Posted on 06/12/2013 10:39:34 AM PDT by JerseyanExile
North Korea seems to have put its missiles away for now, but Japan’s conservative government wants the option to blast them away the next time they’re pointed in Tokyo’s direction. It’s a satisfying idea, but maybe not a good one.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party is compiling a new set of defense guidelines that would allow Japan’s armed forces, for the first time, to develop offensive capability, and to strike first if an attack appears imminent.
Under Japan’s strictly pacifist constitution, the Self Defense Force is restricted to weaponry and tactics that are deemed defensive in nature. That means no bombers, no cruise or ballistic missiles, no armed drones — and no shooting until shot at.
That could change under the new National Defense Program Guidelines, which are expected to be finished by year’s end.
According to the Ministry of Defense, Japan’s armed forces are required to operate under rules oriented exclusively toward defense.
“The exclusively defense-oriented policy means that Japan will not employ defensive force unless and until an armed attack is mounted on Japan by another country, and even in such a case, only the minimum force necessary to defend itself may be used. Furthermore, only the minimum defense forces necessary for self-defense should be retained and used. This exclusively defense-oriented policy is a passive defense strategy that is consistent with the spirit of the Constitution,” states the ministry’s 2012 Defense White Paper.
(Excerpt) Read more at nation.time.com ...
The folks who think the U. S. shouldn’t carry the burden of defending other nations, may get their way in Japan.
Once Japan develops offensive weapons again, the Jeanie is out of the bottle. Putting it back in will be impossible. Now this is okay as it relates to North Korea, but when happens when it is deemed in Japan’s best interest to no longer be a friend of the U. S. do to geopolitical concerns.
You reap what you sew folks.
Translation to Engrish — we’re pretty sure we can’t rely on Obama to help defend Japan.
Too late. Tebow has already been signed.
It is “sow” as in to sow wheat.
Thanks. And here I thought that was a female pig. LOL
Good , if Germany can build self defense with offensive capability, Japan should too; Especially now that the USA has shown itself a weak ally.
Banzai!!!!
Japan is not the military giant it was in the 20-30’s.
Even so they'd make a good ally, but their industrial complex is still vulnerable.
“the Jeanie is out of the bottle.”
I dream of that Jeanie
I worked with Japanese for almost 10 years - I agree with you 1,000 percent.
Japan would remain a good ally for a while. But geopolitical pressures being what they are, who knows in 25 to 30 years?
:^)
Thanks JttpWalsh.
You bet !
a good ally for a while...”
true, cultural difference, unlike Britain......
Thanks. It’s tough to know that sort of dynamic unless you’ve been dealing with people on the ground. I would still like to think you’re not completely on target here, but you’ve got the upper hand on close in contact.
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