[lt.america]

You are right on target regarding China's fear of a more military minded Japan. China's control over North Korea was exposed as nonexistent recently so Japan's hand has been forced and we gave them ample opportunity to get Pyongyang under control.

Rewriting the constitution is the second step as the military has already been granted ministry level status, but the biggest hurdle will be the change in mindset as the military still does not have the respect of the people but that will come. Bottom line, I am glad they are on our side because they will definitely be a military might throughout Asia.

[Candor7]

I agree with your statements. Your understanding of the necessary strategic implications of Japans military possibilities and their social implications in Japan is unusually accurate. Were you stationed there?

BTW, my son works in Kanazawa Japan, teaches English at a technical college. He will be marrying a beautiful Japanese lady this coming summer.I have advised him to seek a teaching contract at one of the JSDF colleges. We will be working with them big time in years to come, and all of their pilots will need English for combined ops.