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© KYODODon't pursue strike capability or NATO-like Asia, scholars tell Suga
By Ko Hirano TOKYO©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
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© KYODO
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Fighto!
What right do these "scholars" have to tell Japan what to do? Suga will be well advised to stay the course Abe pursued, making Japan much stronger militarily, working to eliminate Article 9, and normalizing the military. Japan should reserve the capability to strike at other nations and engage in wars overseas if her interests or allies are under any threat. Like all other nations in the region do. The USA endorses Japan becoming more powerful militarily.
@ Hiro - Where do you get this idea that Communist China is "friendly" to Japan. It most certainly is anything but friendly.
OssanAmerica
Scholars funded quietly by China. The only country that does not want any kind of "Nato-like" alliance in Asia is China. Divide and conquer. Nor do they want Japan to have any capability that may change Japan's "defenseless" posture,
Hiro
A country that has no attack capability is weak. Even if you don't want trouble, trouble will eventually find you. It might not be now,but who can say in a few years? The strong can push the weak around. That is reality in the world. Once you keep showing your passive side, it will only bolster the bullies ego.
Only those who remain strong has the right to cast their voice. And the truth is, our military capability is weak. Without the US, we are even more weak. We have no attack missiles nor nukes, while the rest of the powerful nations all has these things. What do we have? Only some defense capability. How long can you defend?
People are dreaming is they think Korea and China hold no hostility to us. They might be smiling, but they are eager to crush us at every opportunity. Only reason why China now is very friendly toward us is because they are lock in conflict with Taiwan, India and US. Give it 1 more year and they will resume their hostility.
Why shouldn't we develop strike capability and strengthening our country? Every nation is doing it so why can't we? Because they expect us to be role models or want to forever suppress us? I rather we stand strong as real japanese without needing to call for the US help whenever we are in trouble. Is not like we are going to war. We are merely standing up for ourselves just like any other normal country in the world.
David Michael Lockard
Sounds like it is coming straight from the CCP mass mind control germ warfare department.
Don't pursue strike capability or NATO-like Asia,
If you had a satellite broadcasting subliminal messages - probably label that one CCP.
Ken Wyatt
Create an Asian NATO? Why? So that the US can moan about members not paying their "fair share"?
Most people in Japan are NOT interested in waging endless, meaningless foreign wars.
Build up Japan's defenses, but don't touch article 9.
These "scholars" seem to be suggesting Japan remain weak and appease China. Yeah, Chamberlain tried that.
noriahojanen
Any alternative thoughts? Peace by talks?? Otherwise it is suspected that those scholars get sponsored from Beijing.
TARA TAN KITAOKA
War is only good for weapons makers. The amount spent on war do not help nations or its people.
Kobe White Bar Owner
Suga will check with his Nippon gakai handler before responding.
Peter14
China is a joke, just ignore it. Any Chinese govt has no right to send 1.3 billion real Chinese lives to any wars, simple as that.
TrevorPeace
Scholars. The new bad word. It's far past the time for ASEAN nations to forget what Japan did in the early half of the 20th century and get with the program of what's actually happening. Japan MUST make it clear to China that Taiwan is an independent state, and back up that support with strike capability, if China wants to push its weight around. There are no cojones in Japan's so-called leadership. They cower when push comes to shove.
Peeping_Tom
"Are you kidding me? With that birth rate and already 28% over 65 years old you only can choose if the young people serve in the JDF to save your rojinhome from earthquake and floods or serve in that homes to feed you with a spoon and change your pampers. That are the remaining options.@
There are currently (latest available stats) around 73,408 -Millions, not thousands) adults younger than 64 yrs in the country.
Japan enlists roundly 247,150 personnel (only). Plus 56,000 (reserves).
How many millions do you think a modern military needs?
People like to talk without checking the full facts.
Desert Tortoise
He sold his share in that company many years ago. Ten years ago there was no stigma attached to doing business with China. Times have changed but ten years ago when Hu Jintao was China's President there was still some hope in China becoming democratic eventually. Learn your history.
ReasonandWisdomNippon
Hiro I agree with your point of view. Very well said.
No one is talking about rebuilding the Imperial Japanese army of WW2. No one wants that!
We are talking about the changing situation in East Asia with all of our neighbors becoming more powerful, more military, more capabilities... That's the reality!
This is about Japan's survival. It's about changing just enough to not be bullied, threaten, killed, destroyed, make them think twice about ever using a weapon of mass destruction on Japanese land again.
rcch
“NATO-like arrangement” huh? some complicated stuff right there. give some second thoughts about that. no region(s) in the world can match the historical ties between the US and Western Europe.
Sven Asai
Are you kidding me? With that birth rate and already 28% over 65 years old you only can choose if the young people serve in the JDF to save your rojinhome from earthquake and floods or serve in that homes to feed you with a spoon and change your pampers. That are the remaining options.
Desert Tortoise
Failing to prepare a credible defense invites the sort of defeat and subjugation suffered by the Poles in WWII. Playing Bambi in a neighborhood dominated by a monster like China doesn't prevent war. It invites it. Remember China hates Japan. They might like some of Japan's cars and household appliances but given the opportunity they will lash our harshly to punish Japan for WWII.
sakurasuki
How to finance NATO like Asia? More debt and more tax increase?
sakurasuki
It has been decided,
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/09/22/national/japan-record-defense-budget-yoshihide-suga/
so expect tax increase as in near future
https://japantoday.com/category/politics/update1-suga-top-contender-to-succeed-pm-abe-hints-at-consumption-tax-hike
Jandworld
So lucky to accept only a medium power.
Do the hustle
Pursuing strike capabilities makes Japan an antagonist in breech of their pacifist constitution. It also makes them a threat to China and Russia, both of which are just waiting for a reason to seat japan like a fly. It’s only the US occupation and intervention that has stopped Japan being swatted in the last 70 years. Japan should be very careful what they wish for. They just might get it.
Cogito Ergo Sum
If for a moment we pause and reflect on what's happening NOW, how the world has been turned helter- skelter by the Covid-19, just think how much worse it could be in case of a war. In case ? There is an economic war - judging by history - usually, a precursor to open hostilities and the ensuing conundrum therein.
The imports of commodities which many countries in both S.E. and Far East Asia- the world's most densely populated region- would be blockaded right from the Gulf region and several choke-points along the route to China or Japan. Remember this is a route carrying over $ 5 trillion worth of commodities through the South CHINA and East CHINA seas to get to Japan. I, again, pose a question, is the pursuance of peace such a lofty subject ? Given that any spark in that region would throw the whole world right into the precipice. Is having a War the ONLY price for Peace ?
rgcivilian1
Similarly, Kavi said that if the Democrats recapture the White House, "Japan will have a bigger space to initiate its own policies which would be more fitting to the region."
re: Sure under the watchful eye of China. How many Dems are heavily invested in China? Including Harris's husband vs an lawyer owned funds investment company, Bidens' own son with a lucrative company in CCP.
"Mr Biden will make the U.S. a normal country that can be expected to act certain ways as a superpower, not the kind of unpredictable leadership style of Mr. Trump," he said.
Sure this puppet will ensure and sign off any rights that we have in Japan to be stripped and put you in the mines for life and slave to a system of poverty for sure.
Japan is best to continue its course. Suga is not a rookie and neither are those under him.
Seth M
Japan should have nuclear arms in case US deterrence fails, which looks more and more likely. But no more alliance against China.
Like Europe, Asia does not need anymore wars and it's up to Japan to ensure that. America couldn't care less about Asia and Japan, they only want war with China
Hatman1793
Tay & Kavi and some of the other “some academics in Southeast Asia” are the voices that Suga must ignore.
Afflicted by Trump Derangement Syndrome these persons want the status quo maintained at the peril of the imperialist Chicom totalitarian regime.
It’s time for Japan & Australia to nuke up mirroring India’s stance on CCP. All these nations stood by and watched the Chicoms repudiate the HK-UK treaty, & did nothing. The Chicoms cannot wait for Beijing Biden to win, but quake when T45 wins in a landslide.
Akie
Hatman1793, why should "Japan & Australia to nuke up mirroring India’s stance on CCP " ?
China is Japan's neighbor, and our relationship can be said as husband and wife for thousand years. If you don't know how to respect your neighbors, we can definitely teach you how.
TheRat
Uh, zombies don’t listen. WHEN did this zombie club, LDP, EVER listen to sound advice or to the people! He will go right ahead with this plan. That is what the munitions people want!
Akie
Quad is a joke, just ignore it. Any Japanese govt has no right to send 127 million real Japanese lives to any wars, as simple as that.
Mickelicious
The last thing we need is another NATO.