Clock ticking as Abe pushes to loosen constraints on military

This is certainly coming down to the wire, but there is still another chance for the Abe government to loosen the restraints during the next Diet session this fall.

Hopefully, there will be a breakthrough in negotiations with Komeito before then, and a cabinet decision will be adopted by the June 22nd deadline.

Abe is just another unimaginative, mediocre politician, with no vision for the future. What is his vision? Just more tension and conflict with China? It's a black hole. Why would you even want to go there. Leave it to the big powers like India and the US to engage in power struggles with China. It is in Japan's best interests to become neutral. Japan should not take sides in international conflicts. This is just a recipe for trouble.

If things ever get nasty with China, America is thousands of miles away and can walk away without a second thought, or even ally itself with China. Japan needs to become its own master, not just a little yapping poodle for the US.

Abe appears desperate to rush this through, even at the expense of the coalition agreement. He can't wait to play at soldiers and send Japanese off to die overseas.

At the same time Abe shows no inclination to change the unconstitutional electoral boundaries. No progress there at all, just months and months of foot dragging. Abe cannot call a snap election without first correcting the constituency boundaries. If he calls it anyway the results should be annulled.

SCAP65JUN. 11, 2014 - 08:49AM JST

If things ever get nasty with China, America is thousands of miles away and can walk away without a second thought, or even ally itself with China.

This shows how little you understand geopolitics. The USA is not "thousands of miles away," the USA is everywhere. The USA is a global power. In fact, it is the preeminent global power. It cannot walk away from a China/Japan conflict today any more than it can pick up Alaska and put it down off the coast of Washington state. Furthermore, there is zero chance that the USA will sever its commitment to Japan, the most critical strategic partner the USA has in the world.

SCAP65Jun. 11, 2014 - 08:49AM JST Abe is just another unimaginative, mediocre politician, with no vision for the future. What is his vision? Just more tension and conflict with China? It's a black hole.

If you was as you claim you wouldn't be making those claims. He is worrisome to Communist China since he doesn't seem to play the same old game of the pass. Instead of smiling and being overtly diplomatic he doesn't bend over he stands up.

Communist China wants a quiet Japan so it can continue it's silent invasion of the entire China sea. If Japan stands in their way they know they can't win and if it comes to a fight Communist China also knows it can't win against Japan.

SCAP65Jun. 11, 2014 - 08:49AM JST Why would you even want to go there. Leave it to the big powers like India and the US to engage in power struggles with China. It is in Japan's best interests to become neutral. Japan should not take sides in international conflicts. This is just a recipe for trouble.

That's what you guys want, it's a simple divide and conquer tactic. But, Japan isn't biting and that's why you are complaining

BTW Japan's Navy is far better than India's and far better than Communist China's, so that is why you guys hate the fact that Japan isn't staying quiet.

SCAP65Jun. 11, 2014 - 08:49AM JST If things ever get nasty with China, America is thousands of miles away and can walk away without a second thought, or even ally itself with China. Japan needs to become its own master, not just a little yapping poodle for the US.

You really need better training, the US military is everywhere and can be anywhere at anytime.

Ask your leaders to give you better intell, but we all know that you know the truth, but the truth isn't what you want the world to know.

Propaganda is what 10 year old use to promote themselves as tough guys.

Under the current Constitution Japan has the ability to fully defend itself in the event of an attack. So the reasons for revision are shadowy at best. Does it mean Japan wants to reserve the right for pre-emptive strikes? That worked really well the last time it was tried... Or is it that Japan feels left out if it can't be involved in Anglo-American incursions into soveriegn countries in the Middle East? Or is it because Japan simply wants the right to wage war like everyone else? Or is it because America is encouraging Japan to revise its Constitution so that it doesn't have to live up to the full extent of its treaty obligations? Or is it because the right winged government wants to expunge this humiliating legacy of the defeat of their like-minded WWII counterparts.

Whatever the reason, there is nothing in the current Constitution that says Japan can't defend itself... However, detractors of the current Constitution would have people believe that Japan's hands are tied behind its back in the event of an attack. This is simply not true. Many people who argue for Constitutional reform pose the question 'Doesn't a country have the right to defend itself?' This is a clear attempt to manipulate perceptions of the fact that under the current Constitution Japan does have the right to defend itself.

So hopefully this debate will carry on until the wire melts and its ashes are scattered on the wind.

SCAP65Jun. 11, 2014 - 08:49AM JST If things ever get nasty with China, America is thousands of miles away and can walk away without a second thought, >or even ally itself with China. Japan needs to become its own master, not just a little yapping poodle for the US.

Ally ourselves with the world's most powerful communist dictatorship? The one that's waging a war against in every which way but military confrontation?

Yes, an American alliance with China is entirely possible. America was allied with China against Japan before. It can happen again. Things change quickly. Japan is way out of its depth here. It has been a pacifist country for 70 years now. Also, the Japanese rightwingnuts seem to forget that it would only take three nuclear weapons fired by China to wipe Japan off the map. Military competition with China is a waste of time, Japan loses no matter how many times you play out the scenario.

The situation in the 1930s was unique. This is not the 1930s anymore, and Japan is simply in no position to become an independent military power. All it can do is become America's little yes-boy sidekick. All these Japanese so-called "patriots" that want Japan to be the USA's little barking poodle joke of a guard dog are not really patriots at all. All they are is stooges for American control of Japan. If they really were "patriots" and this includes that sad-sack prime minister Abe, they would do what is good for Japan, not what is good for America. America simply uses Japan.

Japan needs to develop an independent foreign policy and in order to do this, it needs good relations with its neighbors. You don't get good relations with your neighbors by threatening them, you sit down like equals and talk to each other.

SCAP65Jun. 11, 2014 - 11:49AM JST Yes, an American alliance with China is entirely possible. America was allied with China against Japan before.

Communist China wasn't, the KMT was. BTW, the US is still allied to Taiwan and is ready to defend it against any invasion by the Communist. That is the only reason there is still a free Taiwan.

SCAP65Jun. 11, 2014 - 11:49AM JST Things change quickly. Japan is way out of its depth here. It has been a pacifist country for 70 years now. Also, the Japanese rightwingnuts seem to forget that it would only take three nuclear weapons fired by China to wipe Japan off the map.

BTW, three nukes would take out three cities and not wipe Japan off the map. Wishful thinking isn't reality.

Communist seem to forget that there would be a retaliation by the US that would turn Communist China into a parking lot. Then things would continue to spiral downward and all that would be left would be the roaches.

So, to even fathom the nuclear option is silly at best.

SCAP65Jun. 11, 2014 - 11:49AM JST Military competition with China is a waste of time, Japan loses no matter how many times you play out the scenario.

If that was a fact Communist China wouldn't be as scared as they are. Fear shines through even in your own post.

SCAP65Jun. 11, 2014 - 11:49AM JST Japan needs to develop an independent foreign policy and in order to do this, it needs good relations with its neighbors. You don't get good relations with your neighbors by threatening them, you sit down like equals and talk to each other.

Spoken like a member of the Water Internet Army or could it be that you are a member of the CPD?

If you are I have a few questions for you. How much time do you guys have to spend hearing this propaganda a day? I heard you guys have to sit down to this goop for around 8 hours a day, is that true?

Inquiring minds want to know.....

SCAP65Jun. 11, 2014 - 11:49AM JSTYes, an American alliance with China is entirely possible. America was allied with China against Japan before. It can happen again. Things change quickly. Japan is way out of its depth here. It has been a pacifist country for 70 years now. Also, the Japanese rightwingnuts seem to forget that it would only take three nuclear weapons fired by China to wipe Japan off the map. Military competition with China is a waste of time, Japan loses no matter how many times you play out the scenario.

Clearly you have little idea of what is going on. China's peaceful rise is showing up to be a complete load of rubbish, they have begun attempting to change the status quo in the region. Have a look at what is going on in the South China Sea. What they are doing there will eventually sweep across into the East China Sea which directly affects Japan. That is why Japan are acting. That is why relationships and partnerships are forming within the region that alienates China. I would have thought Japan's foreign policy is quite clear.

China knows it can tread on the toes of countries like the Philippines and Vietnam without little consequence to it at this time, but a more assertive Japan working closely with these nations in the future are what causes China concern. Japan are beginning to boost and open up its military industrial complex which will encompass and aid these countries concerned. It will continue to watch closely China's strengthening military might and build up accordingly to counter that. Eventually Japan will need to become a nuclear armed state (we all know they are already unofficially).

Japan's foreign policy is to not allow China to dictate and reshape the region geopolitically by the use of force.

Where's the love?

I agree with ABE. It's about time for a change after Commie China instigated their lunatic adventure in the region. Go for it JAPAN .......