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U.S in talks with Japan about Marine force overhaul, says commander

27 Comments
By Tim Kelly

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Japan's Okinawan islands are part of what military planners refer to as the "first island chain" stretching from Japan through the Philippines to Indonesia, that hems in China's growing forces.

Now if the "anti" folks down here would look at this and once and for all, realize, the strategic importance that Okinawa plays in the defense of the country of Japan, they might learn to shut up!

But, that is wishful thinking I know, just wait, it's coming.......

5 ( +14 / -9 )

The United States has begun talks with Japan about deploying mobile U.S. Marine units in Okinawa armed with anti-ship and air defense missiles that would work closely with Japanese forces on islands "

Old news that has been on the back burner for years but can I recommend put a joint task force on Senkaku islets too? AS for folks coming to realization, not gonna happen even if you paint a picture.

"Washington accuses Beijing of using the coronavirus pandemic to further territorial claims in the South China Sea and increase its influence elsewhere in Asia." What a farce, this was happening way before SARS2 as the illegal man made islands were built way before and increased their encroachment which includes today well into the EEZ of Japan waters. They have drawn a new second claim to waters that is just off shore of the Ryukyu Islands a very common historical practice followed by land annexation as proven in their past. knock knock Okinawan's..someone is at your door and they are not going away unless like the old villagers of the past, drove them away. Just food for thought.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Why didn't they do this when Japan was bullied and humiliated by China at Senkaku? All Japanese felt U.S. Forces on Okinawa useless. Obama and the democratic government said they did not intervene in territorial issues.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Japan you be the shield and we will be the spear. Says America.

Translation, you take the hits, the rockets, cruise missile, ballistic missiles coming from China or North Korea, while we are over 4500 miles away at a safe distance.

If you follow the news closely you will see America under Trump escalating the situation, making things worse with China and if a conflict happens? Japan supposed to be the shield?.... Yeah, makes sense.

When you send the new cruise missiles, maybe send them some masks too and better commanders able to keep this soldiers in line instead of constant reports of bad behavior or spreading covid 19.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

If you dont think the result of moving forward deployed troops out of the region will end up with you needing to learn chinese language, you’re sadly mistaken

2 ( +6 / -4 )

...and then Biden wins and it all goes back to Obama era China appeasement.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

After USSR Soviet fell, America's defense industries lost momentum. America needs their enemies to brush up their defense technologies. Trump's anti-China stance may be interpreted from that point of view also.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

After WWII, US troops were not stationed in Japan to protect Japan. They were stationed in Japan to ensure the rest of Asia that Japan would never again rampage over Asia. It is time to let Trump remove troops from Japan, as he has threatened to do many times. In spite of most of the news about US troops being about crimes they commit, the troops I've met here over the years were great people. It's too bad that they no longer have the open base festivities on July 4.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Good news for all counties that have disputed the territorial right of islands and seas.

Im not sure the future, but if new US president was elected in near future, how will the policy change?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

"Old news that has been on the back burner for years but can I recommend put a joint task force on Senkaku islets too?"

It's not old news. Not at all. It is a clean break from current USMC doctrine that has received some serious push back from segments of the Marine Corps and Congress. While the article doesn't mention that for artillery battalions the gun tubes will be replaced with rocket launchers like HIMARS the elimination of tanks is being panned within the Corps and from Congress.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Wise decision to beef up the defense of Okinawa. Make no mistake- Communist China is eyeing the Okinawa islands as the next takeover in their quest to dominate the region. With this policy announcement, Communist China would be in for the fight of their lives if they ever were dumb enough to attempt an Okinawa invasion.

If there is a new President in November, lets hope this new policy is retained.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

"...and then Biden wins and it all goes back to Obama era China appeasement."

Two comments. The pivot to the Pacific, moving naval forces from the Atlantic to Pacific regions was begun under the Obama Administration.

Second, the presidential campaign in the US is looking like a competition between Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden over who will be tougher on China. Keep in mind the Democratic Party has a number of legislators in the House of Representatives who's parents immigrated from Taiwan and Hong. They are not inclined to appease mainland China. They hate the CCP. And the Democrats are less inclined to let commercial considerations mute criticism of China's or any other country's human rights violations.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

They will cut down the number of aircraft, do away with cannon artillery and heavy artillery, and instead create "Marine Littoral Regiments" equipped with missiles and drones to cope with the changing world of electronic warfare? In other words, the traditional concept of the U.S. Marines as expeditionary forces has dissipated completely.

Under such circumstances, what's the use of building Futenma's replacement at Henoko, Nago City, Okinawa, whose function is presupposed only for conventional warfare?

Close Futenma and return the land immediately with no strings attached.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

vanityofvanitiesToday  09:45 am JST

Why didn't they do this when Japan was bullied and humiliated by China at Senkaku? All Japanese felt U.S. Forces on Okinawa useless. Obama and the democratic government said they did not intervene in territorial issues.

Because the perceived threat level then was far lower than it is now. Besides, while China did provoke Japan back then, it was Japan's decision to not escalate the issue. Today, China's behavior calls for a clear and coordinated response by the entire world.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

It’s against the Japanese constitution. It also rightly so, makes Okinawa a legitimate target. The innocent citizens will perish because of US aggression.

just look at what 2 F-15s did to civilian passengers aboard the private Iranian airplane yesterday.

US aggressive weapons will link Japan SDF to US harassment of China. We will suffer.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

gokai_wo_manekuToday  10:53 am JST

After WWII, US troops were not stationed in Japan to protect Japan. They were stationed in Japan to ensure the rest of Asia that Japan would never again rampage over Asia.

Incorrect. They were stationed in Japan after WWII for the same reason that they were stationed in Europe; to prevent Soviet take over. Your story is what the US sold the USSR.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

"Why didn't they do this when Japan was bullied and humiliated by China at Senkaku? All Japanese felt U.S. Forces on Okinawa useless. Obama and the democratic government said they did not intervene in territorial issues."

Frankly you answered your own question, and many of us have to agree overwhelmingly Obama and his administration did nothing while Chine built up and made islands while eating up more water space. At the same though during these times lets not forget that the US was not alone since Kahn and Hatayoma former PM's of Japan did nothing less than encouraging China to do so. Everyone remember the "shadow" boss Ozawa and how he bought lots and lots of land in Okinawa?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

@"It's not old news. Not at all. It is a clean break from current USMC doctrine that has received some serious push back from segments of the Marine Corps and Congress. "

Yes it is old news and unfortunately not the place to post all the discussion meeting minutes but it does go back well into the 90's, I should know fully well as I was part of these talks.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

"If you follow the news closely you will see America under Trump escalating the situation, making things worse with China and if a conflict happens? "

I'm not sure which news your following as there is so much fake news out there, but I can surely attest for the local news in Asia where even China open is admitting and claiming waters, land that clearly isn't nor ever has been as there's. So please read again.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Close Futenma and return the land immediately with no strings attached.

What I tell ya! I am truly prophetic today!

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Yubaru,

If you are a mouthpiece for Washington, Futenma may indeed never be closed and the land will never be returned. That’s all there is to it. No reason, no justice here. Washington just wants it that way. 

But who shoulders all the cost for the construction, estimated to amount to 900 billion yen, the U.S. or the Japanese taxpayers? Do the Japanese taxpayers have to pay 900 billion yen for Washington's pet project with no reasonable explanation given?

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

If you are a mouthpiece for Washington,

You turned into a comedian!

But who shoulders all the cost for the construction, estimated to amount to 900 billion yen, the U.S. or the Japanese taxpayers? Do the Japanese taxpayers have to pay 900 billion yen for Washington's pet project with no reasonable explanation given?

Off topic, once again.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I'm criticizing Tokyo's readily accepting of Washington's demand to build a replacement for Futenma with all the cost borne by the Japanese taxpayers, estimated to amount to 900 billion yen. Washington hasn't given any reasonable explanation as to why the construction of the new base is necessary. It's only their pet project. Nothing more.

Thus, from the Japanese perspectives, the Henoko new base will be a white elephant, having nothing to do with Japan's security and defense, especially in light of the Marine Corps realignment plan Gen. David Berger talks about.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

I'm criticizing Tokyo's readily accepting of Washington's demand to build a replacement for Futenma with all the cost borne by the Japanese taxpayers, estimated to amount to 900 billion yen. Washington hasn't given any reasonable explanation as to why the construction of the new base is necessary. It's only their pet project. Nothing more.

Nothing to do with the article here, off topic. Get it right for once!

Thus, from the Japanese perspectives

So now you are the "mouthpiece" of all Japan! lol!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

'Beijing insists its intentions in the region are peaceful' as long as Beijing gets what it wants: control of the Pacific region. Chinese Communist Party's window of opportunity is quickly closing. US & Japan better work fast.. add South Korea & Taiwan into the mix, too.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Lol

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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