politics

Japan defense chief looks to boost defense capabilities 'drastically'

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Pooh bear is not going to be too pleased with Poo tin as his insane actions have rattled governments around the world and especially China’s neighbours to increase their defence budget and boost their military defences. Not what Pooh wanted as it makes his imperialist plans all the more difficult.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Good idea. Being prepared for an attack will make the attacker think twice.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Taiwan would have to be recognized to be a country of its own by Japan and Japan's allies to justify "paying the price" of a strike.

Which i think is a pipe dream that Japan would attack China anyway.

Defending either Taiwan or South Korea from attack will of necessity involve US bases in Japan. That makes them natural targets for China to attack. This is how Japan becomes involved in a war with China. She would not be alone however as there would be the US and other allies fighting alongside.

Taiwan is not going to declare independence nor would they allow another nation to call them an independent nation. Part of that of course is a desire not to change the status quo and draw an attack from the mainland. But, the Republic of China is the government founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen in 1911 after the defeat of the Qing Dynasty. It is the first republic of China. They consider themselves to be in exile on Taiwan for now, but look to a future where they will again be he government of all of China. That sounds fanciful today but in the fulness of time, and considering the trajectory of China with her demographic decline and the increasingly repressive policies of the CCP, I think it is possible that the government on Taiwan outlives the CCP. With well armed allies behind her I can see situations where the Republic of China government on Taiwan outlives the CCP. In fact I think it is highly likely but will take decades and patience.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Japan has seen, as the world has, that superpowers wield not just nuclear weapons, but an ability to deter others from stopping them when they decide to invade sovereign nations. Smaller mid power nations need to have a greater ability to defend themselves, by being able to inflict enough damage and losses to any potential aggressor that it becomes less desirable to attack, and indeed is sufficient deterrent with a high cost to the invader.

Having a number of reliable allies that also have such ability may be enough to stop invasions like Russia is doing to Ukraine today. Sadly Ukraine had no allies to rely upon, and their lack of long range weaponry to deter Russian aggression was nil.

Smaller military's around the world are waking up to a greater need for self sufficiency in defense and that nuclear powers cant necessarily be trusted to not have desires of empire.

Japan will increase spending but in that it must also increase capacity and seek more allies. This means rewriting article 9 to suit the current world climate of increasing belligerence of autocracies.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Good idea. Being prepared for an attack will make the attacker think twice.

Or will just attack harder and more brutally...

How many times has Switzerland been attacked in the last 100 years despite being smack in the middle of a mass of countries whose entire history has been NOTHING BUT WAR? So, who to emulate? The compulsive bully, the prostrate victim (often the original bully), or the civilized neutral observer who protects their citizens from the harm created by its own internal psychopaths? Hmmm...tough one, no?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Ah. The younger brother of Abe, following the party line. With an unmeasured level of corruption.

The ability of troops, stationed in Japan, to respond to an attack on Taiwan is not just limited but, completely incapable of responding in a timely manner let alone able to repel or prevent an assault. The concept is ludicrous.

China will eventually absorb Taiwan through economic means - no need to employ a military assault on the island. Already the two are so intertwined economically, as to be inseparable. One profits the other.

As for North Korea, their military is fit for the mid-20th century. The army would literally 'run out of gas'. Their weaponry is antiquated and obsolete. In fact, they lack resources to power their army. Why would they launch missiles at Japan? What is the military strategy behind that, a desire to be wiped off the face of he earth? They have no navy or air force of note and are essentially an ill-equipped land army.

As for China following a strategy similar to Russia's invasion of he Ukraine. Who in the Chinese government espouses that model? The Russian invasion of the Ukraine is not succeeding as expected and is indeed, at the moment, a fiasco. Plus, the determinants are not similar. Taiwan offers no military threat to China. Taiwan is not going to join NATO or acquire nuclear weapons.

What is wrong with the individuals in the central government who are clamoring to militarize Japan? Do they suffer from delusions? Some odd psychopathology. Feelings of inadequacy? Bad toilet training? Oedipal issues? Are they simply crazy?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Please consider carefully.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@ Kyo wa heiwa dayo ne When China takes back Taiwan which it undoubtedly will - the USA will supply weapons but don't be surprised if USA military doesn't defend Taiwan otherwise.

Keep dreaming!!! That will NEVER HAPPEN! China will not be stupid and follow Russia's invasion of Taiwan. Russia had China and the rest of its allies fooled. They were not battle hardened nor is CHINA. Half the crap both countries make DOES NOT WORK. What you are seeing is the military equipment from Europe and the West destroying anything and everything Russia puts in the skies and on the ground!! Let me say this Japan has already SPENT THE MONEY, what they are asking for is future money. Japan has already received and is watching the skies above them 24/7 with US made drones. They don't have to leave the country to peek inside NK, SK, China or Russia. Now back to China, they don't want to make a Russian mistake, they bark just like Russia the question is can they defend, I don't care how many men army you have are they battle tested. You don't invade a country today because if you do your infantry men go back in body bags quickly this is why Russia is bombarding from the sea and when they can the air. They don't control the air. The US showed Iraq SHOCK and AWE Russia tried it but is getting mopped up. China is sitting back watching and their tune has changed because they now know the world will not stand for one country trying to bull another.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Yesterday the article was referencing’offense capabilities’ but now it is defense?

Which is it?

Is Japan in the process of becoming a military state like so many in Asia?

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

More Japanese chest thumping. You're not impressing anyone, Japan.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Japan doesn't do drastic well.

Flip flop, back step, side step, dithering in circles isn't a linear thought pattern of critical thinking.

When China takes back Taiwan which it undoubtedly will - the USA will supply weapons but don't be surprised if USA military doesn't defend Taiwan otherwise.

If Japan's military gets too agressive then history will repeat itself.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Taiwan would have to be recognized to be a country of its own by Japan and Japan's allies to justify "paying the price" of a strike.

Which i think is a pipe dream that Japan would attack China anyway.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

*Anyway, as the Kishi, Abe-bloodline and the 1930s loving-far-righter nutters are not likely to not make use of the current crisis and tensions, don't expect this topic to disappear any time soon...*

(Also, add the fact that these old geezers are closer to the grave than the cradle, it's essentially their last chance at it...)

Actually its not their last chance as they have their own descendants and associates who they are/have been grooming, and as we know the whole LDP itself was founded with CIA money through stooges such as Kishi Nobuske...the LDP will continue these policies regardless of who is at the top or in the shadows.

-11 ( +4 / -15 )

All Japan really needs are a bunch of Obachans' to deter any threat.

-14 ( +3 / -17 )

He’s right.

Print more money, raise sales tax to 15.5%, raise retirement age to 75, end school lunches, and import a million technical interns.

with all that extra cash, we can double the amount we pay the USA military and buy up to a trillion dollars of advanced US weapons.

as Abe’s brother, he can soon become next PM.

-15 ( +3 / -18 )

Japan defense chief looks to boost defense capabilities 'drastically'

Of course he does. The dishonest rebranding of Ministry of War and Department of War to the euphemistic defence/defense was one of the most ghoulish sleights of hand in the 20th century.

-16 ( +1 / -17 )

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