Frederick Shapiro comments

The mere fact that the Chinese gave orders for their "Coast Guard Vessels" to stay in Japanese waters for 24 hours, is all one needs to know. The Chinese freaked out when they heard that Japan was looking into more offensive weaponry, and view the recent launch of a new Warship that can also double as an emergency platform for evacuations if need be. Is creating instability what China accuses as an issue in the region. The purchase of that tub they bought from Russia, and let’s face it, it must be less than state of the art, and Russians do give anything away, was an ok purchase for them and went without any outcries! Yea as if those resource hungry eaters of anything worthwhile in the region aren’t enough of an example. They have pushed the Vietnam, and the Philippines buttons, and now, perhaps in some sort of desperation, a few people of whom perhaps have had enough of those thugs, made a brief statement. And why not, the Chinese and Koreans have do so and showed their flag, it is time the Japanese grew a pair! They are not Chinese whipping boys, and do not have to follow mandates from Peiking.

hatsoff, you feel short! One need only follow the very same number of commenter’s spewing the very same negative crap each and every time! They have absolutely no support from readers who take some thought about what they read and then comment about. One only needs to look at the comments by the very same number who continue to comment with their negative BS that they write about on every article. Enjoy your freedom of speech, and relish in the readers who post their negatives about your comments, it is a pity you are so apparently “far left”, and even more so that you are so not the voice of reason! hatsoff, you expressed what I am sure so many of us feel. Good job!

China's goal is really quite clear, they know they cannot take over the islands, they will seek to have Japan capitulate, and "share them with China", therefore achieving their intention all along. Get the resources underground by bullying, intimidating, and pushing Japan into a corner! Japan must maintain its sovereignty, and push back, if not what is lost will never be regained, this will also spark renewed interest in North Korea, intimidating Japan for aid, and resources as they have put it ”tribute” that is owed them!

I agree with most of the more positive comments based on readers ratings. It is also an inevitability that is far easier to be bad then good. I also will only make one additional comment. Governments wage war not people! People argue, people fight; sometimes even to the death, but never do people have death tolls in the millions. Mark one thing; Japan is a small Island nation, China is not, and North Korea is nothing more than an insane regime of overfed top echelon military that saber rattle to play up to the Wolds stage, while the rest of its population starves! How can you not be concerned? How can you not do all in your power to posture yourself? The meek will not inherit the earth, at least not now. While Miyazaki’s films are the most stunning and earnest and beautiful, all of which I own all have a central theme, and all send clear messages of humanity, and thoughtfulness. I am afraid it is regrettably just his wish, and we can only aspire to learn from this! However governments start wars, people only pay the price for them. We are people, and even in the most democratic of nations people are thrust into situations they cannot control, and that failure is in war!

Wow! It would appear that an article discussing one issue becomes the topic of quite another. First accidents happen with military, as well as civilian aircraft, whether fixed wing propeller or jet, or rotor. The article references a crash, and I hope the injured US serviceman will recover. The article and its controversy about the feelings of the Okinawa’s people spring up with the same rhetoric as always. Give up the bases, and we can have farm land and resorts built in its place. Oh remember to start learning Chinese, as that will be the price of evection! I wonder if anyone gives any thought to the fact that the US military’s presence has given China some pause about China going just a little further in its overt provocations of late. You cannot have your cake and eat it too! The US has pulled a number of its military assets back to Guam, but front line troops remain in Okinawa for guess what reason? Not protecting itself but Japan, yes there have been issues, regrettable ones, but the price for an ally remaining poised to come to the aid of Japan, I believe is worth the price regrettable as it is!

Tiger_In_The_HermitageAug. 05, 2013 - 11:29AM JST

Saketown@ why do you think the American regime should impose instability around the world for the sake of its own glory and gain? If the American regime patrol our waters, North Korean navy should patrol the waters off LA.

Get a life! North Korea is a rabid dog, and a rogue nation! Followed closely by China and is aspirations to gobble up anything it feels is useful to a country with few resources, and an out of control population! A country that is provocative and heavy handed, while infringing on many countries sovereignty in the name of ownership that is just not true! And you make a comment like that! Enjoy your freedom of speech, it shows readers the true extent of your intellectual capacity!

What can one say about nthe Chinese? You fill in the blanks____!

Guru29AUG. 01, 2013 - 03:09AM JST China is probably the only situation in which they would support Japan. But the Js will go to Yasukuni Shrine and take everything back a step anyway.

Yes, the fascist war shrine is an important factor why the world doesn't trust Japan.

However, as a descendant of Yosuke Matsuoka, the biggest partner of Adolf Hitler in Japan and one of the 14 top war criminals who were promoted to gods by the Yasukuni war shrine, I don't think Shinzo Abe will ever stop his worshiping at the shrine.

Even Japan's fascist DPM, Taro Aso just urged Abe to go and pay respect to the Yasukuni gods recently.

And in the same speech, Taro Aso even suggested that Japan should learn the way of the Nazis on how Adolf Hitler changed the German constitution deceitfully in the 1930s.

Wow you are seriously off you medication..The Chinese Government is the most ruthless on the planet, even to the extent of their own people, they can not be trusted, they can not be validated, and they must be controlled!

One need not be a rocket scientist to read between the lines! Japan is in danger! And I quote: "the country wanted to resolve its maritime territorial disputes peacefully and through talks, but would not compromise on sovereignty and had to step up its defensive capabilities".“China will prepare to cope with complexities, enhance its capacity in safeguarding maritime rights and interests, and resolutely safeguard its maritime rights and interests,” The key word in all this is INTERESTS and theirs is to gobble up anything worth anything that China eyes are a resource. The issue is solely about the China’s claims on the rich waters in the East China Sea, as well as China’s claims over the South China Sea, They will continue their strong arm tactics, as they have for decades, in a "might makes right" attitude. Now more than ever, Japan must posture themselves with military resolve, diplomacy will only result in China making an overture to Japan that they should share, giving China half of some they have no right too. Japan has China worried because they have sent a clear message that Japan’s sovereignty is also not for sale! China is resource poor, and population heavy, not a good balance, for the region, and so its neighbors must be ever diligent or they will need to learn Mandarin

jpshepherdJul. 26, 2013 - 03:06PM JST

I say they should just JANKEN for the islands... ya know, just get the dispute over with! They are after all, only rocks! Rocks, scissors, paper!!! School children settle disputes this way everyday! LOL!

Your're no "Jar Head" with that kind of comment! Who but you perhaps are the only one that considers this an issue of school children? Semper Fi!

Guru29Jul. 30, 2013 - 08:28AM JST

Nobody in Asia trusts China anymore.

Nonsense. China is probably the second most trusted country in south-east Asia after the US.

Lest we forget Tibet? China is mad for natural resources and how to take control of by whatever means at their disposal to achieve what they consider being in their own best interests. The American military in its assessments are correct, and have sent a clear message to China that they must start to behave. If allowed to continue, they will be even bolder, and more aggressive in their thirst for whatever in their minds is necessary regardless of a countries sovereignty. Trust China? How? By their recent agressive posturing? Nope don't think so!

"Traces of Isaka’s minibike were found on his car, police said". The entire issue is just that. The driver cannot argue that point away. As stated by many, to leave a human being in the road, and not give aid, that is a crime against mankind! In the USA, as well as many other countries leaving the scene of an accident of any kind is a crime! The guilt lies with the driver knowingly trying to evade his responsibility. Forensic evidence would show conclusively who was at fault, however the driver gambled, and luckily lost trying to evade this terrible crime! Not to mention the horror he has left in the wake of this accident with this boy’s parents! No one should ever have to deal with that kind of anguish!