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With eye on 'if Trump wins' scenario, Japan weighs committing to its own defense

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X-45 the Floridian formerly known as the gross conman, has political beliefs more in line with those of Russia and China, i.e. he wants to be despot like Putin and Xi so he can rake in more money for himself from his country's wealth, and has frequently made verbal attacks on the USA. He has shown his disdain for democracy, for example leading a failed insurrection to overthrow an election that he clearly lost, and frequently makes disparaging comments about the US, its people and its systems. He wants back in office so he can punish his many enemies, not try to make America great. World beware the man who was seen as a global laughingstock wants to undo democracies everywhere. He's a serial fabulist, nothing he says can be trusted, except perhaps by his loyal cult members, a minority of Americans, a minority as shown by both popular and electoral election results.

5 ( +24 / -19 )

Good idea Japan! Trump only cares about his hip pocket and would sell his soul to the highest bidder!

-7 ( +17 / -24 )

If Trump wins I will weigh committing to my own defense.

-9 ( +12 / -21 )

If Trump wins the election during the current state of the world NOW instead of when he was President four years ago, his administration would create a very nice alliance with Japan. It would be in the USA's best interest.

0 ( +19 / -19 )

Trump would be a great President for world peace.

-6 ( +28 / -34 )

The world was at peace four years ago, truth

3 ( +26 / -23 )

One of the most frightening things in the world right now is how so many Americans want 5 November 2024 to be 30 January 1933.

4 ( +18 / -14 )

CSToday 06:59 am JST

Trump would be a great President for world peace.

I'm sure someone said that about Neville Chamberlain. And he was doing it out of genuine belief rather than serving a foreign interest like Trump.

1 ( +18 / -17 )

otherworldlyToday 07:16 am JST

The world was at peace four years ago, truth

No, the US was in a tenuous agreement with the Taliban that wouldn't last and Hamas was probably preparing for 10/7.

-4 ( +15 / -19 )

It ashamed that people let their insecurities follow them in the New Year

-12 ( +5 / -17 )

"If Trump wins, an enormous challenge would await Japan" which would make it necessary to be strident in convincing his administration of the worth of the bilateral alliance, said Maeshima, a specialist in American politics and foreign policy.

I would suggest that the only "challenge" facing Japan when dealing with Trump, IF they have to, is to see how fast they can print enough money to make it look like they are doing something to merit the alliance continuing.

Oh and make sure to throw in some sun tanning makeup from Shiseido!

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

Can someone explain to me WHY the Japanese government doesn't consider the possibility of building up their military regardless of whoever is elected? Japan being military independent is more beneficial for everyone.

3 ( +15 / -12 )

Close all 400 + overseas bases in foreign countries and bring the troops home.

America saves money

World gets peace

Do it Trump.

Abd then when Japan - rightly - massively re-arms to protect herself, people of your ilk will decry her for being a "warmonger", "imperialist" and so on.

If the US under Trump weakens the US-Japan alliance, Japan has no option but to engage in a very large build up of offensive and defensive weapons. Accept it, or disengage yourself entirely from Japan.

0 ( +11 / -11 )

First15, Japanese politician are psychological dependent on America,wonder why they are insecure of Trump , when the Democrat base inflicted psychological political rule on Trump

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

The cost of US overseas bases is only $25 billion out of a defense budget of $800 billion.

-4 ( +10 / -14 )

world is getting seriously tired from "american century".

How do you think us Americans feel? We're TIRED of being the world's police.

-1 ( +16 / -17 )

I have no doubt Trump will win now after speaking to people in the US. One reason is that the democrats insist on putting forward Biden and he will not be coherent in a real time debate. Get ready. Hopefully virus #2 will not be coming.

-2 ( +10 / -12 )

Close all 400 + overseas bases in foreign 

That’s about half of the total number of bases.

*Can someone explain to me WHY the Japanese government doesn't consider the possibility of building up their military regardless of whoever is elected? Japan being military independent is more beneficial for everyone.*

The question is execution. They can’t get it done. Former prime minister Yukio Hatoyama tried to move towards that. He hardly started before he was removed.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

world is getting seriously tired from "american century".

go home return as tourists.

They do return, to places like Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam and so on. The U.S. deposits a lot of seamen over seas.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

"But it is not a factor to be considered at all in Trump's mind," he said.

If their is one thing I do not dislike about Trump and favor him over the neo-cons it is his consistent non-interventionism.

Of course this is balanced by his coddling of authoritarians, alienation of allies, and international bluster.

The opposite of "talk softly and carry a big stick".

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Of course this is balanced by his coddling of authoritarians, alienation of allies, and international bluster. 

Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer.

-12 ( +5 / -17 )

He’ll just stink everything up. Pun intended.

The last 4 years he didn’t, so we have a strong indication it’ll be the same.

-13 ( +8 / -21 )

Keep your enemies under indictment

-10 ( +5 / -15 )

Keep your enemies under indictment

Good luck with that.

-6 ( +8 / -14 )

Trump is facing 91 criminal charges. They include 44 federal charges and 47 state charges, all of them felonies.

-7 ( +11 / -18 )

And each charge gets him more votes. This is how they shoot themselves again and again. The anti-Trump of the U.S. clearly needs a brain.

-3 ( +11 / -14 )

If Trump is able to run he will win and there will be chaos at home and abroad. In addition to bolstering defenses Japan should also reengage earnestly with China as the two nations are neighbors and the two regional powers.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Until let's say Abe's time the US was always wary about Japan rearming and choosing the militant road one more time. Of course China and the two Koreas opposed Japan rearmament as well.

That fear is largely past now for a number of reasons.

Can someone explain to me WHY the Japanese government doesn't consider the possibility of building up their military

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Trump is facing 91 criminal charges. They include 44 federal charges and 47 state charges, all of them felonies

We know, we all know already, the media pushes this every single day and throughout the day.

If Trump is able to run he will win and there will be chaos at home and abroad. In addition to bolstering defenses Japan should also reengage earnestly with China as the two nations are neighbors and the two regional powers.

I agree.

-5 ( +8 / -13 )

Trump is facing 91 criminal charges. 

Majority of which there hasn't even been a trial for despite almost nine years of constant investigations.

And each charge gets him more votes. This is how they shoot themselves again and again.

Actually, it's quite the opposite. Every new accusation only drive the wedge in further and increases the hostilities in play. Everyone who's a Progressive accuses Trump of being guilty because "Why else" would the government investigate him in the first place, meanwhile everyone who defends him is branded as a racist Nazi because "How dare you" disagree with the government (With some are official adapting the label because being labelled as a "racist Nazi" has lost all meaning).

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

Trump is like a pimple. The more attention it gets the bigger it gets. However, if you ignore it, it will go away by itself.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

the US was always wary about Japan rearming and choosing the militant road one more time

That was because of the vets and boomers still sore about Pearl Harbor. These days, the only people banging the "Anti-Japanese" drum are a minority consisting almost entirely of so-called "Internet intellectuals", with everything from your average video game journalist to ecelebs like Razorfist.

However, from what I understand, the entire mindset of Japan being a military powerhouse was started because of the Meiji Restoration, with Japan trying to play "catch-up" with the Western world.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

And each charge gets him more votes. This is how they shoot themselves again and again. The anti-Trump of the U.S. clearly needs a brain

According to the stolen election crowd, the anti-Trump crowd stole the election and got away with it.

Sounds like a big brain to me. Fiendish, but definitely a lot of horse power upstairs.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Japan could be forced to deal with a militarily emboldened China and North Korea..

When he returns it will be the exact opposite, no country anywhere will be militarily emboldened ...

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

bass4funkToday 09:16 am JST

Of course this is balanced by his coddling of authoritarians, alienation of allies, and international bluster. 

Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer.

Yeah, that doesn't mean you keep your enemies in the oval office with you, and Trump has never demonstrated self control beyond five seconds, which is what a smart foreign policy would require.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

bass4funk Today 09:13 am JST

My guess is he is also waiting to see if Trump gets reelected. If Trump does, Xi will calculate his chances of success to be high enough to risk it.

Doubt it, if he’s going to invade, it would most likely be before a Trump elected Presidency, not after.

Why? Trump will complete the US surrender in Ukraine, fully demonstrating he and his supporters have no staying power.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

"If Trump becomes the president, he would return to his 'America first' policies and pursue them more vigorously by forming his administration only with his supporters," said Tetsuo Kotani, an international security expert at Meikai University.

Kotani seems to have a simple view of the world.

Arguably ex-president Trump did more for peace in Asia than any other President before him.

Biden is asleep at the wheel and Trump needs to get the USA back on course !

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

kurisupisuToday 10:24 am JST

There is going to be a lot less peace in Asia if Trump triggers Taiwan Go Time from China.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Yeah, that doesn't mean you keep your enemies in the oval office with you,

So that explains Dems running for the hills from Biden…

and Trump has never demonstrated self control beyond five seconds,

Good?

which is what a smart foreign policy would require.

You mean, to be controlled by his staff, hate to tell you this, but no one elected them to anything.

Why? Trump will complete the US surrender in Ukraine, fully demonstrating he and his supporters have no staying power.

That’s fine by me.

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

"In a departure from Trump's first administration which ran from 2017 to 2021 and had "decent" people who saw a need to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and U.S. defense posture in the Indo-Pacific region, Kotani believes "we would see weakening U.S. commitment to defending" Japan in a second term."

The "decent" people were leftovers from the Obama administration who were disloyal to Trump and had their own agenda.

WWII ended in 1945 and the occupation of Japan ended in April 28, 1952. The year is now 2023, why do we still have U.S. military stationed in Japan? Isn't it time that our allies defend their own countries.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

trump was an embarrassment who was literally laughed at by world leaders. We did not have peace during his term in office and our reputation as severely damaged. He had zero accomplishments except for negotiating with terrorists and ballooning our debt. Only the uneducated, bigots, and xenophobes support trump. He is not popular with our military. America fired him and he tried to overthrow our democracy. Now he's facing multiple state and federal indictments. Americans will not suffer him again. That said, Japan should invest heavily in its own military. Japan can absolutely have a strong military and still be one of the beautiful, peaceful people on the planet. Russia and China fear a strong Japan.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Trump 2024!

oh wait, it’s 2024 now.

tick tock.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

WWII ended in 1945 and the occupation of Japan ended in April 28, 1952. The year is now 2023, why do we still have U.S. military stationed in Japan? Isn't it time that our allies defend their own countries.

It’s a win-win-win for both governments and young people who need a bit of time to sort out their goals in life or don’t have the resources to go the standard route. And there’s been no war involving Japan.

That said most Japanese I know would prefer to have their own military, like a normal sovereign nation. To be forbidden to have your own military is likened to being castrated. Japan is flaccid and has no power.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

This shows that close US allies have little to no faith in a Trump led America. I cant fault Japan for that sensible assessment. Trump is as much a loose nutjob as Kim from NK.

It is not about siding with Democrats or any dislike of Republicans, it is all about Trump being an idiot and sympathizer of dictators who he admires and wants to become like, himself.

Trump is an enemy of the free world as much as Putin, Xi and Kim are, only he has the power as President of the USA to destroy the alliances that have kept the world from a third world conflict, and to destroy US democracy.

Any American who values free speech and getting to vote in democratic elections with peaceful handover of power between parties, is kidding themselves if they vote for Trump. Trump will make America subservient again. Not to England, but to Russia and through them, to China.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

The year is now 2023, why do we still have U.S. military stationed in Japan? Isn't it time that our allies defend their own countries.

IIRC, there's also the problem of the peace treaty Japan signed restricting them from being able form an army for any purposes except "self-defense".

We did not have peace during his term in office and our reputation as severely damaged.

What major conflicts started under Trump?

Only the uneducated, bigots, and xenophobes support trump. 

You want me to post the college educated Asians and gays supporting Trump? Or do they not count because they a "Diverse/Gay person who doesn't want to be a Diverse/Gay voice"?

He is not popular with our military. 

So?

America fired him and he tried to overthrow our democracy. 

Yes, in the "most secure election in the history" that was so secure that questioning it even partial brands you a conspiracy theorists (But not when you question the 2016 results). And tried to "overthrow" the government by telling people to calm down and go home.

Now he's facing multiple state and federal indictments.

Which he has never been charged, tried, nor convicted for.

Americans will not suffer him again. 

Who "suffered" from 2017-2020? Everything I can think of is only in relation to the lockdowns, something which every member of the government was in favor of.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Trump is not only a clear and present danger to the United States but to the entire free world as we know it.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

trump was an embarrassment who was literally laughed at by world leaders.

Yeah, but they didn’t laugh in his face and what made him resonate so much was he wasn’t a globalist. All the more reasons his popularity continues to soar.

We did not have peace during his term in office and our reputation as severely damaged.

Name me one war that he had under Trump. What chaos geopolitically did we have during his administration?

He had zero accomplishments

280 to be exact. Documented, indisputable and irrefutable.

except for negotiating with terrorists and ballooning our debt.

And look what Biden is doing and 2024 just started…

Only the uneducated, bigots, and xenophobes support trump.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/poll-17-of-black-americans-support-donald-trump-up-9-points-from-2020/ar-AA1ltjgU

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/hispanic-support-trump-raises-red-flag-biden-2023-12-16/

A lot of bigots

He is not popular with our military.

Beg to differ

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/30/us-afghanistan-war-military-pullout-report-biden-trump

America fired him and he tried to overthrow our democracy.

No, he didn’t, if he did, he would have been in prison, that’s why he wasn’t charged, for the riot.

Now he's facing multiple state and federal indictments. Americans will not suffer him again.

So judging by the polls, it seems they are deciding who they are suffering under.

That said, Japan should invest heavily in its own military. Japan can absolutely have a strong military and still be one of the beautiful, peaceful people on the planet. Russia and China fear a strong Japan.

It can, but definitely not with the combined help of the United States, we know it, they know it.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

Trump is not only a clear and present danger to the United States but to the entire free world as we know it.

LOL

This worked wonders last time. Trump served 4 years and nothing changed much, except no wars or proxy wars.

It’ll probably work on a few of the syndrome folks but not nearly as many especially those who don’t like war.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

Only the uneducated, bigots, and xenophobes support trump. 

Is Vivek uneducated?

It is not about siding with Democrats or any dislike of Republicans, it is all about Trump being an idiot and sympathizer of dictators who he admires and wants to become like, himself.

The U.S. needs an authoritarian instead of a much of directionless puppeteers. It is the way to go.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

First15

Today 08:47 am JST

How do you think us Americans feel? We're TIRED of being the world's police.

Tell your politicians and corporate CEOs that.

quercetum

Today 11:11 am JST

That said most Japanese I know would prefer to have their own military, like a normal sovereign nation. To be forbidden to have your own military is likened to being castrated. Japan is flaccid and has no power.

They've got their own military, it's very well funded and equipped, and they plan to spend even more money on it. They're just restricted in terms of what they can do with it.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

If Trump wins, which I doubt unless my vain hope that G-Joe may be absent, away in the Hague, happens - lol!) he'll have another "first" - the first Potus to serve from a prison suite, or more likely, from White House Arrest. He may even get a day release to attend his inauguration. Would be wild! That's a fantastical future scenario, but the Japanese government folks must be having nightmares about a rerun of Trump's reality show.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Better a white dictatorship than a multi racial democracy. Bring back Trump

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Tell your politicians and corporate CEOs that.

We do and they don't care. I could tell you why, if you're at all curious.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

If Trump wins, which I doubt

That’s the lefts and establishment endeavors.

unless my vain hope that G-Joe may be absent, away in the Hague, happens - lol!) he'll have another "first" - the first Potus to serve from a prison suite,

That won’t happen.

or more likely, from White House Arrest.

Not in a Million years

He may even get a day release to attend his inauguration. Would be wild! That's a fantastical future scenario, but the Japanese government folks must be having nightmares about a rerun of Trump's reality show.

Yeah, that would make for a good NBC televised 2 season drama.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

Trump is winning, Japan might as well start preparing for it and be at the front of the line to congratulate him.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

Kotani pointed out the possibility that Trump could even be willing to use Taiwan as a bargaining chip in a "deal" with China

A really questionable and biased assessment considering that the Trump administration increased weapons sales to Taiwan and ordered the US Navy to sail through the Taiwan straits more times than any other US President.

https://www.csis.org/blogs/new-perspectives-asia/how-biden-building-trumps-legacy-taiwan

Trump was tougher on China than any previous US President. Not like the Biden administration which has managed to push China and Russia together, and is now sending the US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to China to signal that it's looking for a detente.

Trump wants American allies to take primary responsibility for their own defense instead of free riding on the US. Becoming self reliant should be a good thing, but of course many nations want to continue being free riders and the US liberal left is taking their side over the interests of their own nation.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

First15Today  11:17 am JST

Yes, in the "most secure election in the history" that was so secure that questioning it even partial brands you a conspiracy theorists (But not when you question the 2016 results).

But no one questions the 2016 results. Compare what Hilary Clinton did with the stink Donald Trump kicked up in 2020.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

They've got their own military, it's very well funded and equipped, and they plan to spend even more money on it. They're just restricted in terms of what they can do with it.

Are you implying then their military is insufficient and there is still a need for the US military in Japan?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

quercetumToday  12:52 pm JST

"They've got their own military, it's very well funded and equipped, and they plan to spend even more money on it. They're just restricted in terms of what they can do with it."

Are you implying then their military is insufficient and there is still a need for the US military in Japan?

I'm not sure how you could infer that from what I said about it being well funded and equipped.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Japan should commit to its own defense and rely less on the US, regardless who wins the next election. Recent events have demonstrated that the US cannot be relied upon for defense. The US uses its "friends" to carry out proxy wars.

No thanks, Japan should think about its own defense and strengthen relations that benefit Japan, rather than following the current downward path dictated by the US.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

No thanks, Japan should think about its own defense and strengthen relations that benefit Japan, rather than following the current downward path dictated by the US.

If Japan were to stop following the U.S. that would benefit China and Japan alone is no match for China, it definitely needs America

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

It's the economy Stupid.

People want a better way of life. The four years of the Biden experiment and "Bidenomics" didn't pan out.

Over the hill inflation, 4 bucks a gallon, higher taxes, sky rocketing food and cost of living prices. Don't mention the open border.

It's time for change.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

If Japan were to stop following the U.S. that would benefit China and Japan alone is no match for China, it definitely needs America

If Japan continues to follow the US, it will be involved in a proxy war against China and will end up destroyed just like Ukraine.

There is no need for Japan to fight against China, that will only profit the US elite.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

If Japan continues to follow the US, it will be involved in a proxy war against China

That has nothing to do with the U.S. in the sense that Taiwan is a sovereign nation and the US and Japan will uphold that sovereignty. So it’s up to China what it wants to do.

and will end up destroyed just like Ukraine.

Probably.

There is no need for Japan to fight against China,

If China doesn’t invade Taiwan, then no need for concern about a Pacific conflict.

that will only profit the US elite.

On both sides.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

But no one questions the 2016 results. 

Is Hillary Clinton now "no one": https://archive.ph/H4Bhz

Compare what Hilary Clinton did

Started an entire media narrative that the only reason why Trump won was due to "Russia collusion", that has sparked innumerable investigations across every branch and level of the government (Some of which are still ongoing)?

with the stink Donald Trump kicked up in 2020.

Bring lawsuits to the courts for the purposes of verifying the results of the election (As that's the only way to recount and verify election results that seem questionable)?

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Yay, a twice impeached convicted rapist who is also a pathological liar, a climate change denier, a man who suggested injecting bleach as a cure for COVID, and a racist to boot. What’s not to love?!

0 ( +6 / -6 )

There is no need for Japan to fight against China,

You say that like a conflict with West Taiwan (A Communist country who's constantly invading the territorial geography and waters of it's neighbors) can be avoided.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Yay, a twice impeached convicted rapist who is also a pathological liar, a climate change denier, a man who suggested injecting bleach as a cure for COVID,

Think about that, even with all of these fruitless allegations, personal attacks and selected hit pieces, his popularity didn’t falter.

and a racist to boot.

Not even close.

What’s not to love?!

Hmmm…

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

I changed my mind and I am going to vote for Mr. Trump not that I agree with many of his policies but to tell Mr. Biden I had enough of WAR TALK and WAR AID, the world need PEACE and not wars, people are being killed in Gaza and Ukraine daily on Mr. Biden watch.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Trump for 2024.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

So does Japan pursue its own policy or is it still dictated by America how to behave? Elections in America, but why is there “panic” in Japan? )))

4 ( +6 / -2 )

First15Today  01:32 pm JST

Started an entire media narrative that the only reason why Trump won was due to "Russia collusion", that has sparked innumerable investigations across every branch and level of the government (Some of which are still ongoing)?

She didn't incite a mob to run riot in Congress.

Bring lawsuits to the courts for the purposes of verifying the results of the election (As that's the only way to recount and verify election results that seem questionable)?

All a massive waste of time. Anything else you might be overlooking?

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Trump was the only modern president to not start wars - he also ended the disastrous 20 year war against Afghanistan.

Biden (actually the neo-cons/libs in the shadows) have managed to bungle up entire regions and ratchet up tensions.

Maybe there could be an intense hearing in Senate room 216 (Hart building) where the issues can be fleshed out. Put it on video tape. The Senior Senator of MA and his staff are known for their advocacy in those quarters.

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

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