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With eye on China, Japan breaks with precedents for strong Ukraine response

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Japan should remain NUTURAL at all times,

Japan should continue to be a global citizen and have opinions it can voice and support.

joining NATO on Ukraine will only fuels the anger of most of it's neighbors,

Name a couple of neighbors "angry" with Japans current response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Only four nations in the world supported Russia in the UN general assembly over it's invasion. I would be surprised if they were all neighbors of Japan. That would make it necessary for Japan to beef up its defenses in case any of its neighbors that support invasions want a piece of Japan.

13 ( +18 / -5 )

@rob Zelensky is threatening Russia 

Is this being pushed inside Russia by Putin's media and his keyboard army masters for their minions to spread, while expecting Putin's sheeple and others in the extreme right to blindly accept, like they seem to have accepted Putin's lies that his invading armies are just in Ukraine to get rid of Nazis ?

I have found in brief searches that Zelensky thinks Putin is bluffing about using one of his many nukes, which though it's a terrible bluff to make, it's one that could be expected from someone as unstable as Putin has shown he is. If your only response to why I cannot find the claim that Zelensky has threatened to use nukes is western media are biased, as are the algorithms used by 'big tech'

Save that limp defense for infowars or whatever extreme right media you all use where other extreme rightists might still accept Putin's puppet's lies. Most reasonable people turned off the extreme right shortly after Putin's stormtroopers crossed the border to invade Ukraine. A small minority might be so thick that they think Putin is' smart' and 'savvy, but they're fringe grifters and extremists who want to see democracies undermined further.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Japan wants to be on the right side of history.

10 ( +23 / -13 )

Good for Japan.

Japan rightly sees her neighbor, fascist Russia, as a regional and world threat, who do not follow rule of law. If Russia can attack and invade a sovereign nation with no consequences, who will be next?

Keep up the squeeze on Russia, starve them of export money and financial hubs, and keep showing solidarity for free Ukraine.

8 ( +23 / -15 )

"Japan wants to be on the right side of history." Japan has been on the right side of history in terms of defense. It is also in the right side in fighting Putin through non-violence. This is not peacenik talk. If Ukraines close neighbors are staying out of the conflict this far what cab can Japan do? Attack Siberia? Please. Sanctions will have much power is time goes on. China? China is not getting involved with Putin. Likely China will want to stay far away from him.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Tokyo-mToday  06:41 pm JST

Tough stance? The Japanese government, through its share of Japan Tobacco, are paying taxes directly to the Putin regime

Japan Tobacco. Is this the only hot spot to post?

5 ( +12 / -7 )

Japan is just as bad as China is when it comes to territorial disputes.

Completely different leagues. China claiming so much more from basically all those around it.

Japans claims have substance. Chinese claims are delusion for the most part. Perhaps one or two have some basis of reality for a claim, but most are fanciful delusions based on territorial expansion and empire building.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Watching how the reality could be, this is the very time all opposition parties clarify their claims to be recorded. Enough for talking the talk.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Japan will have to defend it's own borders one day. So it better learn how to do it "now"!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

though fears about energy needs

But Japan, Inc. have been fully aware of the country's energy needs and have done little about it. It seems Japan's rulers have learnt very little over the decades and must be afraid to change, afraid to make progress away from systems where the country at all levels remains stuck doing things the same way. Where are the new scientists, engineers and technicians developing new and/or refining existing technologies to reduce reliance on burning huge amounts of fossil fuels that further pollute the air we all breathe and/or relying on highly risky nuclear power. Where are the entrepreneurs with new ways of doing business? Where are the financiers willing to help start-ups? Or have Japan,Inc. invested so much money in China that they're just waiting for Chinese businesses to dig them out of the holes they and their families before them have dug for themselves.

3 ( +12 / -9 )

Alan HarrisonToday  05:41 pm JST

I feel uneasy if Japan went down the road of first strike capacity. Japan seems to think that anything foreign is a threat. (How many times is it reported on JT that foreign ships are seen near "disputed" islands, operative word NEAR).

For goodness sake, keep Japan's right wing loonies off a trigger.

You're barking up the wrong tree. First paragraph of Article 9 prohibits Japan from invading another country like your Z hero. Talk about loonies.

3 ( +16 / -13 )

@KimnjapanToday 

"...though fears about energy needs have so far stopped Tokyo from pulling out of joint energy projects with Russia."

Also, Japan Tobacco's fear of losing profits is keeping it there, and the people's fear of losing out on all-you-can-eat crab had Japan reverse at least some of its sanctions in terms of importing marine products. So, it's not them being tough so much as trying to make people think they're being tough, then still doing business with Russia all the same. The bombs that are killing kids? as much as Japan says they are against it their refusal to cut all ties means they are helping to pay for said bombs, and supporting their use.

Tired of hearing about Tobacco and crab. Talk about Korean major chaebols in Russia

3 ( +11 / -8 )

Japan is definitely without a shadow of doubt - hosting nuclear weapons , and has done since the end of ww2 .hosting USA forces that wield weapons of mass destruction

Not since the 1990s. The US Navy hasn't deployed with nuclear weapons in over two decades. The US pulled a lot of its nuclear weapons back to a smaller number of US storage locations and other than the SSBNs stopped deploying nuclear weapons on ships and attack subs. The nuclear Tomahawks are long since retired too. Nuclear weapons are costly to secure and bringing them back to fewer storage locations in the US saved a lot of money. The only land bases outside the US with nuclear weapons are in NATO countries.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Japan is a wet tissue and hides behind America.

You would not say that if you ever exercised with the JMSDF. Japan has a very high quality and well trained professional military. The JMSDF might be the best ASW navy in the world and we always considered a JMSDF submarine to be the next best thing to a USN or RN nuclear sub. I've sailed in a JMSDF task force and they are well trained professionals. They are as good as the RN, RAN or any other western navy and their equipment is for the most part better. If I had to go to war on a British or Japanese warship I would chose the Japanese warship every time. They are better built, have more attention to survivability and damage control and overall have higher tech, comparable to the USN..

3 ( +3 / -0 )

TARA TAN KITAOKAToday 09:58 pm JST

Prime-minister Kishida, please understand that peace is most important.

Strongly agree.

No need to be afraid of China.

Strongly disagree.

If U become paranoid like the west, something is very wrong in Japan.

If you become paranoid like China, then something is very wrong in Japan.

If you think you can arbitrarily claim ownership of international waters a thousand kilometers from your territory like China has then you need your head read.

With neighbors like China and Russia, Japan needs to increase defense force spending to become the second highest defense budget in the world, (currently China holds that position), just to keep those two rogue empire builders at bay and keep peace in the region. Russia can not be trusted. China seeks territorial expansion at everyone's expense. If you cant protect yourself you may end up living in rubble like the poor innocent peace loving people of Ukraine at the hands of those seeking to expand their empires. Being peaceful is not enough to keep wolves from your door. Being powerful enough to shoot the wolves at your door is what keeps the peace. Being in active defense alliances keeps the peace. Sad but true. The current invasion shows the truth in that statement.

Japan needs strength and treaty alliances. Ditch article 9. Sign mutual defense treaties with Australia and others in the region and even in Europe. Partnerships equals safety.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Different from Ukraine-Russian relations/history, Taiwan was never a part of China. Chinese are immigrants there and only they spoke Chinese. After the Chinese Nationalist invasion, Taiwanese languages were forbidden and are just recovering now.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Russia just wants to be left alone. I’m an American, but I’m not a blind nationalist. The US pressured Ukraine to join NATO so that we could pressure Russia

Who are you kidding? The US and other NATO members held off Ukraine's membership wanting to see them clean up the corruption, links to organized crime and pro-Russian influences before admitting them. The US was certainly sympathetic to them wanting to be protected from Russian aggression but with the conflict in Donbass and Crimea along with the other things mentioned it was thought Ukraine might too much of a hot yam to let into NATO.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

clear out the city of Azov Battalion fighters or

What is it with the extreme right and their imaginary enemies, if it's not Nazis, it's the deep state, sometimes the media, other times algorithms, maybe chips in vaccines. No wonder it's so easy for demagogues to manipulate them, the right are afraid of imagined shadows, and dictators like Putin just ramp his follower's fears up even more. You would think the keyboard warriors would return to the Russian Federation and go chase the shadows they and their fellow herd members say they see. Is Putin putting Kool aid in their vodka, or can Russians even buy Kool aid anymore.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

But with Abe gone

not gone, still boss, just lying low.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Japan needs to be more stringent in cutting its economic ties to Russia. Others above have highlighted the worst offenders.

Japans over reliance on imported fossil fuels has left it very much out on a limb in this crisis and highlighted its massive vulnerability.

With a global environmental crisis eminently highlighted over the last couple of decades this situation simply should not have occurred, policies should have changed long ago; even if you don’t take global warming in to account the energy security inherent in such a policy shift to sustainable local energy production is self evident.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Zelenskyy. A former actor and comedian, who never held a government position or office.

That's what I call democracy. He must have got the most votes. I generally find that people who demise governments and elected leaders are people who don't bother voting themselves.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

If this continues you will find more and more NATO Member Veterans happy to go fight those Ruskies, once and for all.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Russia just wants to be left alone.

Russia wants to be a world power and have influence of all of Europe.

The US pressured Ukraine to join NATO so that we could pressure Russia.

That is a bald faced lie. NATO membership for ex Soviet states is out of pity, because they beg for admittance to avoid Russian coercion and threats. And they only get admitted when they qualify by reaching NATO benchmarks.

--New members must uphold democracy, including tolerating diversity.

--New members must be making progress toward a market economy.

--Their military forces must be under firm civilian control.

--They must be good neighbors and respect sovereignty outside their borders.

--They must be working toward compatibility with NATO forces.

while these criteria are essential, they do not constitute a checklist leading automatically to NATO membership.

New members must be invited by a consensus of current members.

The key determinant for any invitation to new members is whether their admission to NATO will strengthen the alliance and further the basic objective of NATO enlargement, which is to increase security and stability across Europe.

https://1997-2001.state.gov/regions/eur/fs_members.html

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Just an excuse to armed with US wmd.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@TARA TAN KITAOKA "Prime-minister Kishida, please understand that peace is most important. No need to be afraid of China. If U become paranoid like the west, something is very wrong in Japan". Your comments amaze me! Speaking of paranoid I wonder if your company is still hiring?

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Tough stance? The Japanese government, through its share of Japan Tobacco, are paying taxes directly to the Putin regime.

It must be because Japanese tobacco is unique.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

That’s all naive bs. Japan needs civil defense educational courses in schools , learning the basics of shooting, ABC suits, gas masks, med kits etc, and that also for adults, then also a secured handgun for final defense purposes in every household only accessible in the case of cases if access or unlocking is granted by local authorities and in general a much more autark defense systems availability and own production sites for them. There is no help if you can’t or are willing to help yourself, especially no help from outside. That’s crystal clear now when you look at how the so-called powerful NATO members handle Ukraine support like the biggest cowards that globe has ever seen. Neither the strongest nor the nearest to front countries show anything of their capabilities that they surely might have on paper. They do exactly nothing or only very low above nothing and sacrifice the Ukraine for their own convenience. That will happen at other places too, so you shouldn’t rely on them stepping in. In short words, the behavior of the aggressors is clear and easy to calculate, but the same for the cowardly defenders.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

but this time around it has marched in lockstep with Western allies on unprecedented sanctions and tough rhetoric, even sending non-lethal military aid.

But it is don't ask don't tell with Japan Tobacco, with major Jgov/J.Inc investment.

And Uniqulo only changed course after foreign pressure.

The good old gaiatsu working in a crisis as usual

-2 ( +13 / -15 )

I've been talking about Nuclear energy for decades. France already taking the lead.

Russia and China already made their move.

Already proven aggressive and willing to attack and invade.

North Korea firing missiles every week now.

PS

Foreigners talk more about Hiroshima and Nagasaki then Japanese do! Maybe look in the mirror first.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

TeslaInvestorToday  04:16 am JST

TokyoLiving

i have to agree that Japan is doing what the US demands. I’m okay with Japan and Korea being subservient to us. China and Russia will eventually bow their heads as well.

Wao. The greatest American citizen belonging to asian minority group in the US OK-ed with Asian countries being subservient to them. You are the king. Lol.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Japan should remain NUTURAL at all times, joining NATO on Ukraine will only fuels the anger of most of it's neighbors, Yes Japan can provide all the assistance it wants but should NOT be direct rather be indirect and hope for the best outcome. The Ukraine war is a NATO and the EU direct security threat and they are handling it well so far.

-3 ( +8 / -11 )

Japan is definitely without a shadow of doubt - hosting nuclear weapons , and has done since the end of ww2 .hosting USA forces that wield weapons of mass destruction.

The only difference is Japan wants it's own finger on the button now .

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

The Kishida cabinet is weak and fragile, acting like a macho guy is better than being tacit. Sending helmet and protective wrest is better than doing nothing. Japan need to face Russia one day over the Northern territory dispute.

And China is laughing atvJapan's "Acting Skill", seems an uneasy one for Kishida!

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Prime-minister Kishida, please understand that peace is most important. No need to be afraid of China. If U become paranoid like the west, something is very wrong in Japan.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

You're barking up the wrong tree. First paragraph of Article 9 prohibits Japan from invading another country like your Z hero. Talk about loonies.

I assume that "you Z hero" refers to the Russian President. I don't think that he is a hero in many peoples eyes right now.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

ReasonandWisdomNippon

The only times I've heard about Hiroshima and Nagasaki are in my history textbooks and when Japanese nationalists try to paint themselves as the victim in WW2.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Discussion of obtaining a strike capacity such as attack drones that could carry out first strikes against an enemy has been controversial given the constitutional limits on Japan's military.

I feel uneasy if Japan went down the road of first strike capacity. Japan seems to think that anything foreign is a threat. (How many times is it reported on JT that foreign ships are seen near "disputed" islands, operative word NEAR).

For goodness sake, keep Japan's right wing loonies off a trigger.

Japan already does have to some degree a strike capabilities. Japans technology in small rockets (claimed to be for the development of a moon base) developed by companies such as Interstellar Technologies.

-11 ( +11 / -22 )

Peter14

If you think you can arbitrarily claim ownership of international waters a thousand kilometers from your territory like China has then you need your head read.

If you like arbitrary claim ownerships, then try Japan's claim on the Kuril Islands. Japan already relinquished their claim to at least 2 of the islands. Putin offered them the other half to broker a peace agreement and the Japanese government rejected the offer.

Japan is just as bad as China is when it comes to territorial disputes.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

Peter14

I actually find China's argument more convincing. There are documents stating that the Diaoyu Islands were under China's control prior to the Sino-Japanese War. Just because Japan claims that the islands belonged to no one doesn't make it so. And just because China didn't really care about the islands until oil reserves were found isn't really a good argument for Japan.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

Unfortunately when US barks woof-woof, Japan do wan-wan..

Barking to the rhythm of the US may bring Japan more problems than benefits sooner or later..

Instead of following the paranoid, fearful, decadent and interventionist rhetoric with which US manipulates the world for its own benefit, Japan should have better common sense and improve its relations with China and Russia, it is better to be on the side of the winners, especially China, because the US very soon it will lose its world hegemony..

It will happen in the same way when the Roman Empire succumbed, the eastern tribes finished sinking it, in the same way that now the world order is changing and once again the easterners will have world power.

The future is RED..

Zelenskyy. A former actor and comedian, who never held a government position or office. An illusion bordering on fraud. He is a dangerous fool - willing to bring on WW3, claiming no responsibility.

Zelenskyy, made a reference to Pearl Harbor, in his speech to the US Congress. The reference, the analogy should have been to: the Cuban missile Crisis, that almost brought on WW3 and nuclear apocalypse.

Supporting the Ukraine is no more sensible than supporting Russia. Being proactive is beyond tomfoolery. One should be against The War. A ceasefire emplaced and negotiations.

The USA, has been pushing NATO to the border of Russia. This has been ongoing through the past three US administrations. The coup in The Ukraine, 2014, was orchestrated by Victoria Nuland and ambassador the Ukraine Pyatt along with various NGOs and nefarious 'intelligence agencies. Vice President Biden signed off on it. Ukraine is a pawn and finally, the inevitable has occurred.

The politicians in Japan, using the Ukraine as a means to militarize are simply opportunists and scoundrels.

BIG TRUTH !!..

Let's not encourage the warmongering right wing government here, please.

Japan is a wet tissue and hides behind America.

The best place to be is away from any kind of war.

That's right, and away from US..

Japan wants to be on the right side of history.

No, sadly, Japan stay in the side US desires..

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

TokyoLiving

i have to agree that Japan is doing what the US demands. I’m okay with Japan and Korea being subservient to us. China and Russia will eventually bow their heads as well.

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

"...though fears about energy needs have so far stopped Tokyo from pulling out of joint energy projects with Russia."

Also, Japan Tobacco's fear of losing profits is keeping it there, and the people's fear of losing out on all-you-can-eat crab had Japan reverse at least some of its sanctions in terms of importing marine products. So, it's not them being tough so much as trying to make people think they're being tough, then still doing business with Russia all the same. The bombs that are killing kids? as much as Japan says they are against it their refusal to cut all ties means they are helping to pay for said bombs, and supporting their use.

-14 ( +9 / -23 )

Out of curiosity - exactly how does the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have anything to do with the Ukraine crisis ?

If thats up for discussion then so should be what the Japanese imperial army did to asia and the pacific prior to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

That's also history !

-14 ( +6 / -20 )

WA4TKG

Russia just wants to be left alone. I’m an American, but I’m not a blind nationalist. The US pressured Ukraine to join NATO so that we could pressure Russia.

This situation is not black and white.

-14 ( +0 / -14 )

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