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© Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.U.S. ambassador to Japan says boosting arms industry ties is key to stronger security alliance
By MARI YAMAGUCHI TOKYO©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.
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UChosePoorly
Smaller nations need to stick together if they want to keep free of the tentacles of China and Russia.
factchecker
There's also a buck to be made by the arms dealers.
bass4funk
Finally, Emanuel is doing something right and that makes absolute sense. Great move.
kurisupisu
Japanese skills and attention to detail are a great combination to manufacture weapons of destruction…
UChosePoorly
Are you suggesting we should nationalize our arms industry? I may be open to that. Tell us more.
TokyoLiving
The classic warmongering mentality of good old US, manipulating its satellite countries with a disguise of "democracy and goodwill"..
Just to save its decadent hegemony and sell weapons to the world..
What a disgrace..
Ampas
The tentacles of the global US military footprint sees China and Russia stick together. Relations have never been better between the two.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Good money for everyone involved and is a threat to no peace loving country.
FizzBit
Rahm Emanuel
MIC lobbyist and warmonger Rahm (never let a crises go to waste) Emanuel for Japan says boosting arms industry ties is key to stronger security alliance.
FIXED
UChosePoorly
Good for them. Can you imagine a smaller nation having to stand up to both China and Russia combined? They would get rolled over. Better for smaller nations to stick together.
Alfie Noakes
Loasdamoney in proxy wars and genocide these days.
Israel just fired a drone into a playground of children in Gaza: 11 dead and more injured. Why can't Japanese companies take a share of the profits from this "war"?
Why should Mister Raytheon make all the dosh? Get in there Mitsubishi, there's loasdamoney for everyone!
PTownsend
Do you think Emanual's getting instructions from duly elected US President Biden.Or are the Republicans, in name only, still claiming it's some shapeshifting mass known to them as the 'president in exile' pulling strings from th swamps of Florida. LOL and ... that would be...
UChosePoorly
Alfie - are you suggesting that Japan doesn’t need an arms industry?
Legrande
Oh Absolutely more weapons is the answer for a more peaceful, prosperous future with a clean intact ecosystem... just what president/former Army general Eisenhower talked about in his farewell address to the American people
TaiwanIsNotChina
Russia is a desperate doggy with no one to take care of it. That is why China and Russia stick together.
Yrral
You can generally wage psychological warfare on your insecure adversaries, without resorting to violent,
JboneInTheZone
How could anyone think this is bad? Russia, Japan’s neighbors, invaded a sovereign nation and China has been repeatedly making territorial claims in the south China see that have no international backing. We also have North Korea, Japan’s other bad neighbor, constantly launching rockets over and around Japan. It would be stupid for a Japan to not improve its own defensive capabilities.
virusrex
Defaulting to weapons as the key for security means they are recognizing the failure to use more civilized ways to address international conflict.
BertieWooster
"He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword."
Building up arms doesn't deter war. Diplomacy and honest communication do. The vast majority of people in any country do not wish to be hit with weapons of mass destruction.
dagon
Hello, my name is Rahm Emanuel, a shill for the military industrial complex, and I approve of this message.
Yrral
Nukemap is nuclear simulation of what happened to a city like Tokyo,if they were attacked with a nuclear weapon,it simulation of casualty Google Nukemap
JboneInTheZone
Having a big stick incentivizes international players to act civilized
What a wildly incorrect statement. Maybe you missed a little event called “the Cold War”
deanzaZZR
Rahm will never be confused with a Kennedy, Reischauer or Mondale that's for sure. I'm pretty sure skipped diplomacy boot camp.
u_s__reamer
Want to boost the arms industry? You don't need to be a rocket scientist or even a dumb diplomat to know that no better way has been found in all of human history than to arrange a little war. Has Rahm spoken recently to his friend, Bibi, perchance? With his boss, Biden for sure!
Blacklabel
No, we don’t want Japan involved in the US weapons industry.
dan
Ah the U.S military arms industry at work as usual !
Disgusting.
Sanjinosebleed
Very sad!
Ampas
Russia is a desperate doggy with no one to take care of it.
Desperate in terms of ...? The Russian economy is doing well enough even after decoupling from some G7/EU nations, 80% of the world has maintained relations, international settlements now take place in currencies other that the dollar, the line on the map of Ukraine is moving in one direction, they maintain huge military hardware advantage over Ukraine while the West has shown no signs of wanting to escalate things to World War 3.
isabelle
Nonsense. You cannot conduct "diplomacy and honest communication" with dictatorships like China, North Korea, and Russia. They will lie and take advantage of you every single time.
Arms are absolutely necessary: if your country is not powerful enough, you may be attacked or have your territory stolen. Just ask Ukraine, or the Philippines, for instance.
It's one of the answers. See above.
See above. Plus, having a huge arsenal -- even if you never use it -- is part of psychological warfare and does work.
isabelle
If Japan builds up its own defense industry it would eventually rely less on the US, resulting in reduced sales from it. The actual reason that Rahm is pushing for this is there in the article:
The United States alone can no longer supply all democracies
TaiwanIsNotChina
Please tell me how Putin and Xi have responded positively to diplomacy and honest communication. I'll wait.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Just as well: there is no diplomacy to be had with the autocracy brigade.
TaiwanIsNotChina
A perplexing statement. Anything we authorize them to produce they have already been cleared for. Do you also advocate cutting the DoD budget?
TaiwanIsNotChina
The OECD is 40% of world gdp and Russia isn't getting that business back. Dedollarization does not exist. Two new NATO allies.
stormcrow
Spot on!
BakabonPapa
Yep - it's key to lining politicians' pockets and maintaining LDP control of Japan.
GuruMick
What rare materials does Japan have to induce an invasion and occupation by a foreign country.?
Please advise.
TaiwanIsNotChina
The rare material of blocking China and Russia's access to the sea. Also the continuing humiliation the CCP says China is under.
Yrral
DOD should be cut and use to.pay people that serve the country honorable first,and stop providing them with substandard care like the secretary of defense
Ampas
Can you name one G7/EU country with higher GDP growth than Russia in 2023?
https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/NGDP_RPCH@WEO/OEMDC/ADVEC/WEOWORLD
Yes, it does.
https://theconversation.com/why-the-world-is-turning-away-from-the-us-dollar-220093
GuruMick
Russia GDP on par with South Korea, around number 10 in world ratings.
USA, Japan, UK, Germany, France and five other nations exceed Russia's GDP.
Personally for a nation with one of the largest landmass , they are doing pretty poorly.
Suggest less paranoid arms building, more high tech. manufacturing.
Oh...and less alcoholism.
JboneInTheZone
it’s not going to happen despite whatever conspiracy theory website you link
Ampas
Articles quoting IMF and World Bank statistics qualify as conspiracy theory websites now? Don't let the facts get in the way of your opinion.
isabelle
Dictators don't only invade for "rare materials." They invade for reasons of geopolitics, geostrategy, ideology, "prestige," clinical insanity, and many other reasons.
What rare materials does Ukraine have (that Russia doesn't) that caused Russia to invade?
What rare materials are there high in the Himalayas where China marched across India's border and killed its troops?
etc. etc. etc.
Aoi Azuuri
He is like ambassador of military-industrial complex.
4123
He demands many constitutional violations to Japan as if its boss despite ambassador, and drag country and citizen into the war.
voiceofokinawa
I've been arguing that Tokyo follows and implements whatever Washington dictates it to do. What this article says seems to confirm my assumption.
It is truly regrettable Japan is trailing back a World War II path despite the fact it vowed not to repeat the same mistake as made during the war, by rewriting the constitution to the current pacifist one.
Article 9 of the post-war constitution clearly stipulates:
Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.
In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel is brazen enough to openly encourage Japan to disregard this idealism and fight an international war along with U.S. forces.
OssanAmerica
Incorrect. Wars are started based upon an assessment of the resistance and retaliatory capability of the opponent. If an oppenent appears heavily armed the aggressor will refrain from starting a war that will result in large losses. Common sense 101.
OssanAmerica
Tell that to Russia who is invading another country. Tell that to China who is threatening to invade Taiwan. Aggressor nations like these are the WARMONGERS. Everyone else on the planert is only defemnsively responding to them.
bass4funk
You got my name wrong. bass4funk, correct it next time, but I forgive you.
In part.
The establishment, not sure.
No, Hawaii.
Yes, yes it would be...
bass4funk
Which thankfully keeps us all alive and has been for over 80 years, now if you think China or Russia will, you need to rethink that. A blessing more than disgusting really.
OssanAmerica
You're over 30 years too late. Nikon was making the optics for US "Smart bombs" back in the 1991 Gulf war.
And who is this "we"?
Chabbawanga
Diplomacy anyone?
Chabbawanga
Same as the UK. The foreign policy is set by Washington. David Cameron has the easiest job ever.
ian
Maybe they can if they supply only democracies
deanzaZZR
Bombs mean more profits
Saitou Yuu
He is behaving like modern-day MacArthur, but what now he brings to Japanese public is poverty by armament race, not wealth.
KarlCRJP
Guy getting ready for his future gig as "business consultant" at Mitsubishi. Let the contract money (and the blood) flow!
bass4funk
But who are the democracies now?
TaiwanIsNotChina
You haven't seen our weapons in action with trained operators yet. We have, on the other hand, seen everything Russia has to offer and they can't take a major city from #30 on the military expenditure list.
TaiwanIsNotChina
I bet North Korea had some pretty stellar GDP growth in 2023, too.
Oh I see, "exploring ways", and a dollar backed UAE settles transaction, and a zoomed in graph. Stunning evidence.
GuruMick
Ukraine was considered the "breadbasket of Europe " for its grains production. Russia additionally sees a historical claim to part of that territory.
Japan doesnt ,wont cant interfere with China or Russian shipping...why would they ?
And wars start for "geopolitical reasons .." LIKE RESOURCE ACCESS. What are Japan's resources in raw materials ?
No one invading Antartica I notice.
Again, where''s the benefit of invading and occupying Japan.
No one can answer.
Maybe occupying some disputed southern Islands beyond Okinawa....MAYBE....but that hardly the goose that laid the golden egg is it. ?
From the southern seas, Australia , the Indian ocean, India, the Atlantic, Europe, it would''nt be an American Head of State visit if buying more American arms were not on the agender.
Worse than Avon Calling or Tupperware Parties.
Salesmen of death, doom and gloom.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Now lets show off some more of our nukes on the evening news, amirite?
TaiwanIsNotChina
Then Russia should have no problem returning the islands its stole if they are so worthless, hrm?
Wasabi
Japan make your own decision and stop obeying to everything the USA is "saying".
If more weapon are needed, build yours!
Kumagaijin
Japan should avoid making weapons and tech for the US, that it basically gives away to Israel to be used against innocent civilians and those legally resisting occupation.
Lepyon
Things are getting Orwellian. War is peace and peace is war.
Yrral
His pass failure as Mayor,to stop.gun violence should disqualify him from talking about something,he has no knowledge of
Agent_Neo
You are confusing it with Korea.
Japan's Self-Defense Forces cooperate with the U.S. military in emergencies, but can deploy independently.
The South Korean military is commanded by the United States and cannot act independently.
Around Japan, there are invading countries such as China and Russia that invade Japan's airspace and territorial waters. Furthermore, there are only enemy countries surrounding Japan, such as North Korea, which has abducted Japanese people, and South Korea, which has invaded Takeshima.
It would be suicidal not to build up military forces even though such countries are next door. ''Never forget rebellion in peace,'' and ''A country that supports its neighbors will perish.''
There are many sayings, but you cannot protect your country if you are oblivious to peace.
isabelle
An incredibly ignorant statement? Perhaps you should read your own post back.
The use of Japanese weapons in a conflict is decided by the Japanese government/Diet, not the US. The new arrangement discussed by Kishida/Biden may lead to a joint command next year, but even if it does that's still not "ultimately lies with the US military's top chain of command."
And the posters I was replying to were talking (I believe) about weapons sales anyway, not chain of command.
...
https://www.reuters.com/world/what-us-japan-defense-shakeup-will-involve-why-2024-04-05/
It means U.S. commanders in Japan have no strategic decision-making powers and authority largely limited to managing bases and personnel, rather than working with Japanese counterparts.
Legrande
The use of Japanese weapons in a conflict is decided by the Japanese government/Diet, not the US. The new arrangement discussed by Kishida/Biden may lead to a joint command next year, but even if it does that's still not "ultimately lies with the US military's top chain of command."
If you really believe in an actual conflict that the US would allow the SDF to operate independently, then you are out to sea.
Regardless of any "official" agreements, the LDP and its SDF are creations of Macarthur and company and post-Macarthur US authorities, which is why the LDP has remained in power from 1955 until now, except for two brief intervals.
And the posters I was replying to were talking (I believe) about weapons sales anyway, not chain of command.
Again, the LDP and its weapons program has been carefully planned in conjunction with the US, these projects are always mutually beneficial financially / otherwise, so you can bet that the components etc used in Japanese weapons systems are tied into American defense industries. No way would the US allow the Japanese to build weapons that the US wouldn't be able to operate and profit on.
Agent_Neo
Although purchases of the F35 and Osprey Aegis Ashare are progressing, other products are being produced domestically.
It has been said that Japan's Liberal Democratic Party has been in perfect sync with the United States, but in reality, in the F2 program, Japan has insisted on its independence to the end, and in the F3 program, Japan is partnering with Britain and Italy to develop a next-generation fighter jet. It is supposed to be.
Domestic production of land weapons is also progressing, and with the exception of the Osprey for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, almost all weapons are domestically produced.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force's ships and submarines are domestically manufactured, and only some missiles and other items are purchased from the United States.
Weapons imports from the United States are worth about $500,000 a year, but it is hard to believe that this is a large amount.
Although I do not believe that Japan will be able to fight China or Russia on its own, it is unlikely that Japan will fight under American command, although it may at least cooperate with the American military in times of emergency.
One reason is that, unlike South Korea, Japan has a very long track record of operating its own military.
And there is no legal reason why they should serve in the US military.
moonbloom
Again, you are surmising based on "official" information which does not reflect the fact that post-war Japan was engineered by the US to serve US interests while maintaining the appearance of an independent Japan.
Macarthur often spoke openly of post-war Japan being the greatest opportunity to engineer a country to suit one's needs.
All of the LDP are beholden to the US, and Japan invariably always falls in line with US policy, while both sides maintain the charade that the LDP does so of their own accord.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Lots of comments that the US runs Japan when Japan has full autonomy to amend their Japanese written Article 9. Pretty insulting to say that Japan can't make their own decisions.
1glenn
Remember the peace dividend following the collapse of the USSR? Lasted about ten years, but is over with now. All we can hope for now is a better change of leadership in the totalitarian regimes.
Yrral
China already got Tokyo gps coordinate program in the nuclear missile,quicker than the Tomahawk go on line,this like going to a gunfight with a knife,it do not matter because has already got strategy advantage over Japan
Legrande
Lots of comments that the US runs Japan when Japan has full autonomy to amend their Japanese written Article 9.
The LDP has full autonomy to follow the US. They have never and will never contradict US policy, i.e. never side with Russia or Iran against the US.
TaiwanIsNotChina
They could tear up the security treaty with the US. Japanese people don't want to, though. They like the US.
Mr Goodman
Japan needs better dialogue not more weapons
Mr Goodman
The Japanese people don't have a choice
Japan is occupied
Some agreements were never translated into Japanese for a reason !
But hey we're allies anyway so who cares
opheliajadefeldt
Perfect, more money for the arms makers, I mean, they are very hard up just now, they are only making billions from the Ukraine and Israeli armies.
isabelle
You are in conspiracy theory territory here.
Do you have anything to back up this assertion, or is it -- as I suspect -- just wild speculation?
More speculation.
Proof, with sources, please.
Japan already builds and operates weapons and military equipment independently of the US.
Isubari8
Dwight Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander in WWII, warned us about the Military Industrial Complex. Didn't do a bit of good, of course. It's stronger than ever. War is where the big money is. People just can't stop killing each other and the war mongers just love making money from it.
Tamarama
I assume there is no inkling of irony or shame in what he was saying, right?
God, the US are something else. When it suits and serves them, they are happy to encourage the modern nation state they created some 70 clicks back down the road, to now becoming their arms manufacturing backup plan.
The world needs less US weapons, not more.