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As the coronavirus pandemic forces the U.S. to step back from its global leadership role, now is the time for Japan to reassess its overreliance on its top ally and build its own defense capabilities.

9 Comments

Yuichi Hosoya,  a professor of international politics at Keio University who has served on key government defense panels.

© Nikkei Asian Review

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9 Comments
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I do agree with that statement. However, the stress should be on the word DEFENSE. Definitely, Japan should buff up its defense capabilities seeing the frightening belligerence of China and to a lesser extent Russia. However, this does not mean a change in the Constitution. It works just fine. It is also important to keep a lid on japanese nationalism, as it has a tendency to get out of control

4 ( +5 / -1 )

In four months everything in the US could change. Do nothing important until the US Presidential election is decided.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

The right wing narrative is NOW using the Virus to promote its aggressive policy.? I hope I out live such stupidity.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

With all due respect, the US stepping back from its global leadership role started several years before the virus, to be exact, the day Trump became president of the US. One of his main campaign promises was to withdraw from most international trade agreements, organizations, and treaties. And he did.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

The vociferous left and centrists have been rejecting and fighting against the US's "leadership role" for so long, no wonder that it's now "stepping back."

Somehow I doubt the geopolitical situation will improve as a result, indeed I wager it'll get worse and a lot more dangerous.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

The vociferous left and centrists have been rejecting and fighting against the US's "leadership role" for so long, no wonder that it's now "stepping back."

Yet strangely it has taken an alt right populists leader in the US to actually do so.

I think your interpretation is wrong.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

They been on this mess for years; get the US bases out, rebuild their military. Some of them want to wear the shoulder boards and call the shots. Seems that would be rather difficult being that their equipment mostly comes from the US. I guess they could get it second hand, copy/change it, but they would always be behind.

Im not too concerned yet, but if they were to control shipping lanes or they might convince some Dem loon politician to allow "JSDF" bases to be built up in the US and other overseas territories, that would be concerning. I dont ever see that happening, but with this latest bunch of loons, who knows.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

re: the U.S. to step back from its global leadership role

Ha, fake news, nothing could be further than "real world" truth. The U.S. has increased in Pacific power and influence than in decades. What this person calls withdrawal is out of sync of military mindset and planning. Just because the manpower has diminished does not indicate a fall back, not even close. The use of technology has replaced the need for such manpower and saving lives. The wars this comment is thinking are part of history and not in modern warfare. No the Japanese leadership knows full well what it needs to do.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The Japanese don't want a Japanese military, period. This guy is why you don't hire government defense people to be professors.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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