Suga says SDF facing challenging security environment

Article 9 must go. Japan must have the same abilities as those close neighbors do to deter aggression and maintain peace.

"Unprecedented challenges and threats may emerge and new missions may be assigned to the SDF,"

Again, he's just pointing out the obvious. Does he think this is the job of a leader?

SDF is nothing but a show...They have "trained" with the US Military, but their level of training is subpar at best. In the event ANYTHING happens in Japan, the U.S. Military will take the lead..obviously.

"I want you to be willing to try new things and adapt to future changes."

and we want you to equip us with the tools necessary to kick Japan's enemies butt.

Of the graduates, 53 are female and 23 are from foreign countries, including Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

So much for the old "Japan is hated by all of Asia" garbage.

""No country can protect its own peace and security alone anymore," he added.""

Yes indeed, that's why we have NATO.

No way, new missions and assignments, that’s a complete naive illusion. It’s already impossible to keep the current quality. The few remaining young people are all needed to keep a minimum of the economy and construction / repairing works running , low university rankings, lack of innovations as well as soon to become old infrastructure show the way here, and the other ones are urgently needed for caring and nursing jobs in this aging society. The last third has or will have long-time COVID symptoms or mental issues and therefore can’t serve in the SDF either for simple physical / clinical reasons.

Article 9 must go. Japan must have the same abilities as those close neighbors do to deter aggression and maintain peace.

Well argued. Japan should have the legal authority to engage in conflicts on foreign soil to fight for freedom, launch attacks outside of Japan to defend her interests, and come to the aid of her allies under attack. Just as all other nations, including Germany, do.

Change that horrible, outdated Constitution!

This is an incredibly dangerous time in Japan, the most dangerous time in 76 years.

Don't let Japan to have an army.

Japanese have a tendency to invade countries and abuse atrociously of their military power.

there's a good reason to not let japan having military.

China is the threat the to whole of the region not just japan, China needs to be put in check but every nation in the vicinity.

MarkToday 07:59 pm JST

""No country can protect its own peace and security alone anymore," he added.""

Yes indeed, that's why we have NATO.

We as in who exactly? Japan isnt a member of NATO unless they just signed up for it or maybe you meant Natto?

Japan is the leading edge against the threat of china russia NK on this side of the world, NATO is on the other side of the planet son.

bokudaToday  08:52 pm JST

Don't let Japan to have an army.

Japanese have a tendency to invade countries and abuse atrociously of their military power.

there's a good reason to not let japan having military.

You're 76 years too late. All of Asia and the World have no problem with Japan rebuilding it's military. Because they are all concerned about your beloved militant China dictatorship.

""No country can protect its own peace and security alone anymore," he added.""

I am sure the US and China would disagree.

No, the US would not disagree. Depsite having the power to go at it alone, the US is now presenting an allied block against China, something the previous administration failed to do. It is inherently more powerful than the go-it alone China approach.

Peter14 Today 04:26 pm JST

Article 9 must go. Japan must have the same abilities as those close neighbors do to deter aggression and maintain peace.

Not necessarily.

By simply modifying paragraph 2. And the creation of 1 or 2 new paragraphs. I think that would be enough.

You must understand that the majority of the Japanese people reject the elimination of Article 9. However. Making a good explanation. If they would tolerate a modification, in case of urgent need.

In fact. What prevents its reform is the attitude of Yukio Edano and the PDCJ. They are the ones blocking the activation of Article 96 and the calling of a referendum to ask what the people really think.

@Zoroto, you make it sound like women are suppose to be overjoyed to sign up for the SDF. If those numbers were qual to the males, then i would be speechless. This would means that the men in our country are not willing to sign up to protect the country.

bokuda Today 08:52 pm JST

Don't let Japan to have an army.

> Japanese have a tendency to invade countries and abuse atrociously of their military power.

> there's a good reason to not let japan having military.

The SDF is already a real army, except for the name.

And one more thing. The Japan of today has nothing to do with the Japan of the past. Now there is a democracy, with its faults and virtues. There is freedom of speech and of the press. And people have access to truthful information.

That was impossible more than 75 years ago. Not in that Japan.

Hey, are you bias and double standard? But you don't know it yet? Ask yourself this:

-Does your country not have Article 9? but you want to push it on Japan? That makes you bias and double standards

-Do you complain about Japan and Article 9 while giving a full and complete pass to Germany? No Article 9 for the Germans? That means your bias and double standard.

-China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia.... This are the countries surrounding Japan, All of them are investing heavily in their military, don't like each other. Yet, you expect Japan to do nothing?? That would make you bias and double standards.

Whenever you have an idea about Japan, ask yourself this: Would I be ok with my own country agreeing to the hate and double standards that I want and expect Japan to agree with? ? Ask yourself this, the double standards you have.

"-Do you complain about Japan and Article 9 while giving a full and complete pass to Germany? No Article 9 for the Germans? That means your bias and double standard."

Don't worry.

JT "expertise" wants Japan unable to fully rearm.

That way those "experts" who certainly would be easily dealt with by a mere SDF cook can come here and type nonsense about every single Japanese person fighting ability and capacity.

SDF is nothing but a show...They have "trained" with the US Military, but their level of training is subpar at best.

That is emphatically not true of the JMSDF. Have you ever operated with Japanese forces? I have. They are outstanding in every way and JMSDF is probably the best navy in the world in terms of the material condition of its ships and the training of its personnel outside the US Navy. They are certainly the best ASW navy outside of the USN. I have seen both the JMSDF and PLAN up close and while the PLAN is much bigger they can only dream of achieving the level of training and equipment the JMSDF has. JMSDF is low key, not flashy, they don't draw attention to themselves but don't let that fool you. Operate with them and you see they are pros with great equipment and a very high level of training.

They've already had 30 years to prepare. How many more planning meetings do they need to hold?

The equipment that was state of the art 30 years ago is now retired and sitting in desert bone yards, or sitting on pedestals outside bases somewhere. Tactics and equipment change constantly and this means allies are going to hold planning meetings as long as they remain allies.

Oh yeah, and the people who held the planning meetings 30 years ago are all long gone and new people have to sit down and work out how the alliance will act under a variety of scenarios. Businesses have weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual meetings for much the same reasons as business conditions and the players change regularly. Why does this offend you?