politics

N Korea warns Japan of 'imminent self-destruction'

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By Kazuhiro NOGI

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Nuclear-armed North Korea has warned Tokyo against "imminent self-destruction" for siding with Washington, as tensions soar after Pyongyang fired a missile over Japan.

So, just how and why will Japan destroy itself? - Oh! NK is threatening Japan?

Change channels. This show is boring.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Halwick,

A dazzling display of deflective response to obfuscate with other issues?

No, there's no obfuscation on my part about the issues you brought about, that is, that, if Japan didn't continue to be occupied by the U.S. forces, it would have become communist.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Again, a dazzling display of deflective response to obfuscate with other issues.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Halwick (& Just a user),

@voice, What you really mean is, "If Japan had been faithful to its post-war determination and followed a Communist path earnestly, there would have been no such intimidation as North Korea warning Japan against 'imminent self-destruction'."

You seem to forget that Japan is still under virtual U.S. occupation with most bases remaining intact since the Occupation era. Japan's post-war determination was to pursue peace and never to fight wars again. That idealism was supposed to materialize when Japan recovered its sovereignty in 1951 when the San Francisco Peace Treaty was struck. But what did the U.S. do? It forced Japan to sign a military treaty that allowed U.S. forces to remain in Japan the same as ever before. In other words, the occupation continued whereby the U.S. forces can use these bases for whatever purpose, that is, attack and invade any anti-U.S. country. If Japan allows Japan-based U.S. forces to fight wars abroad, doesn’t it mean Japan itself is fighting the wars? This is the reason why the Date lower court ruling determined the U.S. military presence violates the Japanese constitution.

You can't justify the U.S. occupation of Japan (Okinawa, in particular) by saying that, if not for the U.S. occupation, Japan would become communist. In the course of post-war history, Japan searched for a friendly and peaceful approach to any country, through the called omnidirectional diplomacy. But the U.S. meddled in and botched the whole idea. In a magazine-sponsored conference the former ambassador to Japan Edwin Reischauer intimidated then Foreign Minister Masayoshi Ohira by saying that if Japan pursued  omnidirectional diplomacy, the U.S. would invade and occupy Japan once again albeit the fact that it was already under "occupation."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

> If Japan had been faithful to its post-war determination and followed a pacifist path earnestly, there would have been no such intimidation as North Korea warning Japan against "imminent self-destruction." (voiceofokinawa)

@voice, What you really mean is, "If Japan had been faithful to its post-war determination and followed a Communist path earnestly, there would have been no such intimidation as North Korea warning Japan against 'imminent self-destruction'."

If there were a country that regards Japan as a threat against it, it may be because that country regards Japan as all part of the same gang threatening their security. (voiceofokinawa)

Your thinking is very chinese: start a huge problem with someone and then blame the victim for defending themselves. And just like china you are a waste of space. (Just a user)

@ Just a user, I would say his thinking is very communist, if not follows the Japanese Communist Party line propaganda. And like most communists, he is also very articulate at deflective arguing.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@voiceofwhatever

Unfortunately, Japan is not a pacifist country despite its pacifist constitution. 

Yes it is, there is no debate about that : is 70 years of evidence not enough for you? As for the future - Japan has the right to defend against aggressive war mongers (China, NK).

You can't pretend to say Japan's SDF are not military when in fact they are.in every respect.. 

SDF SELF DEFENCE (every respect eh?)

The Defense Ministry has requested a record 5.26 trillion yen for its FY2018 budget.

China spend much more.

If there were a country that regards Japan as a threat against it, it may be because that country regards Japan as all part of the same gang threatening their security.

Your thinking is very chinese: start a huge problem with someone and then blame the victim for defending themselves. And just like china you are a waste of space.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Just a user;

But what should a pacifist do when someone is threatening them, stand there and let it happen, let China take what it wants, do what it wants?

Unfortunately, Japan is not a pacifist country despite its pacifist constitution. The U.S. has been pressing Japan to blatantly violate it and even revise it. You can't pretend to say Japan's SDF are not military when in fact they are.in every respect.. The Defense Ministry has requested a record 5.26 trillion yen for its FY2018 budget.

It's a well-known fact that Japan's peace constitution has been gutted and lost some validity, and that at the request and urging of the U.S., which wants its military presence to be maintained here forever. The Tokyo lower court presided by Judge Akio Date ruled in 1957 that the U.S. military presence was unconstitutional, but this was rescinded by Supreme Court (Judge Kotaro Tanaka), saying defense matters such as military alliance with foreign countries are highly political ones whereby they are beyond and above the constitution. Really?

If there were a country that regards Japan as a threat against it, it may be because that country regards Japan as all part of the same gang threatening their security.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

If Japan had been faithful to its post-war determination and followed a pacifist path earnestly, there would have been no such intimidation as North Korea warning Japan against "imminent self-destruction."

That's a little unfair. Like any other country, even Japan has a right to protect itself and has been forced to by China and NK. The aggressors are to blame (China, NK) for making Asia a place where everyone now has to re-evaluate their military. Its great to be a pacifist as Japan has been and still will be if China and NK back off. But what should a pacifist do when someone is threatening them, stand there and let it happen, let China take what it wants, do what it wants? (If China thought they could get away with it I have no doubt this is what they would do)

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

At least they were kind enough to warn Japan about NK's self-destruction. Considerate, actually.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I guess the NORKS want yo be colonized by China. Beijing might not like the US or Japan but Beijing has even less interest in losing half their economy which will happen if Japan or the US are hit and China probably doesn't want the US or Japan roaming around north Korea with active militaries. so the question should be is the UN going to negotiate with China to unify Korea or will the, UN allow China to increase it's territory.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Is that NK leader really that stupid?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"Japan cannot attack other countries for the solution of international conflicts because of the constitution. But if it lets a large foreign military contingents station in Japan and lets them do whatever they want, for example, attack and invade other countries, isn't it the same thing as Japan itself is attacking? Probably, North Korea is bringing that sham to broad day light. Why should it attack another country that professes itself to be a disarmed, peaceful country?"

voiceofokinawa: Excellent points that cannot be stressed enough. I mean, a former Japanese PM (Nakasone) went so far as pledge that Japan itself would function as an "unsinkable aircraft carrier" for the United States military.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Japan in turn thanks you for the message, which it has forwarded on to its American protectors, who happen to hold the largest stockpile of nuclear arms in the world.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Recent events tends to reveal that Kim Jung Un is really a great genius that prevented NK from becoming another Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya or even a Syria.

Unfortunately and very sadly this puts the victim of 'Stockholm Syndrome ' Shinzo seemingly on the opposite side of the equation wherein he is allowing Nippon to participate in a war dance where Japan is not even supposed to be a part of the war party.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Three generations of fruitloopness is coming to the fore. When North Korea turns turtle, and that will be sooner than later if this keeps up, I will feel sorry for the garden-variety North Korean whose mind will be blown over have much they have been deceived. I would hope that besides the barking (of the mad of both sides) there are covert programmes in place to remove Kim (please, before he breeds!) and/or find someone sane in the ruling 'elite' to take over. But, nothing can happen unless China is happy.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Immanent 'self' destruction? I know little Kim thinks he is God, but how is he going to make Japan self-destruct?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Ill try and paint a picture as to why Kim can not and will not be removed.

Since the dawn of the military industrial era, merica has needed boogeymen to rachet up sales and maim thousands. Some were legit, ie fidel and some propped up ie. Pol pot, pinochet, saddam, the list is lengthy.

Kim serves the age old purpose. So there'll be alot of huffing and puffing but the status quo must remain seeing as it's a great reason for the continued presence of based in sk and Japan.

So, for the umpteenth time, absolutely nothing is going to happen.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Who writes NK's press releases? More melodrama than a Victorian penny dreadful. They need to kidnap some decent spin doctors.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

NK has a main beef with the USA ergo Korean War, Japan is minor to them.

It is the South that has issues with Japan.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

No need to take out Tokyo.

Hit Shizuoka and other manufacturing centres plus Dams and Japan will grind to a stop shortly.

NPP are messy if you want to occupy.

Most people focus on Tokyo and the Government, politicians are dime a dozen = easy replaced. Factories are not.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

they can't destroy all of Japan, only tokyo, yokohama and maybe miyazu. but if they target NPP's, then it may be possible. and the wind and sea currents go directly to USA.

Royal Navy’s four strategic submarines

@itsonlymockandroll. The Tridents are either being repaired or running away from Russia.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Nuclear-armed North Korea's intimidation of Japan makes me really sad. No doubt, Japan's colonization of Korean Peninsular as the result of the 1910 Treaty of Annexation of Korea is the very cause of North Korea's indelible enmity toward Japan. It seems always the case in history that posterior generations must pay for a negative inheritance they inherit from anterior generations.

Japan is thought to have paid its price by being subjected to total defeat with its cities and infrastructure demolished to the nail plus two cities wiped out by atomic bombs. Apparently, the war-denouncing constitution, especially Article 9, which is said to have been inserted by then Prime Minister Kijuro Shidehara (Shidehara draft) because a previous draft (the so-called Matsumoto draft) had been rejected by the GHQ across the board, which the GHQ said was not much different from the Meiji Constitution.

If Japan had been faithful to its post-war determination and followed  a pacifist path earnestly, there would have been no such intimidation as North Korea warning Japan against "imminent self-destruction."

Japan cannot attack other countries for the solution of international conflicts because of the constitution. But if it lets a large foreign military contingents station in Japan and lets them do whatever they want, for example, attack and invade other countries, isn't it the same thing as Japan itself is attacking? Probably, North Korea is bringing that sham to broad day light. Why should it attack another country that professes itself to be a disarmed, peaceful country?

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

NK's plan all along to piss off JP so they can also threaten JP.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

All sides talk about provocation and I haven't seen any attempt at dialogue?

The US isn't used to dialogue!

NK knows the US never negotiates with weak countries-it just attacks!

There have been many attempts at dialogue between the two countries. See http://www.ibtimes.com/us-north-korea-diplomacy-where-we-stand-after-20-years-failed-talks-nuclear-threats-1773748

6 ( +6 / -0 )

What's his reasoning? nearly bomb some other country and threaten them because they're a bit upset about nearly being bombed?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I wonder how much China is really pulling the strings here. It's often commented on that NK and China don't see eye to eye anymore, but that could be part of the ruse.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

imminent self-destruction? So NK is going to blow itself up? Ok then. 

They are beyond help now anyway, so actually it's more true now than they know

that's a concern. If they know they're done for, that makes everyone else less safe.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

imminent self-destruction? So NK is going to blow itself up? Ok then.

They are beyond help now anyway, so actually it's more true now than they know

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Take KJU out than what?

It would take a more globalized effort to rebuild and help smoothly transition Korea into a single nation (without KJU of course).   One of the things I believe is that China's Government is afraid of is a unified and stable democratic and western aligned Korea.   Because that right there could be a very competitive economic powerhouse right next to them capable of challenging China's desired economic dominance in the region.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Because it's not a Hollywood film and the repercussions would be manifold.

I would argue that repercussions could be manifold in a Hollywood film as well.

Like perhaps he has measures in place to "self-destruct", or just fire as many nukes as they can.

And/or you'll have millions of hungry people flooding into South Korea.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Take KJU out than what?

German reunification was not easy as the monetary, etc systems differed.

Recall when east-germans were given x-amount but when they went to the west the riches bought little in real value.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

N Korea warns Japan of 'imminent self-destruction'

Sloppy translation.  It should have read "N Korea warns Japan of 'imminent destruction'..."

Pyongyang has warned of more similar tests to come.

If you all notice, N Korea seems to schedules many of its "show of force" tests around important anniversary dates.

The next important date is September 9, the 69th anniversary of Kim II Sung's establishment of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Sept 9, 1948.

Expect Kim to do something on that day, barring any technical problems.  Might be prudent for Japan, Okinawa and Guam, to be on alert that day and weekend, just in case.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Kim Jong Un needs to 1) tone down the rhetoric and 2) eat more vegetables.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

What puzzles me is why the "free world" doesn't take this guy out.

Because it's not a Hollywood film and the repercussions would be manifold.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Trump is making things much worse.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

Eek. What did Japan do? Shouldn't he be angry to America and SK for doing some naval training nearby? First Guam and now Japan? Lets hope it doesn't escalate.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Don't know if its a good thing to wake up the imperial sleeping dragon with the red sun or just let it be.  NK sure is trying hard to agitate Japan and have it colonized again.  They should just leave well enough alone and move on or else they will find the war they are not ready to fight.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

All the muppet had to do was lay off the missiles for a bit let things calm down and people could have come to the table, but he is putting his country on a fast path to annihilation, and putting the rest of us at risk..

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Any formal dialogue can be considered, only after the Pyongyang dictatorship fully complies with all UN resolutions.

And must also undertake to re-join the nuclear non-proliferation Treaty after independents inspectors have confirmed the North Korean Government no longer represents a threat to global peaceful coexistence.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

All sides talk about provocation and I haven't seen any attempt at dialogue?

The US isn't used to dialogue!

NK knows the US never negotiates with weak countries-it just attacks!

Kim Jong-un knows that Pyongyang won't be bombed again without considerable risk to any aggressor.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

What puzzles me is why the "free world" doesn't take this guy out. If they wait to long this "bird brain" will definitely be starting a War!

9 ( +14 / -5 )

"Japan has now come out with its sleeves rolled up in supporting its master's anti-DPRK war moves."

I think this statement, more than the threats, will actually irk people here as they are forced to admit the US is Japan's master.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

The UK government could extend unequivocal support, a guarantee of full retaliatory action from one of the Royal Navy’s four strategic submarines.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

So the North will press the self-destruct button?

5 ( +7 / -2 )

This butter-bean is a real nut case. My biggest fear is that he's causing NK to implode, which means even more instability leading to conflict. Fingers crossed.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

The Destructive People's Republic of Kim is really going off the deep end. Is it a case of if you tell yourself over and over that you are invincible then you'll start actually believing it?

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Theresa May hogging all the limelight; that's got to be the reason.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Wait - "self-destruction"?! That may be so, but if it does happen, it won't involve anything from North Korea.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

N Korea warns Japan of 'imminent self-destruction'

So... they're going to nuke themselves? crosses fingers

15 ( +18 / -3 )

Like a few measly missiles would "destroy" Japan.  Or L'il Kim would be that nuts.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

"The DPRK's toughest countermeasures include a warning to Japan going wild, being unaware of its imminent destruction,"

Can you do after the weekend, though? Kind of a semi-wild one planned, ironically.

20 ( +21 / -1 )

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