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Hatoyama says he wants more equal ties with U.S.

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49 Comments
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Equa rights means equal responsibilities. When we see the Japanese contributing to the common defense, they can have more say in howthat defense is conducted.

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Be careful what you wish for Mr Hotoyama. The military bases is what keeps the US/Japan trade relations in such a huge imbalance that favors Japan heavily. With those bases gone you lose the leverage Japan has; I really doubt that you will like the "equal" relations once you have nothing to bargain with.

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What is wrong with the present ties that have lasted for half a century?

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"for both sides to be able to firmly say what needs to be said, and increase the relationship of trust.”

Hmmm... well, sorry Mr. Hatoyama, but stating that you cannot decide on something until May of 2010 that was actually decided quite some time ago doesn't seem very FIRM to me; and forget about the fact that you promised heaps of things you cannot carry out. In other words, Hatoyama's message is, "be firm about being indecisive".

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say what needs to be said

OK, you go first Mr. Prime Minister. What needs to be said?

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Mandatory draft for Japanese, South Korean style, sound good?

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Wow either Japan has nukes ready any second or China and North Korea are going to be extremely happy.

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If only he had a clue

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equal - hahahahaha - the man cannot commit to that which has already been committed to....hahahahaha equal my foot. every day hatoyama gives me the pleasure of a belly laugh.

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To Some14some:

"What is wrong with the present ties that have lasted for half a century?"

You don't know? I guess you will have to wait for the second half of 2010, just like everyone else.

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I agree with the Prime Minister. Of course the equal trade that may come from this will help the US and the reduction of cost when we pull our troops out will save us money to. Time for the "equal" relationship to begin.

Of course I bet that before any such deal is done he is gone form office and a new Prime Minister replace him that will continue to see the value of a positive, if not imbalanced relationship, (trade pluses for Japan and Defense pluses for the USA) will continue to keep the wa 和, or was it 倭, between the two countries.

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I am curious to know of any country that has an 'equal' relationship with the US...equality is seen through the prism of what the US considers to be in its own interests - nothing more...

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What PM was saying is "Equal Justice for both citizens and US service men."Some service men committed serious crimes however some are still free as birds. Some got a minor punishment". It was because of their privilege and biased policies from both authorities. If a civilian resident or citizen committed the similar crime, there will be a different stories.

Southern islanders are fed up as second class citizens in their own land. They wanted the equal status, equal rights and equal justices. They wanted mainlanders to share their burden and pain. The time is up now.

Genuine friendship means sharing the reward and punishment together," If not it can be called as fair weather friend.

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zenpun

ahh, I dont think what you have in mind is what hatoyama is dreaming about, it wud only be a small part of the big picture. But honestly I dont think any of us cud nail what is going on in his mind, in any case it wud change daily most likely so..........

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he wants the alliance between the two countries to become more open.

Right, and people in heck want ice water, too. Perhaps his mommy can buy him a clue.

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The Okinawans seem to be laboring under the mistaken belief that once the Americans leave they will be "equal" to the Japanese living on the four main islands; I don't see this happening. I actually believe things will even get worse for them afterwards.

When the American bases leave a rather large section of the economy will go with them, as well as any political strength they enjoy now. If the bases were to leave Okinawa, they would find themselves "equal" to the other Japanese prefectures and discover that "equal" does not always mean an improvement in their situation.

Tokyo has enjoyed using the issue of bases in Okinawa for many years as a trump card when dealing with the US and I highly doubt that they will want to play out their hand while the economy is already under a great deal of strain. Also, even the most strident among the anti Americans must acknowledge that having the Americans doing all the heavy work (and defense spending) is a tremendous cost savings to the Japanese.

US Defense: $680 Billion. Japan Defense: $50.8 Billion

If the Japanese desire to be "equal", they should be prepared to pony up.

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He said it is important “for both sides to be able to firmly say what needs to be said, and increase the relationship of trust.”

Prime Minister Hatoyama, please don't be so openly hypocritical. Trust begins by implementing mutually agreed to, signed, codified, bilateral agreements. When one side reneges on these agreemetns, trust in that bilateral partner decreases.....is that what you were referring to above - that it is your administration's fault that we have this problem of lack of trust between the US and Japan?

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Prime Minister Hatoyama, please don't be so openly hypocritical. Trust begins by implementing mutually agreed to, signed, codified, bilateral agreements. When one side reneges on these agreemetns, trust in that bilateral partner decreases.....is that what you were referring to above - that it is your administration's fault that we have this problem of lack of trust between the US and Japan?

I answer on bhealf of our bafoon premier: Any perceived trust that was formed between LDP Japan and the US is merely a status quo where Japan is the perpetual bitch, safe to say it's not worth preserving.

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When half of Japan's economy relies on exports to the US, it is very hard to be "equal." Given those circumstances, Japan is actually quite lucky to be able to practice their protectionist policies regarding imports from other countries including the US.

If anything the current US-Japan relations are far more in Japan's favor than they should be.

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Japan is the perpetual bitch

the reason for this might be the fact that japan started a war, and lost...maybe ?

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Akagami, good post.

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"US Defense: $680 Billion....."

It's much higher - Prof. Chalmers Johnson's Trilogy.

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Alot of it is based on credit.

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Haha. Equal ties. Should've thought about that before starting a war.

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Don't ask me what this means.

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Interesting....The U.S. economy would cease to function if Japan pulled the plug on purchases of U.S. government bonds.

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Akagami - "US Defense: $680 Billion. Japan Defense: $50.8 Billion If the Japanese desire to be "equal", they should be prepared to pony up."

That is a ludicrous comparison to make. Apples and oranges.

Japan does not have expensive military bases scattered around the world nor is Japan fighting 2 stupidly expensive wars.

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Akagami - "Also, even the most strident among the anti Americans must acknowledge that having the Americans doing all the heavy work (and defense spending) is a tremendous cost savings to the Japanese."

That's one way of framing it.

Another more realistic explanation is that Japan is - very cleverly - taking America for a ride.

Japan purchases off-the-shelf defence products from the States without having to shoulder the huge R&D costs.

Japan also gets a defence umbrella courtesy of the USA, a former enemy.

Even the most deluded pro-Americans will have to admit that Japan is treating America like a poodle on a leash.

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Even the most deluded pro-Americans will have to admit that Japan is treating America like a poodle on a leash.

Exactly, the poodle is very happy. If you want a poodle you must clean up the poop and allow it to bark. In exchange the loyal poodle guards your family and keeps you safe.

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nor is Japan fighting 2 stupidly expensive wars.

680 billion a year with no war option, wars sold separately.

Times are tough in Japan, as elsewhere, but Japanese pride is hurt, Japan is turning nationalistic, its the folly of their way...

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Hatoyama wants equal ties with U.S.? fine, it means Fujifilm = Kodak, will it be acceptable to Japan?

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What many Japanese dont seem to realize is that if the US were to leave & the level were to drop by a large margin that Jpns SDF wud need to be expanded, they wud occupy many/most of any bases the US wud vacate, they wud need to spend a lot of yen to do that.

And if that were to ever happen you can bet China, Korea & NKorea will start screaming & look to beef up their militaries which Japan wud then have to as well & ...........you end up with a nasty situation. I wudnt want to be here if it heads in that direction

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The lesson for future generations is: When it looks like a squadron of zeros and bombers to attack, it is. Sound General Quarters. Don't F around contacting Washington or anyone else: YOUR A$$ IS UNDER ATTACK!

If you start wars you can't win, then be prepared for what is thrown at you.

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GW, you are so wrong. With the removal of the American bases China can relax a bit. There would be less of a threat to their security. If Japan would boost their self defense force a bit it would be nothing in comparison to the threat the American forces in Japan could represent. I do not see why Japan should increase spending, China does not spend much more and has a lot more territory to defend.

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frankly,no country in the world has equal tie with the usa (the most poweful country). look at what they did in UN when usa wanted to attack a weak country !

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Clearly in this case proved that people pay for the mistakes he made before. Suppose JP didn’t intrude China, Chinese communist was already terminated before grew up. There would be only a democratic China, thereafter the US would not stay in JP today. Suppose the US was not misled to believe Chinese communist was “ land revolutionist” and walk away from China to let war worn-out ROC to fight communist, China and Russia, alone and finally failed, There won’t be so much troubles the US need to face today

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yeah whatever Hatoyama, the US is now waving "hello" as they fly over Japan on their was to the new mistress, China Should have done this 20 years when Japan had some bargaining power

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Comments about Japan having "lost the war" are pretty stupid. The occupation ended ages ago. If Japan really wants an equal relationship then they need to trash article 9 and start helping out in afghanistan and I don't mean refueling and humanitarian missions. Probably the best thing that could happen to the SDF in terms of training.

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It's actually Japan that has snuggled up closer to China. We still have the huge ideological and strategic gap with China despite all the junk we import.

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"trash article 9...."

I don't think so. Trashing Article 9 would be like trashing the US Bill of Rights - both are integral parts and it is up to the people to decide, not outsiders. First thing the SDF needs is to secure the borders of Japan, the US personnel should be shipped out to any missions. Once the US Bases are cleared for Afghanistan, then the move for the SDF should be discussed. Economic concerns are a different issue. I have been given unusual signals here.

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OssanAmerica

If Japan really wants an equal relationship then they need to trash article 9 and start helping out in afghanistan and I don't mean refueling and humanitarian missions. Probably the best thing that could happen to the SDF in terms of training.

Afghanistan government is so corrupted with US and allies expenses. They are treating US as a Goose who can lay the golden egg everyday! The possibility is there will be another nightmare scenario like Russia who invaded the Afghan before. They got humiliated and bankrupted in after Afghan war. Current administration is having a good time with charity money for their self interests. US ambassador has warned the president about the dark side of current administration. They wanted the war to prolong because they got free lunch, weapons and training.

Instead of spending money for corrupted and unreliable people, Japan needs to support the needy and vulnerable civilians.

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Yuri, you are sorely mistaken. China has a very long memory, and I guarantee you if Japan asks the US to leave and decides to "buddy" up with China, you'll be taking Chinese classes in no time, as China will agree to "help" ensure Japan's security by occupying the very bases the US would leave behind. As Forest Gump once said "Stupid is as Stupid does!"

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China is no threat... their military is defensive in nature.. China would have a hard time attacking Taiwan, they couldn't do much when they invaded North Vietnam and when the US was kicked out of the PI, the Chinese never attacked them and that was over 20 yrs ago.. aw

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aw, did Taiwan ever invade China?

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how can anyone be the equal of America?

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"trash article 9...."

I don't think so. Trashing Article 9 would be like trashing the US Bill of Rights - both are integral parts and it is up to the people to decide, not outsiders. First thing the SDF needs is to secure the borders of Japan, the US personnel should be shipped out to any missions.

Haha! apec states that it is up to the Japanese to decide, then goes on to say what the Japanese should do first.. ha ha ha! aw

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I do hope you all realize that my comment to "trash article 9" meant that the Japanese people and govt themselves should do so. I don't see how outside countries can force this.

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OssanAmerica We Americans have proven to be incompetent in all we do,I don't think it'S wise for any country to follow us in Irac as those countries have realized or afganistan as you have been suggesting for the Japanese SDF. America should have article 9!

It's trickery to suggest it's a good Idea for SDF to follow these useless missions, as the former American president did to the nation. ALPHAWOLF is right:..If we pull everyone into our mess hole there would not be anywhere to run too (Like Japan) when our county falls flat. I don't see any terrorist trying to attack Japan or a plane of Japanese.I feel unsafe on a plane to America with Americans now.All this beacuse of the many brilliant Ideas we have come up with.

If each country just took care of their business and leave the other to do the same and only help if ask too then we would not be in this mess.

U.S. worn the Japanese then had their presence there to keep control, the people are peaceful and after so long they can still hear the US planes flying over them,the same sound of war,tormenting them they can't even hear their friends and family talking to them on the phone. The people are being oppressed only for the US gains.

There should be a relationship of friendship equal gains not a relationship by force.Allow people to be friends don't force them too. The President of the country is saying they would want more equal ties,that says it all.50/50 is ok if we are friends they may choose later to give 60/40 in another pie that we would only get 0%

Is there any foreign county's Miliatry base on US soil? If there is one is it not right that the people of the US or US president to decide if they want it or not?

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