell defensive weapons, yet we are starting to sell attack weapons within the first two weeks of changes to article nine. A clear example of words that don't match the actions! And for all the Chinese haters and fear mongers, YES, China is also guilty of saying one thing, while doing another.

Simon FostonJul. 12, 2014 - 08:19AM JST Quoted by OssanAmerica: "China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been told to prepare for war in a training directive issued by the General Staff Headquarters, which oversees the entire PLA." Um... preparing for war is generally what armed forces do. It's clearly what Shinzo Abe wants to do.

Really? Please show evidence where like China, Abe has told the JSDF to "prepare for war". Bet you can't,

@Mr. Perfect Nonsense

Can't decide if you are serious but I'll kid myself you are.

1) Australia is buying submarine drive-trains, not Japan, or even complete submarines.

(Missiles and torpedoes are likely to come from the US)

Are New Zealand or PNG upset over this? Is Australia not allowed to seek improvement technology to replace the current submarines they have which are plagued with a variety of problems? If they don't buy from Japan, they'll most certainly look somewhere else. But not at China whose subs are below par.

2) What threats or provocative military action has either Australia or Japan taken against their neighbours?

Should neither of them benefit from mutual defence or technology transfers?

China has openly stated they want war and are preparing for it, Japan is stating it does not want war and is manoeuvring to counter china's threat.

During the last war japan occupied Taiwan, phillipines, Malaysia and many other places around asia but we don't hear much noise coming out of those places do we, its all out of korea and china, the two immature ones who play the drama and the sympathy card at every chance.

Abe is trying to counter the threat from china, please try to use at least one brain cell to understand that.

He's paying his respects to war dead and making a statement on the importance of peace. You have an issue with that?

Maybe people are taking issue with the fact that his words and actions seem to be a contradiction. The main purpose for his trip to Australia is to persuade the Australian Navy to purchase Japanese manufactured submarines and procure other arms deals but then says “We must not repeat the horrors of the war,” after laying flowers at a memorial, and this just how many days after he and his cabinet alter their interpretation of article 9? So yeah, some have an issue with that!!!!

These nations (the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, India, etc.) can do much more for Japan than the right-wingers within Japan country can.

“I pledged in front of the spirits of the war dead that Japan wants to be a country that thinks about world peace with its friends in Asia and around the world.”

Why am I not surprised that some of the usual suspects above aren't satisfied even when they get exactly what they want. This quote by Mr Abe and his visit to WW2 memorials should silence the critics. Of course it won't, because the critics aren't thinking with their brains when they accuse Japan of trying to foment trouble in the region. Rather they are thinking with their wounded pride and "lost face" of generations gone by. I fully expect to see Mr Abe called a "war monger" before this thread is done. Meanwhile PRC is making atom bomb jokes and paid trolls are justifying it. Sad and pathetic how some folks just refuse to see the facts in front of them.

Its also worth noting that these comments by Mr Abe, and similar ones made in Australia, are almost word for word the same comments he made after his visit to Yasukuni shrine - proving once again that the people who work themselves into a froth over a visit to a shrine have no idea what they are talking about.

Quoted by OssanAmerica:

"China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been told to prepare for war in a training directive issued by the General Staff Headquarters, which oversees the entire PLA."

Um... preparing for war is generally what armed forces do. It's clearly what Shinzo Abe wants to do.

some14someJul. 12, 2014 - 07:30AM JST Abe is now getting desperate and wants to mend ties with close neighbors, especially wants to meet with Chinese >President Xi during APEC meeting in Nov.2014

How is that an act of "desperation"?

Japan and China, two friendly enemies.

He needs to be educated in history!!!!!!

And you need to calm down.

He's paying his respects to war dead and making a statement on the importance of peace. You have an issue with that?

Even if your exclamation key is stuck, you can delete the excess ones. We can wait.

Abe is now getting desperate and wants to mend ties with close neighbors, especially wants to meet with Chinese President Xi during APEC meeting in Nov.2014.

He needs to be educated in history!!!!!!

If this is really what he wants, why does he build up his military, increase arms production, change the constitution and spread gloom and despondency about China

It's a fair question. The answer to my mind lay in the fact that Chinese Military spending continues to increase at an alarming rate - $114 Billion last Year (official number - external estimates have it much, much higher than this perhaps 180 Billion) and the second largest Military budget by a country mile. 18% of the total Chinese Government budget overall.

This, coupled with factors such as aggressive Chinese actions both within Japanese territory and that of neighbouring countries in Asia shows that their aggressive rhetoric isn't just empty threats. Ask the Philippines, Vietnam, India and Tibet. The countries of the region are asking Japan to take more of a leadership role in Asia as a result of this, as are countries from outside the region.

This insistence on a provocative line over Japanese Military past designed to drum up anger and discontent within the Chinese population makes things unstable and certainly can"t be confused for the musings of a peaceful and peace loving nation. The Chinese Communist Party are still a totalitarian regime who are not elected democratically by the people of China, and have a very, very chequered history - they are oppressive, paranoid, corrupt and have one of the worst human rights histories of any ruling party in the world, if not the worst. In short, Japan would be silly and naive to put any trust in them whatsoever.

To my mind, it's to this backdrop that Japan HAS to re-think it's position over these issues - it's been forced upon them, and honestly, would you leave the front door open to your family home with a criminal bully living next door?

Course you wouldn't.

This from the guy who revises a constitution that represents peace, who denies massacres occurred, says all comfort women were well-paid prostitutes (after having to admit imperial troops used the camps), wants to revise apologies, and travels around Asia trying to isolate certain neighbours.

To be at peace with Communist China means to deter them from coming into your backyard. From that perspective there is nothing incoherent about Abe's course. One might disagree with his right-leaning policies - I do - turning the other cheek to the CCP or even waiting for them to slap you would just be foolishly stupid

BertieWoosterJul. 12, 2014 - 06:35AM JST Abe says horrors of war must never be repeated You know, I find it hard to believe that he really means this. If this is really what he wants, why does he build up his military, increase arms production, change the constitution and >spread gloom and despondency about China?

Read my post. China has been and continues to be on a massive military buildup, bullies smaller Asian neighbors, and openly talks about "war". Abe is hardly the one "spreading it".

If he wants peaceful coexistence, he should be out there getting it

That will happen when the CCP dictatorship decides it wants to be a peaceful cooperative member of the international community.

Abe says horrors of war must never be repeated

You know, I find it hard to believe that he really means this.

If this is really what he wants, why does he build up his military, increase arms production, change the constitution and spread gloom and despondency about China?

If he wants peaceful coexistence, he should be out there getting it.

And has China complained about this as well? Interesting contrast to China's position on war.

"As tensions between China and Japan escalate, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been told to prepare for war in a training directive issued by the General Staff Headquarters, which oversees the entire PLA." http://www.voanews.com/content/chinas-peoples-liberation-army-pla-prepare-for-war/1585348.html

So which country is mature and advocates pewace?