Kishida, ahead of U.S. trip, seeks stronger military ties with Washington and other partners

Japan, working to acquire what it calls a “counterstrike” capability, has purchased 400 U.S. Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles

Japan got ripped off, paying $2.35 billion for 400 Tomahawk missiles.

Poland paid $3.5 billion for 821 AGM-158B-2 air-to-surface missiles and 745 AIM-120C-8 air-to-air missiles.

https://www.barrons.com/news/us-approves-3-5-billion-in-missile-sales-to-poland-5e6fa3a6

US Approves $3.5 Billion In Missile Sales To Poland

The State Department notified Congress that it was approving sales to Poland that include 821 AGM-158B-2 air-to-surface missiles and 745 AIM-120C-8 air-to-air missiles.

How much it will cost tax payer in Japan?

Samit BasuToday 07:31 am JST

Japan, working to acquire what it calls a “counterstrike” capability, has purchased 400 U.S. Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles

Japan got ripped off, paying $2.35 billion for 400 Tomahawk missiles.

Poland paid $3.5 billion for 821 AGM-158B-2 air-to-surface missiles and 745 AIM-120C-8 air-to-air missiles.

You think that every missile is the same I guess?

Which variant of the Tomahawk did Kishida buy? Did he buy the latest or next block variant or did he buy the legacy version to help the U.S. lessen their current inventory? Buy smart, it's our tax money that these clowns are spending.

Let’s familiarise, Japan-U.S. Security Treaty….

This treaty needs to be brought into the 21st century.

The real political compass

Japan US security cooperation is essential for the future of regional stability.

However, to give some insight to how the current political climate has changed….from 2021.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/U.S.-Indo-Pacific-Strategy.pdf

Circumstances can change, I suggest will, future US administrations may well view US Japan security treaty with scepticism, interpretations, past/ present pledges/promises open to renegotiation.

The Governments of China, Russia, North Korea, even South Korea are preparing for war.

Government of China is emboldened, its open belligerence in the South China Sea, the heavily fortified mounds of sand, the incursions to trade/shipping in the Taiwan Strait, the continued threats to, open and fair-trading practices. The refusal to abide by any international rules-based laws.

Just an overview…..

Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea    

https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/territorial-disputes-south-china-sea

Japan requires a deterrent, yes, a nuclear deterrent. A means to protect its people with a military option to obliterate its enemies.

US/UK can provide assistance for present/future J Government to develop such a capability.

The present command chains contained within the current Japan US security treaty are vague, reflect a past long gone.

Please if time allows take this test….just for fun

https://www.politicalcompass.org/test

KISHIDA , the failure, wants to strengthen military and weapons development cooperation with people taxes!! WHAT A JOKE!

a human-made earthquake can destroy the entire Japan easily. US is just selling defective and useless products to Kishida for their convenience.

KISHIDA is a fraudster trying to hide his fraud and failures with groundless topics and has no authority to decide on the names of Japanese people.

“Defense industry cooperation between Japan and the United States, as well as with like-minded countries, are extremely important,” Kishida said

Yes, defense cooperation with the US is undoubtedly important for Japan, but increasingly also the "like-minded countries" part. There are many threats in the world, and the US has a lot on its plate, so Japan is wisely branching out with other countries too.

There's a reciprocal access agreement with Australia, and another being negotiated with the Philippines; a fighter program with the UK and Italy; maneuvers with various SE Asian countries and India; vastly increased ties with European nations like France and Germany; and even renewed engagement with Korea now that the anti-Japan Moon has long gone.

The possibility of a NATO liaison office was also floated, then played down by Macron. But Macron has finally woken up to reality and changed his tune lately so I'd expect this office to appear at some point.

In short, Japan is doing exactly what it needs to, quietly and efficiently.

sakurasukiToday  07:37 am JST

How much it will cost tax payer in Japan?\

Perhaps you should raise that concern once you become one.

Countries do not need deterrents, but security guarantees. To do this, politicians of large countries just need to sit down at the negotiating table and sign such a document. This document was sent to America two years ago by President Putin for consideration. The document was completely ignored. It talked a lot about how to make sure that countries would not fight each other in the future. they talked about NATO and the expansion of NATO to the east and a lot of interesting things. The document has been published and can be read and found on the Internet. Another thing is that some Western countries wanted to dominate unilaterally and that’s why you see such a global picture now.

@itsonlyrockroll

Japan has the capability to go nuclear. Allied nations would likely not object in fact may even assist. With China. NKorea and Russia all nuclear armed neighbors, objectively it would be wise for Japan to do likewise.

But Japan itself does not want the political 責任 that goes with being a nuclear power. Not to mention that a great portion of the populace still cling to the blind "war is evil so we should not arm" fallacy.

Buy smart, it's our tax money that these clowns are spending.

Taxes don’t fund government spending in countries that control and print their own currency, but I understand what you are trying to say.

Chinese and Russians big mad about this story! Good to see the democracies slowly starting to wake up.

OssanAmerica

Its my personal opinion, not a single family member, friends here agrees with my views.

The thought of J government in procession of weapons of mass destruction is a anathema.

I am fully accepted within the community I live and enjoy if I keep my politics to myself.

However, Japan is surrounded by forces that want to correct historic grievances, never wasting the opportunity to remind J people that its their duty to constantly prostrate themselves.

I was brought up England, not Japan.

I have spent time here in Kochi. also Nagoya, I wonder what the future holds, culturally we are worlds apart.

I have never felt more content though

There is a huge gap in political participation, between youth and senior family members,

What is concerning right now is US future commitment.

“Defense industry cooperation between Japan and the United States, as well as with like-minded countries, are extremely important,” Kishida said in an interview Friday with selected foreign media, including The Associated Press, at the Prime Minister's Office.

This statement makes sense on every level, unarguable.

The question is funding, equal defined future development costs, implementation, control and final use decision structure.

Look, cards on the table, I don't for a second trust the word of Joe Biden or Donald Trump for Japan present or future security treaty agreements. I don't.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is a skilled diplomat, I wonder here in Japan if his role as Prime Minster is subject to political interference?

These slush funds are an example..

nikToday 08:51 am JST

Countries do not need deterrents, but security guarantees. To do this, politicians of large countries just need to sit down at the negotiating table and sign such a document. This document was sent to America two years ago by President Putin for consideration. The document was completely ignored. It talked a lot about how to make sure that countries would not fight each other in the future. they talked about NATO and the expansion of NATO to the east and a lot of interesting things. The document has been published and can be read and found on the Internet. Another thing is that some Western countries wanted to dominate unilaterally and that’s why you see such a global picture now.

That document was placed in the proper receptacle. You come to the table with something to offer first.

itsonlyrocknrollToday 09:41 am JST

Look, cards on the table, I don't for a second trust the word of Joe Biden or Donald Trump for Japan present or future security treaty agreements. I don't.

Biden certainly doesn't look like a pacifist or beholden to foreign powers like the former guy. You should trust that the US will defend its troops on Okinawa and its ships at sea, but if that isn't enough, the nukes are always an option.

EastmanToday 10:08 am JST

ready for new warmongering?wasting of taxpayers money for unecessary overpriced US weaponry?becaus thats all about.

US weapons work as Russian targets see every night.

itsonlyrocknrollToday  09:41 am JST

Look, cards on the table, I don't for a second trust the word of Joe Biden or Donald Trump for Japan present or future security treaty agreements. I don't.

I do not see how anyone could put Biden and Trump on the same level of credibility. Trump's legacy with US alliances is threatening to leave NATO and making Japan and South Korea pay more. Oh, and openly admiring Putin and exchangingn love letters with Kim Jong Un.

Biden, since taking office has done everything possible to undo the damage that his predecessor has done with respect to our global allies.

There is no doubt that Japan needs to put more effort into it's own defense capability, and I believe we are indeed seeing that. But - the big stumbling block is Japan's domestic unwillingness (so far) to amend Article 9. I see Japan addressig the former while ignoriong the latter, most likely because it would be unpopular. But let's be honest, it is a necessity. Not just for Japan's owb security but to faacilitate it's alliances and agreements with it;s allied partners.

Maybe so, TaiwanIsNotChina.

The Government of China constantly tests the US Government resolve.

When that US nuclear umbrella folds or unfolds is the question.

The circumstances that US government is prepared to negotiate under pressure faced when the Government of China seizes disputed land/Islands

Or moves towards a restriction of globally recognised shipping/trading routes.

Those island fortifications are not just there for show.

To commit to action, when military support is spread thinly, Ukraine, Gaza raises such circumstance for Japan government to think carefully how to approach its treaty agreements

Ok fair comment, I am being disingenuous where President Joe Biden is concerned.

But my cynicism has reason, OssanAmerica, times have changed, a pandemic yet to show it full economic consequences.

Two wars seemingly unrelenting in the need for support. Politically economically.

Joe Biden second term is doubtful, there are genuinely questions over another term of office and concerns with the president's health if he is mentally able or fit to serve.

Imagine living in some impoverished area, out in the desert. Returning to your village, all that remains are broken shells of buildings that your friends and relations once inhabited.

Picking through the debris, you find the broken shrapnel of detonated weaponry, with the clear white etchings plainly visible, the lettering reads: ‘Made in Japan’

Welcome to a new war on terror, coming soon….!

itsonlyrocknrollToday 10:49 am JST

Japan will not need artillery shells and dumb bombs in a fight with China. The US Navy, Air Force, and our JASSM-ERs remain uncommitted.

The Government of China constantly tests the US Government resolve.

When that US nuclear umbrella folds or unfolds is the question.

The circumstances that US government is prepared to negotiate under pressure faced when the Government of China seizes disputed land/Islands

And when have you seen the US fold to China or walk away from treaty allies?

I think military ties are pretty strong, but ok..

itsonlyrocknrollToday  10:49 am JST

Two wars seemingly unrelenting in the need for support. Politically economically.

Joe Biden second term is doubtful, there are genuinely questions over another term of office and concerns with the president's health if he is mentally able or fit to serve.

It's nowhere near as doubtful as you think.

Sure there are many Americans who feel Biden is too old. So, we could end up with a P47 who dies in office or has to hand over the wheel to the VP. BFD. He's old but mentally fit to serve, not insane.

In contrast. there are many Americans who recognize that Trump is not fit for another term, in fact wasn't even fit for the first term. and his 4 years were a disaster in just about every respect. The US economy ws the only thing that was good, except that has nothing to do with who is in office, despite what politicians claim. Trump hasalready destroyed the Repblican party. He is capable of destroying the country and the world. And, he's not young either, although that pales before his mental state.

The envisioned change is not meant "for just one contingency," but "it's built around the security in the Indo-Pacific," he said, also touching on China's repeated incursions into Japanese waters around the Senkakus, a group of East China Sea islets controlled by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing, and clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the disputed South China Sea.

This is contrary to what we've been looking forward to about the change of USFJ''s status in Japan. To our chagrin, USFJ will upgrade its status in Japan, from mere defense forces as stipulated in the Japan-U.S.  Security Treaty to full-fledged occupation forces domineering Japanese soil as they were in the days of the pre-San Francisco Peace Treaty. Futenma's Henoko relocation work will surely be forged ahead more forcefully than today under the new arrangement.

What I find amazing is how these important decisions affecting Japanese security and international relations are made again and again without debate in the Diet. The decisions are being made in what I guess are slightly less smoke filled back rooms of LDP headquarters.

The US policy of antagonizing and vilifying anyone unwilling to yield to its globalist agenda, and then hitting on junior partners to help foot the exorbitant bill is nothing new. It's still unfortunate to see Japan so willingly get sucked into the military industrial complex's endless money pit.

AmpasToday 03:07 pm JST

The US policy of antagonizing and vilifying anyone unwilling to yield to its globalist agenda, and then hitting on junior partners to help foot the exorbitant bill is nothing new. It's still unfortunate to see Japan so willingly get sucked into the military industrial complex's endless money pit.

The US didn't start the major wars in progress now.

The US didn't start the major wars in progress now.

That's a matter of interpretation - it depends on when you believe the major war in progress now really started.

AmpasToday 05:01 pm JST

The US didn't start the major wars in progress now.

That's a matter of interpretation - it depends on when you believe the major war in progress now really started.

Yes, if you make stuff up, you can claim a lot of things like that the Chinese Civil War is still going on, the US invaded North Korea, or that the US took over Free Ukraine militarily.

... or that the US took over Free Ukraine militarily.

Remove the words 'Free' and 'militarily' there and you're getting closer to the mark. It's not a matter of making things up. It's more along the lines of choosing not to ignore inconvenient truths.

We may not agree, with current US policy, I think we can join and accept change is necessary.

Kishida should make a side trip to Florida to meet Trump, who seems increasingly likely to be reelected in November.

The U.S. and Japan are also expected to announce plans aimed at boosting the number of Japanese students studying at U.S. universities. 

That's good news, but I hope they can also find ways to boost the number of Japanese students studying at Japanese universities. The most important four years of your life -- don't waste them!

The US started wars and went home with their tails between their legs,the US is good at starting wars,but never finished,Japan will be in ruined like in World War 2 and America would limp home like they usually do

AmpasApr. 6 05:50 pm JST

... or that the US took over Free Ukraine militarily.

Remove the words 'Free' and 'militarily' there and you're getting closer to the mark. It's not a matter of making things up. It's more along the lines of choosing not to ignore inconvenient truths.

If they took it over by non-military means, its completely legal. I realize soft power is a foreign concept to the authoritarian: it basically means not acting like a scumbag.

YrralApr. 6 11:44 pm JST

The US started wars and went home with their tails between their legs,the US is good at starting wars,but never finished,Japan will be in ruined like in World War 2 and America would limp home like they usually do

Sounds like a true patriot, although the continued misuse of commas gives away that the poster is not American.

If they took it over by non-military means, its completely legal. I realize soft power is a foreign concept to the authoritarian: it basically means not acting like a scumbag.

Please read up on US involvement in Ukraine, especially in 2014. And soft power? As in 750 military bases in over 80 countries around the world? It might come as a surprise to some just how much real soft power Russia has, and more importantly just how isolated the US is becoming outside its G7/NATO junior partners (although even some of these countries are becoming increasingly frustrated).

AmpasToday 03:02 am JST

If they took it over by non-military means, its completely legal. I realize soft power is a foreign concept to the authoritarian: it basically means not acting like a scumbag.

Please read up on US involvement in Ukraine, especially in 2014.

Yup. Advisory ONLY.

And soft power? As in 750 military bases in over 80 countries around the world?

You can have military and soft power at the same time.

It might come as a surprise to some just how much real soft power Russia has, and more importantly just how isolated the US is becoming outside its G7/NATO junior partners (although even some of these countries are becoming increasingly frustrated).

41% of the world's gdp in the OECD don't like Russia. China might like them as a good boy. The ME might like them as fellow dictatorships. The rest just want the $$ from whoever will give it to them.

It might come as a surprise to some just how much real soft power Russia has

Russia has no power with the part of the world that matters.

And even the countries that work with Russia do so with distaste, and out of desperation. Anyone who can, trades with the part of the world that matters.

Yup. Advisory ONLY.

Hand picking the next president is 'advisory only'?- remember Victoria Nuland's remark "F#$@ the EU" when discussing who should be the next Ukrainian president after they engineered the downfall of Viktor Yanukovych.

You can have military and soft power at the same time.

If that military power remains within your borders, yes this is true. Spreading it around he world - not so much.

41% of the world's gdp in the OECD don't like Russia. China might like them as a good boy. The ME might like them as fellow dictatorships. The rest just want the $ from whoever will give it to them.

Such simplistic and condescending views of other nations. 80% of countries did not place economic sanctions on Russia after they entered the Donbas. Maybe these countries realize the eastern part of Ukraine is ethnically Russian. Maybe these countries see little difference between Russia entering the Donbas and the US invading Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Vietnam, etc. Maybe these countries do not like being lectured to by America on how to run their countries and who they should have as friends and enemies.