Militarizing Japan Frightens Allies

RealClearWorld.com (via Korea Times) ^ | July 5, 2012 | Donald Kirk

[Olog-hai]

Since the end of World War II, the U.S. has managed to hold revanchist Japanese military aims in check while the Japanese pursued economic success. The rise of China, however, poses a threat that Japanese militarists believe requires a response. Would a military build-up be what’s needed to jumpstart the stagnating Japanese economy? …

Then there’s the historic question of the era of Japanese colonialism and militarism. Those days may be long gone, but the memory lingers on. Fears of a Japanese renaïssance as an aggressive imperial power won’t go away. Under the circumstances, it’s easy to understand widespread worries in South Korea about the negative implications of a pact under which Japan and South Korea would exchange military intelligence information. …

[Olog-hai]

The Korea Times article is titled Balancing Forces in the Pacific.

[Eye of Unk]

I for one would support an invasion by the Japanese if their goals were to restore the proper leadership of America.

Why not? America has invaded other countries, its called fair play baby

And I bet it could even have good consequences, Japan removes Obama and sends him and all communists to prison, restores order in the heart of America and definitely strikes down Obamataxcare.

Granted we may lose hawaii in the deal but I would say it would be worth it.

[Gay State Conservative]

Japan has very good reason be to very frightened of two of her neighbors,both ruled by psychopaths and both believing (with or without justification) that they have major matters to "settle" with her.

[Yorlik803]

Its about time the Japanese started taking part in the defence of their country. I don’t blame because the USA has a nastya habit of backstabbing allies.

[central_va]

The “Japan” card. And it is time to play it.

[AFreeBird]

I don’t think the Navy would be too happy about losing a major strategic base in the middle of the Pacific.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The Japanese government does “take part.”
They pay for the cost of American bases, soldiers and sailors stationed in japan.

[varon]

I for one would support an invasion by the Japanese if their goals were to restore the proper leadership of America.

Why not? America has invaded other countries, its called fair play baby.

It's also called outsourcing ;-)

[Vaquero]

The japs during the 30s and 40s were a horrible aggressor nation. My dad fought them across the Pacific as they needed a whoopin’.

The Chinese spit in our face after the war. ...After we saved their sorry a$$es. They and the N Korans are the aggressor nations and I support the Japanese building up their military both to have a strong ally and to be able to pull our own troops back from that area so we can stage them in other hotspots

[VanDeKoik]

“Militarizing Japan Frightens Allies”

Sorry, but get over it.

I’d rather have the return of the Japanese military of old, just without the need to rape, invade, and be imperialistic, than a prostate island of people that spend most of their time buying gadgets and watching weird anime.

[Eye of Unk]

I would theorize a military strategy of a Japanese invasion force slipped into America, in coalition with un-named resources procures equipment and physically removes Obama from office.

An excellant Tom Clancy style of a techno-thriller.

Except in this case the Japanese are fighting FOR America to restore capitalism, free trade and Constitutional laws.

A socialist America does no good for Japan, a thriving free America can revitalize Japan.

[Olog-hai]

What makes you think that such a military as you hope to come to be would materialize?

[aruanan]

I’d rather have the return of the Japanese military of old, just without the need to rape, invade, and be imperialistic, than a prostate [sic] island of people that spend most of their time buying gadgets and watching weird anime.

Very weird characterization. Should have read:

I’d rather have a prostrate island of people that spend most of their time buying gadgets and watching weird anime than the return of the invading, raping, imperialistic Japanese military of old.

I suppose it didn't occur to you that both are expressions of the same character, especially when you consider that the Japanese government pretends that its history of invading, raping, and imperialism didn't exist.

As demonstrated by a couple of Japanese girls who asked a Chinese friend of mine at a party which city in China he was from. They didn't even show a spark of recognition when I said, "Let's hope it wasn't Nanking." My Chinese friends, though, who were about the same age, did know.

[Olog-hai]

Why would they have such a goal? Would you really prefer that the USA be ruled by a foreign monarch again, but this time from the Chrysanthemum Throne . . . ?

[Eye of Unk]

The country of Japan is facing a terrible crisis right now, mostly from the tsunami. From what little I know of the warriors code, the honor of keeping “face” I would tend to see Japan taking an offensive stance somehow on an issue that would benefit them.

I am having a chuckle that anyone is actually thinking for a moment that Japan would invade the USA, restore proper leadership and everybody wins, they leave no demands except a bill for their efforts. obviously its lunacy only worthy of being in an anime film.

Would make for an awesome movie though.

[Little Ray]

Not to mention that their SDF is pretty well equipped!

[Olog-hai]

One thing that Hollywood does right is really good English dubs of anime. Nobody could beat the timing of Casey Kasem and Janet Waldo in their dub of Gatchaman (the Battle Of The Planets version).

[elcid1970]

“I’d rather have the return of the Japanese military of old.....than a prostate island of people that spend most of their time buying gadgets and watching weird anime.”

Interesting. I was in grade school when we were stationed there in the fifties. We were taught what was the best of Japan: art, haiku, contemplative Buddhism, rock gardens, folk tales, cuisine. All these were seen as a break from the grinding pace of work, rebuilding, & reindustrialization. Occasionally get away from the rat race, and meditate.

The seemier side we learned about later, epitomized at the time by the ubiquitous `pachinko parlors’ in the local towns. After a while, it seemed as though avoidance of personal corruption would be a daily struggle for any Japanese trying to maintain focus on the better things.

Of course, a renewal of `Bushido’ would set off alarms all across the Pacific. But there is something in my opinion to questing for a simpler life. Picking up a good book instead of video games, for example. Works wonders. There is also value in the military virtues as well.

But they’re going to have to come up with a better name for their military than “Japan Self Defense Force”. Really.

[Eye of Unk]

Unless its changed I thought it was the JSDF.

Oh they are very well equipped.

And they don’t let anyone know about it.

i could theorize that their equipment is several years ahead of whats currently considered the best.

[Eye of Unk]

I really enjoy good Japanese anime. Several of my favorites are Steamboy, Ghost in the Machine and such. Nothing in America comes close.

I remember back in the early 90’s when I rented the VHS anime and dubbing wasn’t always there, you get a different feel when its spoken in Japanese but with English captioning.