Japan's policy on strike capability could raise tensions in East Asia

The logic applied in this article is priceless.

The balance of power already changed when China became the #2 economy in the world surpassing Japan, now China economy is worth 3x that of Japan, including their military budget.

China, North Korea, Russia is not restricted by Article 9 or any such restrictions imposed on them all armed with Nuclear Weapons!

You can't be a country with Nuclear tipped ballistic missiles, a bigger economy and military budget and then complain about Japan getting basic weapons for offense if we get attacked.

Japan has no Nuclear Weapons in 2020. Doesn't plan to build any, while even poor North Korea has acquired them and threaten Japan with Nuclear Destruction.

None of those countries changed the balance of power,China didn't, Russia didn't North Korea didn't, South Korea didn't.....apparently only Japan having no nukes is the one changing the balance. Hypocry and Bias at it's best.

This "preemptive strike" option is a very bad idea for the simple reason that it would give whoever was struck a perfect excuse to "retaliate".

Japan seriously needs to invest in developing advanced defenses like lasers which would cost a lot to manufacture but would cheaper to run.

There would also be no need to attack first.

gaicuckojin, since when war against poverty becomes a crime ?

Xinjiang GDP has grown by 2000 times since 1952, is that a crime ?

You're absoulute right, perfect justification for genocide : )

experts warn such a decision could raise tensions in East Asia and backfire on the country itself.

The only countries where such a "rise in tensions" would occur is China and North Korea legitimately as they are the adversary, and South Korea only because of their usual anti-jp disorder as they are not an adversary. Russia would not be happy but they would keep quiet about it as they see Japan as a U.S. outpost.

In contrast, as with all military capability advancements by Japan it is welcomed by the US, UK, Australia, EU, Canada, India and all SEA nations.

"Other countries would strengthen their capacities to counter Japan's move, and East Asia would have to seek a (military) balance in a state of higher tensions," Ueki said.

The massive flaw in this argument is that certain "other countries" already have capabilities far in advance of Japan which alone is restrained by it's own constitution. It will not be a tit-for-tat development but Japan trying to catch up. This Ueki must be a left winger.

The massive flaw in this argument is that certain "other countries" already have capabilities far in advance of Japan which alone is restrained by it's own constitution. It will not be a tit-for-tat development but Japan trying to catch up. This Ueki must be a left winger.

Exactly! Japan becoming a full military power will be a game changer. China knows that.

Only way to find peace with china is through offensive aggression as they dont understand any other language so it will b wiser n economical for japan to develop its own defensive weapons

So NK getting nuclear weapons and ICBMs, and then threatening to use them, didn't raise tensions in East Asia?

It is about time Japan learns to defend itself. I hope the Japanese military rises again. Only the Japanese can protect the Japanese.

The argument that adding offensive strike weapons to Japan's military would suddenly make Japan a target ignores the reality that Japan already is a target. China aches to punish Japan for the barbarities of WWII. Never mind the complicity of Mao with the Japanese and the CCPs abject cowardice failing to defend China against the Japanese. Absent the presence and commitment of US forces and strong independent Japanese capabilities the Chinese will attack Japan and wreak as much destruction as they can with no regard for what any other country thinks about what they do. Japan is a target now and needs to take the measures necessary to defend itself.

unfortunately, there are much more war criminals than actually being charged on this planet, and more potential war criminals than real ones.

Xi and his war against Xinjiang makes him war criminal

@OssanAmerica

China and NK will only shout some brief protest, they have more than enough enemies and problems already, especially China. And we all know the dog that always barks whatever Japan does, so their opinion is also irrelevant

When you have "peeping tom" as your neighbor, you won't be comfortable living in glass houses.

thank goodness for the 'experts'.... without whom none of us would ever have guessed.....

gaicuckojin, since when war against poverty becomes a crime ?

Xinjiang GDP has grown by 2000 times since 1952, is that a crime ?

Switzerland has survived two world wars by being neutral with aggressive combatants on every border, Japan would be wise to take a moment be the adult and let the big boys sort it out themselves. There is little to gain for Japan by taking an aggressive posture.