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Japan warns N Korea seeking new missile, China navy active

40 Comments

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Anything to take focus off the government's inability to deal with its problems, I guess.

-7 ( +4 / -12 )

Diverting public attention has its limitations, govt should find better excuses.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

I take it Japan is not stressing that pretty much all (as far as I know) naval activities by Chinese military vessels have been in international waters, which again I believe is perfectly acceptable

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Oh, come on, nothing more constructive to say?

I, for one, wonder how Japan got it's intel on North Korea. Tough, it's probably just American information rehashed, wouldn't it be cool if it was the work on some highly secret and elite Japanese intelligence agency.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Think the info came out of the "If not abductees... what else?" file.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

NK found a new toy.

China gets all its toys out.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

wouldn't it be cool if it was the work on some highly secret and elite Japanese intelligence agency.

Nothing secret about it.

For the first time since World War II, Japan is establishing a secret foreign intelligence service to spy on China and North Korea and gather information to prevent terrorist attacks.

The spy unit has been created under the wing of Japan's peak intelligence agency, the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office, or Naicho. It is modelled on Western intelligence services such as the CIA, the Australian Secret Intelligence Service and Britain's MI6.

The existence of the new Japanese espionage capability is revealed in a leaked US diplomatic cable obtained by WikiLeaks and provided exclusively to the Herald.

Japanese military and naval intelligence, together with the infamous secret police, the Kempeitai, ran extensive spy networks throughout east and south-east Asia up to the end of World War II.

Successive postwar governments in Tokyo have been reluctant to establish a foreign espionage service for fear of diplomatic risks.

But in an October 2008 discussion with Randall Fort, the then head of the US State Department's bureau of intelligence and research, the Naicho director, Hideshi Mitani, revealed that a ''human intelligence collection capability'' was a priority.

A secret report cabled to Washington by the US embassy in Tokyo indicates that the decision was taken by the former Liberal Democratic Party government headed until September 2008 by the then prime minister Yasuo Fukuda, and his successor, Taro Aso.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Those dastardly foreigners trying everything to ruin the Utopia called Japan, with pure skies, water and people who only ever wish for peace.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

Anything to take focus off the government's inability to deal with its problems, I guess.

Agreed 100%. The entire house is on fire and may very well burn to the ground and they are out worrying about getting a patch of grass from their neighbor.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

@Skeptical Hippo; Thanks, an interesting read. Wonder how functional it is by now... probably not all that much.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Good news for defence industry companies in both US and Japan, future business prospects. Taiwan and Philippines would likely be buying soon again also.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Don't worry about North Korea's new Musudan missle. If the Northies are stupid enough to send it somewhere with high explosives or a nuclear warhead and it causes massive destruction and deaths ... then it's bye-bye Pyongyang and nuclear facilities as the U.S. and South Korea would cease these operations quite quickly ... As for China ... now that's another story. Nobody wants to tangle with these guys in a serious war. Besides ... the U.S. needs money (like in borrowing) from the Chinese to keep things running on the American mainland. And as for Japan and the Chinese navy ... Japan had better beef up its Maritime Self-Defense Forces fleet because they are going to be tested time after time ... This is an ongoing problem ... and no solution is in sight.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Hmmm - it's interesting how this news comes in at the start of August, right at the start of nationalist Season, and a day after those three bozos got the right-wing community worked up by getting thrown out of Korea. As September seems to be the month for the recent tradition of Prime Ministers quitting insurmountable opposition, it seems very convenient that a new threat like this could arrive now, just in time to prompt some tough talk from the big boys in Kasumigaseki.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Why are China and North Korea so old-fashioned? Sounds like a stupid question, but civilzed nations like South Korea, Taiwan and Japan have a right to peace.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

More ways for North Korea to try and black mail The West and Japan. NK will never launch an attack. The Dear Leader loves his donald trump lifestyle too much.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Oh, I think Japan are right, and well within their rights to keep a close eye on their neighbors. It's far better the Devil you Know, and they need to be aware of developments like this in both of those countries. That's a part of the security responsibilities the Japanese governemt has to it's citizens. And Japan, of course, aren't the only ones watching Chinese military manoeuvers very closely these days...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

"could reach as far as Guam"

It might be able to travel as far as Guam but could it actually hit Guam with any degree of accuaracy?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Nothing new the guys in these departments need to justify their paychecks. Shows they do more than drink and watch porn. So the question is can the North Koreans actually hit Guam with any sort of worthwhile payload? Like the Iranian satellite which weighted what 5 kg? Oh I am so scared...

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I am scared too! But not of the DPRK, more scared of stupid Tokyo electric and all these other fools running nuclear power plants here in Japan.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

YuriOtanil; So the question is can the North Koreans actually hit Guam with any sort of worthwhile payload? Like the Iranian satellite which weighted what 5 kg? Oh I am so scared...

I do not believe N.Korea is able to miniaturize the warhead for their missiles BUT it really doesn't need to go BOOM to kill, they can place biological or chemical into the tip and release it as aerosol to kill. Anthrax, Sarin, Tabun, VX, VM and or the less unsophisticated but still potent dirty bomb can all kill many with just 5Kg.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Japan is also concerned with China’s increasing naval activity in the waters surrounding its shores and is taking measures to bolster its coastal defenses, the report said.

The truth is that this has been going on for years. Are you telling me Japan has just noticed this? No kiddling, will ya.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I do not believe N.Korea is able to miniaturize the warhead for their missiles BUT it really doesn't need to go BOOM to kill, they can place biological or chemical into the tip and release it as aerosol to kill. Anthrax, Sarin, Tabun, VX, VM and or the less unsophisticated but still potent dirty bomb can all kill many with just 5Kg.

You are right on the nail. Most Japanese do not seem to understand this potential danger

0 ( +1 / -1 )

globalwatcher; Most Japanese do not seem to understand this potential danger

The ordinary Taro doesn't really need to understand the problem since the Ministry of Defense is more then aware. N.Korean missiles poses little threat to Japan with Ballistic Missile Defense shield covering the entire nation with it's 4 Kongo class DDG and 2 Atago class DDG on patrol 24/7 ready to shoot down any missile threats at a moment's notice. Once missiles are whacked out of the sky we leave it to the US military to finish where we left off.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

SamuraiBlue, I am so confident that the US will be able to do the job.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Does anybody seriously think that China would stand off to the side and let N. Korea start throwing missiles around? China is not a stupid country, Communist, and controlling, but not stupid. They do not want a war on their border. They do not want to get up close and personel with S. Korea, the U.S., and Japan. Relations between these countries aren't great but they are not terrible either, and we are all trading partners. You can bet China probably has a very close eye on it's neighbor. Dou you think they want any kind of conflict spilling into China or the resulting refugees from N. Korea either.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Jimney,

I'm not sure. If NK attacks Japan, the US is required to protect it. But the US currently has no money, so intervention would require borrowing more money from China.

China needs to continue feeding the war machine.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I'm not sure. If NK attacks Japan, the US is required to protect it. But the US currently has no money, so intervention would require borrowing more money from China.

China needs to continue feeding the war machine.

Well said, you are already forseeing a macro problem with China on the horizon, Heythia.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Heythia, Those stupid politicians would get the money from somewhere I guarantee it. Remember though although Japan doesn't have the largest military force they still have a military who's primary mission is to defend Japan. So if NK did do something (let's hope they are not that stupid) it would involve the U.S., S.K., and Japan all at the same time. Like I said too, I don't think China would want that, so the may just step in too and help put a collar on N.K. By way of providing financial support or military support. Also most would agree that if something did start, China would immediately send their own military to China's borders to prevent any "spillover" into China by anyone.

On the war machine comment.....my view.....all these countries that the U.S. is "helping". They have been fighting each other for centuries literally. So get out....let 'em keep killing each other over thier stupid religions. They got the main leader, made him a maryter (SP) so quit already.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Oh no, Guam. The horror.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

What the new the Ministry of Defence of Japan could tell? I can understand anxiety concerning China. However I can not understand anxiety concerning the North Korea. The North Korea in difference from the USA doesn't have means and motives for offensive war conducting. How many time Korea and China attacked Japan? I am assured that the stable North Korea with the nuclear weapon in interests of safety of Japan though it is possible sounds is paradoxical. If the North Korea is under complete control of China the Korean peninsula will cease to be the protective buffer between Japan and China. Thus, the position of Japan in relation to China will be worse, even if in Japan there will be 1000000 soldiers of the USA.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well the reason why NK wouldn't drop a biological weapon is simple. They know they'd get the same. NK never attacks in a way that it is not prepared to face the consequences for, which is why it resorts to small attacks and big words. They're not crazy like some people assume.

But oh no, not Guam. Anything but Guam. Please NK don't attack Guam it will be a killing blow to Korea, Japan, and USA from which we will never recover or be capable of counterattacking. No.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The North Korea when didn't prove necessity of the nuclear weapon for use against Japan. The North Korea always proved necessity of the nuclear weapon for restraint of aggression of the USA.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I hope you realize that Guam has a US military base. Attacking guam is comparable to pearl harbor

0 ( +0 / -0 )

No, Guam doesn't have half the US fleet and thanks to South Korea and Japan is nowhere near the significance of pearl harbor during - oh you know - that world war that was happening?

It's also fairly irrelevant considering the point is NK would face a homeland counterattack within hours, rather than years in the case of pearl harbor. Not sure why you'd think otherwise.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The problem with any attack/defense on the Korean peninsula is that NK has a huge amount of conventional weapons pointed at the South, particularly Seoul. No matter what happens, if it goes down Seoul will become a parking lot, and that would be a catastrophe.

And Japan's "missile shield" of a handful of boats is nothing compared to what the US has in the area. If attacked, the US would defend Japan and the JSDF would help out.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

the_sicilian

Not all Arleigh Burke class are capable of Ballistic Missile Defense nor that many in the immediate region at any given time. There are 6 Arleigh Burke class ships stationed in Yokosuka but only one DDG-62 USS Fitzgerald is capable. In fact the US only has 21 ships throughout the entire fleet capable of BMD at the moment.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

SamuraiBlue

Not all Arleigh Burke class are capable of Ballistic Missile Defense nor that many in the immediate region at any given time. There are 6 Arleigh Burke class ships stationed in Yokosuka but only one DDG-62 USS Fitzgerald is capable. In fact the US only has 21 ships throughout the entire fleet capable of BMD at the moment.

Sorry but you are incorrect of the 7 destroyers based at Yokosuka 4 of them are BMD capable (USS Curtis Wilbur, John.S.McCain, Fitzgerald and Stethem). In addition there is one Ticonderoga class cruiser USS Shiloh. The Japanese also have 4 BMD capable ships.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

My mistake. As for the Japanese ships, the two Atago class are scheduled to be fitted with BMD5.0.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Hard feelings of the trawler incident last year? Well get over it, that slap was really hard and awesome!! Well done China

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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