[x1stcav]

Chester Nimitz and Bull Halsey are probably rolling over in their graves.

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[Live free or die]

Is this real? Can this be happening?

[ahadams2]

now the next step is to get taiwanese aircraft carriers...:-)

[Bobby777]

why don't we just sell them a couple of our retired carriers? ... given China / North Korea of late, a couple of carriers in the hands of an ally might not be a bad idea ... raise a little cash for the Treasury / DOD at the same time ...

they won't be a threat to the U.S.A.

[Centurion2000]

HAWAII - The Japanese navy is preparing to build two small aircraft carriers, its first in more than 60 years, according to Japanese and United States officials.

That flowing sound is the sound of Chinese sphincters emptying.

[MediaMole]

Just the thing for the new Japanese carrier.

[Southack]

"That fighter, also called the F-35, is scheduled to go into production in 2008 just as the first Japanese carrier is ready for sea."

It is a thing of beauty to watch China's plans for world disruption turn around and bite the Dragon. Japan is now re-arming. Sweet.

I mean, it's not like anyone thinks that North Korea is still going to be around in 2008...

[blam]

"Japanese naval officers are calling the new ships 'destroyers' instead of 'aircraft carriers' in an effort to avoid triggering opposition from those against enhanced defence in Japan as well as from China and the two Koreas."

LOL. The planes will be called ducks.

[MistrX]

Tora! Tora! Tora!

[JackelopeBreeder]

A really neat historical touch would be to name them Akagi and Kaga. Or Hiryu and Soryu. That would really frost some Chinese balls.

[McGavin999]

China has been playing around without getting serious on North Korea, now their worst fears are coming true. Let's see if they decide to stop playing around and get serious about reining in NK.

[1rudeboy]

Can you believe the gas mileage these things will get?

[Plutarch]

I heard former Secty of Defense William Perry give a speech recently. He said it would be terrible if Japan were to re-arm, and set off an "arms race" in Asia.

That a Clintonite like Perry should oppose a policy can only mean Japan re-arming is something for which we should devoutly wish.

[Kudsman]

bttt+

[squidly]

But if we have to mix it up with the PRC or NK, I will be glad to have the Japanese on our side.

Quite right. I don't know if I feel good enough about Germany yet to allow them to re-arm as much as they want, but I think Japan is ready. Bushido is dead. They can be an extremely valuable ally if we let them, and we can save ourselves some money by lessening our defense obligations to them (provided we allow them to build up even more).

[Fishing-guy]

For a nation that tends to rationalize their past and not learning much from it, it is kind of scary that they are re-arming with offensive weapons. We don't need another Pearl Harbor.

[The Pheonix]

China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Area

In 1998, Japan mooted this idea. Lots of discussions took place. Latest news is that it is confirmed, especially after Pres Roh's China visit.

This clearly shows that Nations work on economic interactions with each other while, simultaneously building up their militaries. Part of human nature, I guess

[17th Miss Regt]

That capability is likely to draw protests from China, North Korea and South Korea, which were invaded by Japan during World War II.

Bad history. Korea was a Japanese possession before World War II and China was invaded after the Manchurian incident in 1931. This type of poor historical research is what I would expect from something like the New York Times, not a respectable paper.

[Pyro7480]

As the Japanese (quoting Bush) like to say recently, "Kakkate Koi!" (Bring it on!) Bring it on China!