Japan defense white paper warns of enhanced North Korea threats

Instead of this continual panic, Abe and crew should be in Pyongyang, listening, talking and negotiating. The American way is to back someone into a corner. It doesn't work. Japan should not try to imitate this. Negotiations were working right up until Bush decided that NK was part of the "Axis of Evil." Then it all went down hill.

Pyongyang has made it clear they don't want to talk, and even if they did, their nuclear and missile development program is "not negotiable". This contrasts with the two previous Kim regimes which, even if they could not be held to keep their word, were at least open to negotiating. Japan absolutely should acquire preemptive strike capability. It's mere existence alone may irritate China enough to make them clap down on North Korea.

Straight out of the "Nacionalism 101". What, just what is next? Training targets looking like Korean soldiers? Or citizens?

Like previous Kim incumbents, you can bet your bottom dollar/yen that negotiation channels are still being kept open, despite all the bluster. Pyongyang has a habit of sending out mixed messages over the years. One section says this, another that.

Those clamouring for conflict should enlist if that's what they're looking for.

Will those clamoring for "talks" be willing to take the responsibility if NK can not be stopped and it leads to military conflict? No, didn't think so. It's easy to advocate military action from the safety of behind the keyboard. But it's even easier to advocate negotiation with a party that won't negotiate from the safety of that same keyboard.

Japan did not go far enough in its report. It did not provide a list of clandestine facilities where North Korea has built and outfitted its arsenal. The report ignores North Korea's goals which were established in the 1950s, the planning that occurred in the 1960s, development of its clandestine facilities in the 1970s and their operation beginning in the mid-1980s. It ignores the fact that, while antiquated in many ways, North Korea's present technological base remains far more advanced than the 1930s technology used by the US to build its weapon; the pinnacle of the Industrial Revolution. Lastly, those clamoring for talks do not know their history, the US, South Korea, Japan and their allies have been trying to talk to North Korea since the ceasefire of the Korean War. North Korea does not want talk. Its position is clear, it wants independence for all Koreans and the right to exist in Northeast Asia without being a pawn in one of the four power's chessboard; China, Japan, Russia or the US. It wants Koreans; even those in China, to be allowed to rejoin the "tribe"

You make North Korea sound just like Poland pre-WW, Dwight Rider. I like it.

Onodera should learn the meaning of threatening before using it.

Let's hear from a proven expert:

“The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger.

  “It works the same way in any country.”

  — Nazi mastermind Hermann Goering (1946)

And who says Japan doesn't have nuclear weapons like Israel?

Kim?

William Bjornson, Aloha, OregonToday  12:57 am JST

Let's hear from a proven expert:

“The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger.

  “It works the same way in any country.”

  — Nazi mastermind Hermann Goering (1946)

Very True. Which is why North Korea has ingrained their people that they are still at "War" with the United States for 66 years.

What puzzles me is why someone hasn't taken out this "creep" running North Korea!

"It is conceivable that North Korea's nuclear weapons program has already considerably advanced and it is possible that North Korea has already achieved the miniaturisation (sic) of nuclear weapons and has acquired nuclear warheads," the Defense Ministry said."

Too late. President Trump has confirmed today that NK has achieved this step. It only needs to test the re-entry protection system so that the head does not self-destruct.

What would happen if the military preemptive option were placed on the ballot for the Japanese and American voters to choose?

The fact that a poverty stricken and (supposedly) isolated country like NK can both develop nukes and ICBMs is extremely suspicious. There is really only 1 answer: They've got helps. And if you look around, a lot of countries could benefit from it.

NK would never use the nuke unless someone tries a regime change to end the family's reign, so its really not a pressing threat.

canadianbentoToday 02:46 am JSTWhat puzzles me is why someone hasn't taken out this "creep" running North Korea!

Because for 66 years there has been an unspoken understanding that NK under the Kim regime would remain under China's control. After all, without China's intervention NK would have ceased to exist in the Korean War. Problem now is that this Kim Jong Un, unlike his father and grandfather has not even visited China to pay his respects since taking power. China wants NK to exist as a buffer, and frankly I wouldn't be surprised if they had been toying with the idea of putting Kim Jong Nam on the throne. Causing Kim Jong In to have him assassinated in Malaysia.

Abe needs to stays away from what Trump says about N Korea. Try to invite Kim to Japan to. show how Japanese people live. Hoabout sturnt exchangprogram

I bet he doesn't know S Korea hates Japan.