Japan to Keep Troops in Iraq

The Scotsman ^ | March 16, 2005

[snowsislander]

Italy’s possible scale-down of its troops in Iraq will have no effect on Japan’s deployment of 550 troops in the country, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said today.

“Italy is Italy, Japan is Japan,” Koizumi told reporters when asked if the prospect of a pullout by Rome could lead to a similar move by Tokyo.

Japan has been a vocal supporter of the US-led military mission in Iraq and has dispatched 550 troop to the southern city of Samawah on a humanitarian operation in support of reconstruction.

[snowsislander]

ping

[Conspiracy Guy]

At least Japan has guts.

[Jeffery T.]

Now that's that ol' Shinto spirit. Now if we can send an old WWII kamikazi pilot over there, "pack your bags fellows; war is over."

[Conspiracy Guy]

LOL.

[snowsislander]

At least Japan has guts.

That's never been a problem for Japan. ;-)

Now if Japan can free themselves of their constitutional strictures on the military and boost their military budget...

[RightWhale]

Japan cares where its oil comes from.

[Conspiracy Guy]

That would solve the Chinese/North Korean problem.

[Conspiracy Guy]

They are a strong ally.

[RightWhale]

Our best allies are islands. England and Japan. We have a lot in common with islands, being a large island ourselves. Maritime powers have their own distinct thinking.

[Mase]

"Now if Japan can free themselves of their constitutional strictures on the military and boost their military budget..."
==

Does the Japanese public have the stomach for it? There seemed to be a great deal of public outcry when Japan agreed to send troops to Iraq even though they were only to be used in non-combat operations. How much of the Japanese public would support changing the constitution to allow for a military build up?

Or, has China's blustering swayed public opinion?

[agere_contra]

Now if Japan can free themselves of their constitutional strictures on the military

We were all pretty happy about their constitutional strictures once. It's not like they were pacifists during WWII. They've had to sort something out in their pysche since then - we should give them credit.

[Wiz]

Somehow, Japan lefties love and have pride for the article 9 anti-war amendment that was invented by General McArthur while they have hatred against the US, and the right have always been suffering from the Article 9 anti-war amendment invented by General McArthur to send their troops overseas for peace keeping operations and trying to support the US. Doesn't this look strange?

[RedBeaconNY]

Claps for Japan... and thank you.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

The Japanese have a high sense of national honor and are sticking to their word.

[Mase]

They've had to sort something out in their pysche since then - we should give them credit.
==
That's my question. Have they sorted it out? Will they support a military build up to help box in a growing threat in their part of the world?

[snowsislander]

Does the Japanese public have the stomach for it? There seemed to be a great deal of public outcry when Japan agreed to send troops to Iraq even though they were only to be used in non-combat operations. How much of the Japanese public would support changing the constitution to allow for a military build up?

Or, has China's blustering swayed public opinion?

That's one factor that I shouldn't have left out, but I am afraid that I cannot shed any light on it.

To me, I think Prime Minister Koizumi is a strong leader; I talk to Japanese who are not so complimentary.

For what it is worth, I think the Chinese submarine and the affair of the bones have had an effect. I think that the revision to Article 9 will be strong; if there is a major incident, then I think it might even be gone. However, this Tokto discussion has suddenly blown up, and I am not sure that Japan will want to rock the boat too much at this point by a strong revision of Article 9 being bruited at this moment.

[Mase]

"Doesn't this look strange?"
==
My hope is that the left is a minority in this debate and that Koizumi will take the lead and force the issue now because the timing seems to be right. The Japanese are very pragmatic people who firmly understand the threat that China poses to the region.

A change in the constitution would also give them something to do with all those dollars they have and would be a boon to our armament industry. It would also help stimulate their moribund economy.

Having a fully armed and friendly bulwark between China and NK would be a very good thing indeed and would further expose the Europeans for the duplicitous scum that they are.

[Mase]

"However, this Tokto discussion has suddenly blown up, and I am not sure that Japan will want to rock the boat too much at this point by a strong revision of Article 9 being bruited at this moment."
==

Very disappointing to hear. I had much higher hopes. Hopefully discussions have just paused and the US can help facilitate a return to the issue.

[Soul Seeker]

“Italy is Italy, Japan is Japan,” Koizumi told reporters when asked if the prospect of a pullout by Rome could lead to a similar move by Tokyo.

LOL Another straight talker? I'm disappointed in Italy. Spain was easier to take since Aznar hadn't run for a second term. He wasn't the one that withdrew.

Japan does ease the pain of witnessing the betrayal of other freed nations. I'm not sure they understand how important that is to some of us that wonder if we have any friends after giving our blood, sweat, money and tears to protect them. Japan shows that, yes, some will be with us. A former enemy responsible for the other most known attack on our country is now one of our strongest allies, apparently an alliance that will be strengthened even more in years to come. I thank them.