Report: Japan to permit US attacks from its territory

Ynet ^ | January 6, 2007 | Iris Georlette

[West Coast Conservative]

The Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported that the United States and Japan are expected to upgrade their joint operation plan for a possible contingency on the Korean Peninsula.

The Japanese newspaper said the countries agreed on military cooperation in case of an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula, a missile attack on Japan or the launching of an operation to protect Taiwan from China.

The Asahi Shimbun quoted local government officials as saying that under the new agreement the US would be authorized to launch attacks on North Korea from bases and ports in Japan.

In addition, the report said, Japanese and US officials will seek the cooperation of the police, local governments and the private sector in such functions as search and rescue operations for US military personnel, and providing and guarding bases and ports that would serve as operational hubs for the US military.

Some 50,000 American troops are regularly stationed in Japan as part of the existing alliance between the countries. The current plan is aimed at providing an answer to the threats made by North Korean, which carried out nuclear and long-range missile tests in 2006.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Is this the case with American bases in South Korea, too?

[Wiseghy]

Interesting. The conventional media will never admit it, but American Leadership of the free world is lining up along some very successful, unnoticed fronts at this time:

In the East, fear of China is lining up a new Asian alliance with much stronger, though very quiet, US ties with formally weak or arms length allies, such as Australia, India, Japan, Thailand and even the Philippines.

In Eastern Europe, Russia is making everyone afraid. So far Putin has skillfully deflected moves for alliance, but some nations are moving into our sphere anyway.

In the middle east, fear of Iran is causing an even more silent, but far more fragile alliance to emerge in the Arab and Endo-european countries.

Say what you want about Condi Rice, but she appears to be moving the US in a much more favorable position, despite its internal political conflicts and extended military engagements.

It's actually an amazing achievement.

[Frank_Discussion]

If we ever decide to pull the trigger against NK, they are SO pwnd.

[MARKUSPRIME]

Good news. China,NK,Iran,and Russia are the destabilizing anti-democracy forces in the world and we need to counter them at every turn. Japan is an excellent ally to have in this region. Thank you Nippon.The world two largest economies and democracies cant be beaten by china and NK.