politics

Germany gives Japan its backing as N Korea tensions rise

30 Comments
By Kyoko Hasegawa

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30 Comments
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If North Korea starts a war it's going to be them versus USA, South Korea, Japan. Austr NZealand, Canada, NATO, basically the United Nations like before. I don't see any benefit at all for China to even attempt to help North Korea at this point.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Thank you Germany.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

This is escalating fast. Even if the backing by such greatly powerful countries, like US and Germany, make us feel safer now, these coalition formations resemble wwII too much for comfort.

No it doesn't. What are you talking about? It's NK Vs. the world.

At least now Chavez is gonne, Castro is not in power and Iran together with all the middle east regimes that would back North Korea simply to be against the US are not in position to make a move. Then there is China...

If you get caught with whatever it is you're smoking, you'll get some serious jailtime.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

we will make preparations for any unforeseen contingencies… to ensure that we protect the safety and the integrity of all our citizens.

If it is unforeseen, how do you prepare for it?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

China is the laboring the problem and playing the exploiter game, and China next moves will be for China's interest.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Let's get Italy in there too

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Germany is always good with words, but if it comes to put action into words they are running away for safety. Look what they did after Fukushima happened.

I don't know about that. Look at the first half of the 20th century. They talked the talk, and walked the walk.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

The answer is. Well China Would not like a Nuclear War next door , Due to its proximity for Radioactive fall out. I bet They Will tell the North Koreas President to step carefully If he makes a bad decision his position. China Would Prefer trade than War I Think.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I am surprised no one is mentioning that China has already urged North Korea to "settle down". They have also hinted if it came down to it, they would support the other side and leave their friendly North Korea on their own. Or was this another Mexican propaganda attempt?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

In the event of an unseen nuclear, environmental, and human catastrophe in Japan, the conservative German Merkel-government will come to you aid... by sending a dozen rescue dogs and a few warm words. Oh right, that was in 2011.

Kudos to other governments that actually send their army (USA). Btw i am from Germany and i can tell you this. Thsi government is all about kind words and opressive action. If you call Germany for help, they will destroy your country or what is left of it (Greece, Spain, Italy). U.S. will actually come in and do something.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

^ ikr. JapanToday not mention about China stance and its opposition to NK. So many commenters in this site assume China on NK side lol.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

USA=1, Germany=1, China=0

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Deutschland danka! ドイツありがとうございます‼ Thank you fatherland Germany!!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Democratic countries (to the extent that they are) need to form an alliance to balance China's growing power.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Lil Kim vrs the world....I like it Probie.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Andreas Zachcial - Totally agree that the behavior of the German Embassy was embarrassing! But that was for political reasons as much as maybe some ex-pats in Tokyo panicking. Going to war means sending soldiers, something they do already in other countries.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Kishida echoed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s earlier statement in Japan, saying “we will make preparations for any unforeseen contingencies… to ensure that we protect the safety and the integrity of all our citizens.”< That's ridiclous, how does one prepare for contingenies that are unforseen? What about Fukushina? That was definitely unforseen.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

More or less a given, but nice to hear. No one would back NK unless push came to shove, and even then they might not.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

All germane (yes: 'germane').

0 ( +0 / -0 )

now parties are getting together for this korean peninsula story, good to see germany on board while this region is still trying to see which direction NK would take.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Let's hope they support South Korea too.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The answer is. Well China Would not like a Nuclear War next door , Due to its proximity for Radioactive fall out.

Not only China, Japan and South Korea will get castrophe due to its proximity of radioactive fall out. If NK is nuked, the lifehood of Tokyo residents getting the Cancer is extremely high.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

and no one wants to talk about it but....the reason the DPRK can run its mouth is because it has a signed defense pact with China. And if the North is ever attacked or invaded the chinese would assist them. This agreement was made after the first korean war and to my knowledge has never been nullified. The koreans know this, and the US know this so basically nobody wants to make the first move.

No they wouldn't. Times and circumstances have changed. China will let NK talk but won't allow them to take any action. China realises that NK would capitulate if it chose a path of hostility and a pro-US state on its border is something they wouldn't want. Never mind the refugees that would flee across into China - we are talking millions that China would have to look after. China's priority is China in the 21st Century - its ever expanding economy, not some little unimportant hermit kingdom with little-man syndrome.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Is this guy lame or what? Even his dad knew the limits. Kim- Jong needs to start scouting for his 'Spider-Hole'.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

No countries wil do any harm to North Korea, China is certainly help defend that country at all cost although Kim III wasnt a favorite candidate! No countries dare to take actions as Obama is sitting idle and do nothing!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

no one seems to get it...the DPRK is a proxy for China. The North koreans will one day fight the south in the attempt to unify the peninsulla. But no one knows when the time will come. They tried 60yrs ago and failed because of the U.S. and Nato. So today, the rhetoric has been fire hot to bait the U.S. into showing their cards if there were to be a real conflict. And sadly the US is showing North Korea and China exactly what to expect and prepare for when the real dance starts.

The North Koreans can't really gather the kind of intel they would need in preparation for an actually conflict so they basically create this situation to get the US to show its hand.i.e. B2 bombers, Cruisers, Radar Equip. Missle defense, THAD,etc. This also shows China what to expect from the US in the region when things get hot. But things won't be really HOT until a few years when the DPRK can actually match all the talk and rhetoric with real proven advancements in missle tech, and nuclear tech.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

and no one wants to talk about it but....the reason the DPRK can run its mouth is because it has a signed defense pact with China. And if the North is ever attacked or invaded the chinese would assist them. This agreement was made after the first korean war and to my knowledge has never been nullified. The koreans know this, and the US know this so basically nobody wants to make the first move.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

In seriously doubt China would want to get into a war with America - China is emerging as an economic giant and needs to be pals with the west for financial reasons. The last thing they need or want is a barrier again.

As for Germany, well apart from being wartime allies they are also peacetime allies - the JGSDF uniform camouflage pattern is based on the German Flecktarn, and the SDF also uses the German Panzerfaust AT weapon... so more than just an historical alliance, but an ongoing one.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

This is escalating fast. Even if the backing by such greatly powerful countries, like US and Germany, make us feel safer now, these coalition formations resemble wwII too much for comfort. At least now Chavez is gonne, Castro is not in power and Iran together with all the middle east regimes that would back North Korea simply to be against the US are not in position to make a move. Then there is China...

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Germany is always good with words, but if it comes to put action into words they are running away for safety. Look what they did after Fukushima happened.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

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