Japanese defense chief blames nationalism for suspicions against his country

YONHAP NEWS ^

[crucified14yearold]

Japanese defense chief blames nationalism for suspicions against his country WASHINGTON, May 14 (Yonhap) -- Youngsters in Japan and its neighbors, swept up in nationalism and not having experienced war, are part of the reason why countries like Korea and China suspect Japan of re-militarization, Japan's defense chief told a U.S. weekly.

Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma reaffirmed his country's interest in prized U.S. F-22 fighter jets but said Tokyo needs more information on specific capabilities, much of which is secret under U.S. law.

Japan's interest in the F-22s has sounded alarms in South Korea and other regional nations, victims of Tokyo's invasions in the past century. The fighter jets are recognized for supreme stealth capability and other state-of-the-art features that the U.S. is not yet willing to share with other countries. Their foreign sales are prohibited by law.

Asked about South Korea's response, Kyuma reaffirmed Japan's peaceful intentions.

"It is important for Japan to maintain that reputation," he said in an interview published Monday in Defense News.

But younger generations in Japan, China and Korea "have not the memory of having lost the war, reflected on the war, providing -- or in the case of the Chinese and the Koreans, receiving -- aid from Japan in the form of war reparations," the defense minister said.

"The younger generation tends to be swept away by nationalism, and that is something that we need to be watchful for." Having been defeated in World War II, Japan is restricted to having self-defense forces. But backed by political and economic power, the country is seen as expanding the role of those forces as well.

His generation tends to be more sensitive about Japan's relationship with its neighbors, Kyuma said.

"But a younger generation may tell you something a little different," he said.

While expressing caution about Japan participating in weapons research or military sales, Kyuma said decisions will be made on a "case-by-case basis." Military sales are technically possible, he said, such as the export of patrol ships to Indonesia to help its counter-piracy and counter-terrorism efforts.

"There is a possibility for some of the defense systems, such as the equipment that is useful for countering biological and chemical systems," he said.

On F-22s, Kyuma complained that Japan "cannot even look into" the capabilities of the fighter jet because of legal prohibitions.

"I have raised this issue with U.S. Secretary (of Defense Robert) Gates, requesting his assistance in Japan's efforts to get the information," he said.

[Otaku6]

We call it practical experience. Then learning from your own mistakes, then correcting them.

Forgot your perfect, then the evil white men came out of nowhere and told you that you aren’t allowed to have a military anymore.

If they wanted to do it they should make a shared command like NORAD. They buy the fighters but american troops guard the planes and fly them. They’ll fly your missions but they have to answer to a joint command. Don’t like it then go back to your Nanking, 731 denials, and the 2nd worst genocidal acts that the world has seen.