Japan's unease over U.S. alliance adds fuel to Abe's security shift

The United States takes no position on the sovereignty of the islands in the East China Sea but recognizes they are administered by Japan and are covered by the security treaty, which obligates Washington to defend its ally.

American position doesn't make sense. Japan can't trust the US, it's obvious. The US are more interested in their economic ties with China.

“Washington routinely seeks to reassure Tokyo that the six-decade-old alliance is firm. … Despite such assurances and President Barack Obama’s decision to strategically rebalance U.S. forces to the Asia-Pacific, Tokyo still worries whether Washington can maintain the will and wherewithal to defend Japan.”

It makes lots of senses for Japan to stop fooling itself with a misguided belief on the security treaty and thus think its survival ahead as well as its long-term strategic planning if the US changes its mind.

It’s better safe than sorry.

The US are more interested in their economic ties with China.

That's an argument taken u by many chibots who dare to not understand economy. Do you know what are two countries that support the core of foreign holdings of US? That's China and Japan. It's not that China is owerwhelming Japan - it's about the same amount of money.

This fact puts any China>Japan influence on US economy chibot statment to dust,

The US wants to avoid a game of "chicken" with China that could lead to a war.

Good Japan should stand on its own two feet. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Absolutely nothing wrong with Japan trying to build up something on its own. If I relied on my neighbor to take care of me when the going gets tough I would be in a world of hurt. Little more money and a more realistic outlook on this is a good step for Japan.

Japan has even begun studying whether to boost its limited ability to make a pre-emptive strike on enemy bases, although such a costly and controversial step seems unlikely soon

Japan is preparing to remake a pearl harbour version II with limited surgical strikes over unfriendly and hostile neighbours.

Neighbours will not dare to respond Japan experiment because Japan is protected by US.

Hm, so they acknowledge that if they keep on this "retro" pad they may lose the US support?

Obama does not speak for me. We are all more than "disappointed" by that leftist fool we have for President. ... “America said it was ‘disappointed’ but rather than being so sensitive about China’s feelings, they should be sensitive about the feelings of their ally,Japan,” said Abe aide and ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker Seiichi Eto. “We were the ones who were ‘disappointed’.”

Japan's strategy is to use the US to the maximum, then ditch them at the right moment when they're not useful anymore.

Americans should not wish for something that may come true. They may not like what a runaway Japan looks like in the future. NHK couple of days ago even claimed that Japan never committed any war crimes, it was America fabricating all this trying to cover up American war crimes.

Do you really want a country like this to challenge the American military in the Pacific in the future?

"Tokyo War Crimes Fabricated by America": NHK official

http://www.news.com.au/world/japans-rising-worrisome-rhetoric-denying-its-world-war-ii-crimes-has-china-and-the-west-worried-about-its-new-ultranationalism/story-fndir2ev-1226822379758

Obama does not speak for me. We are all more than "disappointed" by that leftist fool we have for President. ... “America said it was ‘disappointed’ but rather than being so sensitive about China’s feelings, they should be sensitive about the feelings of their ally,Japan,” said Abe aide and ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker Seiichi Eto. “We were the ones who were ‘disappointed’.”

That's hilarious... since Obama is essentially right-wing, and the only country that wants to start a war with China is the US and its military-industrial complex.

So Abe and his right wing cohorts don't believe that the U.S. will live up to its military commitment to defend Japan but are willing to waste the taxpayer's money and destroy a beautiful ocean spot to build the U.S. Marines a new facility on Okinawa.

It'll be interesting to watch the comments on this board from the folks who regularly say three things:

Japan is nothing more than a lapdog of the USA Japan standing on its own two feet is tantamount to resurrecting the IJA and its intentions in the 1930s Japan should realise that the USA will never defend Japan

I'm not a natural Abe supporter but any leader, whether DPJ or LDP, needs to anticipate worst-case scenarios and take care of the country's security with contingency plans.

Regardless of the US position, Japan should be able to and willing to defend itself, every country should be prepared for defence of its borders without the reliance on some one else honouring a contract. We have all seen how much contracts are valued in this day and age. They are worth as bout as much as a roll of toilet paper.

Japan has even begun studying whether to boost its limited ability to make a pre-emptive strike on enemy bases, although such a costly and controversial step seems unlikely soon.

The reporter should disclose who said this,unless it is just a fabrication.

Besides strengthening its own capabilities, Japan is seeking closer security ties with Southeast Asia, India, Australia and even Russia as a hedge against any U.S. decline.

This is very surprising news if tre. Japan seeks closer economic, political and cultural ties with those nations, but "security" ties? I would rather bet the report is untrue.

Japan should be able to deter any aggression. Same for US. China as well. Each strong so that everyone can concentrate on creating wealth for their people Peace through strength. Let us all live in peace. Abe San cares which is a good thing.

Japan should have the same military capabilities as any other country but the Japanese taxpayers should not have to support 2 militaries. The Host Nation support for U.S. bases should be cut drastically and that money should be applied to the JSDF. Also the Japanese Government needs to tell the people who their enemies are and countries designated as being an enemy should receive no ODA, no technology transfers and no Japanese factories. It doesn't make sense to build up your enemy.

Well, if Abe keeps visiting Yasukuni shrine, that just may happen

US criticism on Yasukuni visit is a shoking sign that US is gradually siding with China/SKorea. Also, unnecessary dolphin hunt criticism shows that US doesn't care hurting Japan's feelings. The aritcle above is kind of suggesting as if Mr. Abe and his grandfather are to blame.

US criticism on Yasukuni visit is a shoking sign that US is gradually siding with China/SKorea.

No it's not. It's a sign that the US feels that Japan should act more responsibly, so as to create a better environment in the region.

Also, unnecessary dolphin hunt criticism shows that US doesn't care hurting Japan's feelings.

As they shouldn't (and I don't actually even disagree with the whaling or dolphining). The US doesn't need to blindly follow Japan in order to support them, nor does not blindly following Japan mean that they support China/Korea.

There is no way that US is siding with China; US wants to start a war with China to feed their military-industrial complex. However US wishes that Japan and S.Korea would get along to contain China, but S.Korea is already shifting towards China now.

I'm starting to think that the US is deliberately feeding the far-rightists in Japan to encourage Japan to start a war with China, so that the US can swoop in and save the day while looking all innocent that the bad, bad unrepenting Japan is causing regional instability with their, big, bad, Communist neighbor that is China.

Good. Or, well, I wish it were so.

Japan has long abused the US commitment to ANPO. Were I in the position to do so, I would do my level best to create insecurity within Japan regarding that US commitment.

Perhaps then, Japan would be less odious. And more responsible.

Visiting the shrine is not acting irresponsibly. Praying for the souls is a ritual that the state has to do. It's their responsiblity. If you think not visiting is easy thing to do, you should try in your country. You'll see it's not easy.

There is no way that US is siding with China; US wants to start a war with China to feed their military-industrial complex. However US wishes that Japan and S.Korea would get along to contain China, but S.Korea is already shifting towards China now.

I'm starting to think that the US is deliberately feeding the far-rightists in Japan to encourage Japan to start a war with China, so that the US can swoop in and save the day while looking all innocent that the bad, bad unrepenting Japan is causing regional instability with their, big, bad, Communist neighbor that is China.

What?!? Where do you get that SK would ever buddy up with China?

China complains about Japan being a danger in the area because of their recent 'build up' yet it is China that is being the bully in the area causing Japan to worry about its defense. China can't be that dumb, can they?

Visiting the shrine is not acting irresponsibly.

Praying for the souls of war criminals shows disrespect to the people who were the victims of those war criminals. Acting responsibly means acting towards peace. Acting irresponsibly is acting towards war. Praying for the souls of war criminals is acting towards war, and therefore acting irresponsibly.

If you think not visiting is easy thing to do, you should try in your country. You'll see it's not easy.

Once again the Japanese have to try to justify their actions by saying 'well you do it too'.

What?!? Where do you get that SK would ever buddy up with China?

Uh, it's already happening under their current president. She is pro-China.

Look, we all know that the US is a declining empire. Some speculate that the US economy will collapse next year. Europe is also declining. The only players left in the world will be, China and Japan. That's just the way it is. It would do the world a great favor if China and Japan got along together, and it would create a new world order that would bring global stability. But that can't happen when the US in the middle is so eager to start a war with China.

Shrine visit is not acting toward war. Japan has been visiting the shrine for centuries. Strangerland, you are using exactly the same rhetoric as ChinaSkoreas'.

There is an old adage saying " If you want peace, then prepare for war". The US always assures Japan that they will defend them and protect them in an event of war with China, but America's body language are saying it differently. Abe knows it, and he had to go to Russia just to appease Putin. It is about time that Japan to rebuilt itself as a respected Global Power , and if he has no ally to rely in the event of an attack from China, then at least China should have a second thought that a repeat of Nanking massacre would happen again if they act foolishly.

“The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts.” (Proverbs 14:8 TLB)

I agree that Japan can not depend on the US, as we have seen US always has words about China, never too harsh, and takes no action. We seen it with the Philippines and the South China sea. Now CHina is patrolling right off Philippines shores and Philippine fisherman donot have the territory to fish as they once did. What has the US done in this case...... NOTHING!

Should Japan think the US will stand up against China when our politicians here in the US, might as well say are bribed by the US corporations in China making billions and feeding these politicians billions in campaign contributions and perks??

We have already seen US back down from China so why would Japan even begin to think they could count on the US! Especially Obama, but then again all the paid off politicians in the US.

But... I am not too sure about putting any faith in Russia... they are the ones that has armed China to the max before China's copying and developing their own weapons and weapons systems.

If anything Japan would be best to acquire or manufacture a weapon that would bring complete devastation to China if China would ever dare to take action against Japan, since it seems China will never let go of having the sht kicked out of them during the war.. and keeping the Chinese controlled public hating Japan.

I support Japan totally on changing article 9 and developing a military capable in matching China's most powerful weapons and beyond! Why should only the totalitarian ran countries have such weapons and the democratic countries be sitting ducks to their mercy, and also to the mercy of the US that would or would not come to their assistance, and today know on is sure of that and I as an American looking at our politicians and Washington, I have my doubts about them myself! They sold out our country out of greed, why would they have a second thought about selling Japan out... hmmm after selling Philippines out already, but I guess there was some irritant when Philippines kicked us out.

Stand up for yourselves Japan, depend on no one totally!

Shrine visit is not acting toward war.

Praying for the souls of war criminals is only going to antagonize the people who were the victims of those war criminals. Antagonizing those people is going to increase the odds of war. Therefore visiting the shrine is acting towards war.

Japan has been visiting the shrine for centuries.

Then they shouldn't have interned the souls of the war criminals there. And when they did, the representatives of the state should have stopped going. No one made them intern the souls there, and no one is making the politicians go. So when things go wrong because the politicians are going, the politicians have only themselves to blame.

Strangerland, you are using exactly the same rhetoric as ChinaSkoreas'.

It's not rhetoric, it's fact.

Therefore visiting the shrine is acting towards war

It's not a fact, it's your perception and logic.

It's not a fact, it's your perception and logic.

It's the perception and logic of a lot of people on this world, not just me. In fact, it's the official perception of three major governments in the world, the US, China and South Korea.

Japan can try to act stupid and pretend that it's something else all it wants, but it's pretty obvious that none of these three countries, as well as countless others in the world, are judging Japan based on its actions, not its words. And the longer Japan fails to realize that they aren't pulling the wool over anyone's eyes, the longer the current 'dispute' will continue, and the more likely it will be to come to war.

Abe wants to fulfill his grandfather’s goal of revising the U.S.-drafted constitution, which conservatives say restricts Japan’s ability to defend itself. Shorter-term, he hopes to loosen the constitution’s constraints by re-interpreting it.

Abe grandfather goal was Japan to become more assertive and unapologetic. He has never trusted US because he lost the job and imprisoned because of US. Now Abe is revenging US for being cruel to his beloved grandpa.

His grandpa dislike US - Japan security treaty. Therefore Abe will provoke neighbors for testing US security commitment. However US interest is selling weapons instead of involving in direct combat unless Japan has been attacked. At the end Abe say US has betrayed Japan. Japan should make the security alliance with Russia. Russia is going to return smaller Islands for making alliance with Japan.

Kishi, a prewar cabinet minister who was jailed but never tried as a war-crimes suspect, became premier in 1957 but was forced to resign three years later after ramming the U.S.-Japan security treaty through parliament.

If Japan had a large Nuclear arsenal as a deterrent then china maybe a different animal, maybe more like a poodle or perhaps even a lap dog !

This article is absolute nonsense, no doubt written by some willing right wing scribe – perhaps an associate of the new NHK President…….

Those farther to the right than Abe – ret Gen Tamogami, Shintaro Ishihara, and the rest of the emperor worshiping far right wing nuts, while valuing the US – Japan Alliance, see it as much more of a shackle on Japan regaining a truly formidable military – so what better way to throw off the shackle than to question its credibility.

There is a kernel of truth to their belief – one of the many “unpublicized” benefits of the Alliance is that it does keep Japan from again “getting out of the box” – and thank goodness, especially when I listen to Tamogami and Ishihara talk about “defending Japan’s honor” and other litanies that could come right out of 1937.

A problem that plagues most of Asia; certainly Japan, Korea and China – is that they see all diplomatic activity as a zero sum game. If the US acts favorably towards China, then that automatically means that it is somehow lessening its relationship to Japan. When the US supports Japan, then it is “acting against” China. Its children in a sandbox, but just on an international scale…….. Much like in the Middle East, each country tries to pull the US towards their side – while the US tries to steer clear, so as not to increase tensions and reduce stability.

Regarding Yasukuni, the US was disappointed in Japan because they communicated to Abe that going to Yasukuni would significantly inflame tensions with SKorea and China – exactly at a point when all three nations need to be cooperating much more closely because of instability in NKorea – remember our new young Dear Leader just sent his uncle off to the firing squad – maybe a more serious provocation is forthcoming……. Vice President Biden told Abe, quite correctly, that going to Yasukuni at precisely this time was not in Japan’s national interest – yet he went anyway. So much for all the experts who say that Japan is the US’s lapdog……..

The clear cold facts are that if the US-Japan Alliance was not credible, Chinese forces would have already landed in the Senkakus, SKorea would have an even larger base on Takeshima, and Russia would never even think about giving back the Northern territories. The area would be in turmoil, trade would be severely impacted and natural resource and energy supplies would be disrupted. And the funny thing is, all these countries know this - irrespective of all the nationalistic posturing done for strictly domestic audiences. Ask all of them off the record if they want the US to pull up stakes and leave and they would all beg the US to stay........

As I said at the beginning, this article is nonsense.

“Japan's strategy is to use the US to the maximum, then ditch them at the right moment when they're not useful anymore.”

That would be an incorrect assumption, the alliance between the US and Japan is mutually beneficial in many aspects. I think, in short and medium terms, the ties will be maintained to a degree that the US will keep Japan safe and sound minus the American military clash in those remote rocks in East China Sea.

In the meantime, Japan may need to step out of Falkland Islands analogy which has little of relevance in today’s environment. To begin with, the players in Falkland Islands war were staggeringly different. For instance, few would seriously equateJapan to Great Britain or Argentina to China. On top of that, the US had little finical investment in Falkland Islands then, and it have gone through two very costly wars.

Food for thoughts: under the pragmatic lens, swallowing some pride to work out a peaceful solution might be a decent alterative to avoid bloodshed and increase national debts on a few of inhabited rocks.

A problem that plagues most of Asia; certainly Japan, Korea and China – is that they see all diplomatic activity as a zero sum game. If the US acts favorably towards China, then that automatically means that it is somehow lessening its relationship to Japan. When the US supports Japan, then it is “acting against” China. Its children in a sandbox, but just on an international scale

Very astute, and well observed.

Japan's unease is well warranted. Kerry's words are all hollow, and they know it.

We already know how the Americans defended their puppet leaders: Manuel Noriega of Panama, Augusta Pinochet of Chile, Sadam Hussein of Iraq, Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia, Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and most recently Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan.

Such track record does not give much confidence to those who feel obliged to suck up to the Americans. Japan is one of the few countries that the US still occupies since the last war. Now that East Asia looks increasingly unstable (thanks in no small part to Abe himself), Japan must ponder on its position of an American puppet.

Abe wants to learn from Israel: ally with the US to to promote your own ends, and take your own initiatives whether the Americans like it or not.

Despite Waqshington's request to the contrary, Abe visited Ysukuni Shrine all the same. Taking this episode as evidence, some poster says Japan is a sovereign nation standing on its own feet, not "the U.S.'s lapdog" at all. Really?

A lapdog would jump out of its master's lap if it were shown its most favorite food, a militaristic bone. In fact, the dog owner has been dangling the bone in front of him ever since 1946 when the Peace Constitution was promulgated, encouraging conservative governments to revise it or get rid of Article 9 so that Japan could exercise the right to collective defense for the U.S. military

Japan's conservative politicians have faithfully followed what the U.S. dictated to them to do as regards all military issues, believing they've won the U.S.'s whole-hearted trust in them. So when Washington said it was disappointed at Abe's Yasukuni visit, LDP lawmaker Seiichi Eto, an Abe cohort, complained: "We were the ones who were 'disappointed.' "

it's the official perception of three major governments in the world, the US, China and South Korea

Those three governments have reputation of interefering another country's business. And I don't consider South Korea major government. There're almost 200 coutries in the world.

That is partly due to the perception in Japan that U.S. power is declining longer term as China’s clout grows and the growing importance of Sino-U.S. economic ties. By Linda Sieg

It is true. The US is looking for a smooth policy shift. They can not confront China in any way as the deterrence increases rapidly. Defending Japan may lead to global annihilation, therefore US will not be able to even defend Taiwan forget about Japan. As we blog on the net, China, US and Thailand is undergoing joint military exercise.The 2014 exercise, set to open on Tuesday in Thailand's Phitsanulok, will involve forces from eight countries including Thailand, the United States, Indonesia and the Republic of Korea reports the Xinhua News, the official mouth peice of PRC . Its a double standard

@ Abe wants to learn from Israel: ally with the US to to promote your own ends, and take your own initiatives whether the Americans like it or not.

Stand alone and you will become undone! Don't play in the hands of the real enemy this is what they want the division once it happens China can do whatever they want!

To hell with Article Nine. Japan cannot rely on an empire in decline for its safety. Rearm but let China make the first move.

I find it interesting that some posters, whatever the issue, never fail from sticking to their stock in trade – blame the US for everything……

More Japanese vote for PM Abe than for any other PM since Koizumi and yet somehow that’s the US’s fault….

Abe immediately lurches to the right with both legislation and policy actions, infuriating SKorea and China (and damaging the tri-lateral cooperation that the US has been trying so hard to build), yet somehow that’s the US’s fault…….

Abe essentially says to President Obama and Vice President Biden “shove it” when they strongly recommend he delay any visit to Yasukuni so cooperation with SKorea and China over NKorea can continue, but that’s somehow the US’s fault…….

I fully expect to see a post next week that says Abe forgets card for wife on Valentine’s day and it’s the US’s fault…..

But these posters motivations are very transparent and easy to see – blame the US for everything and it absolves you of any responsibility for taking action on your own – it’s the “lazy way out”….. If these folks actually think that Abe and the US are deviously conniving to subvert Art 9 and Japan’s peace constitution, then they should join a like-minded civic action group, petition people to convince them of their view, protest and demonstrate to bring attention to their cause, even just plain vote in the next election……. Well, that’s all work……..so much easier to just blame the US for everything…..