Author Topic: Japan PM calls for defence review (Read 431 times)

soda72 · « **on:** May 03, 2007, 12:13:59 PM »

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6618119.stm

This doesn't come as a complete surprise with China testing shooting down satellites and North Korea testing nuclear bombs. However if they rewrite their "pacifist constitution" this may only give more incentive for China to build up military assets more quickly. Japan is in a bad spot... damned if they do damned if they don't...

Nilsen · « **Reply #1 on:** May 03, 2007, 01:06:45 PM »

It lead to an increased arms race in the region. Things are going on elsewere too that may shift fragile balances.

Pooh21 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 03, 2007, 02:04:39 PM »

If this brings us a step closer to Giant Robots, piloted by hot 17 y/o japanese girls in their underwear I am all for it.

Eagler · « **Reply #3 on:** May 03, 2007, 02:08:07 PM »

Japans defense just like the majority of the world is a direct line to the big White House in Washington DC

Yoshimbo · « **Reply #4 on:** May 03, 2007, 02:11:40 PM »

Quote

If this brings us a step closer to Giant Robots, piloted by hot 17 y/o japanese girls in their underwear I am all for it.

FrodeMk3 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 03, 2007, 02:36:01 PM »

Origanally posted by Eagler

Japans defense just like the majority of the world is a direct line to the big White House in Washington DC
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is where SEATO (South East Asia Treaty Organization) comes in. It's supposed to work like NATO. However, As you can tell by looking at a map of the region, there aren't that many aligned nations.

Rolex · « **Reply #6 on:** May 03, 2007, 05:49:48 PM »

It's just retroactive semantics that has been on the table for decades, mostly about the term "collective defense." Japan has the 4th largest defense budget in the world anyway.

If the implication is that Japan depends on the White House or the American taxpayer and military for its defense, that is either uninformed or naive. Japan does not think for a minute that the US will "defend" it from anyone. No country believes the US will defend them. In matters of might and money, all nations, including the US, act out of self interest. The US would have no presense in Japan if it were not for Japanese taxpayers footing the bill. The US can't afford it.

FiLtH · « **Reply #7 on:** May 03, 2007, 06:31:42 PM »

Read "The Coming War with Japan"

Its about 10yrs old or so now, its about how Japan cant rely on the US to protect it indefinately, and how it mobilizes. Geo-political stuff. It wasnt bad. I cant recall the author..its around here somewhere.

Pooh21 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 03, 2007, 06:33:54 PM »

both Coonts and Clancy wrote about wars with Japan proving if they dont have Mecha they lose. If Japan has mecha they always win. Rolex should pass that observation from this gaijin dog further up the chain of command.
build moar giant robots!:aok

Rolex · « **Reply #9 on:** May 03, 2007, 06:47:53 PM »

The Coming War with Japan proved two things. A sensational title will sell a book, regardless of how wrong the content is, and a collaboration between a political scientist and fiction writer will yield a political fiction.

Squire · « **Reply #10 on:** May 03, 2007, 06:57:02 PM »

Japan has the worlds 4th largest navy.

Despite its constitution it has a much more formidable armed forces than many nations in Europe or Asia.

In real dollars, its defence spending is also the 4th highest in the world, after the USA, China, and Russia.

culero · « **Reply #11 on:** May 03, 2007, 06:59:35 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Pooh21
If this brings us a step closer to Giant Robots, piloted by hot 17 y/o japanese girls in their underwear I am all for it.

Second the motion

1K3 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 03, 2007, 07:33:53 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Pooh21
If this brings us a step closer to Giant Robots, piloted by hot 17 y/o japanese girls in their underwear I am all for it.

了解!

lukster · « **Reply #13 on:** May 03, 2007, 08:49:05 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Rolex
Japan does not think for a minute that the US will "defend" it from anyone. No country believes the US will defend them.

History indicates otherwise and you have no evidence to support your claim. I'll grant that the US is somewhat unique in it's defense of others throughout the decades.

E25280 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 03, 2007, 08:55:18 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Squire
Japan has the worlds 4th largest navy.

Despite its constitution it has a much more formidable armed forces than many nations in Europe or Asia.

In real dollars, its defence spending is also the 4th highest in the world, after the USA, China, and Russia.

But if a Big Mac in Tokyo costs US$10.00, how much is that really?

All kidding aside, this is something I didn't know and wouldn't have guessed given their "pacifist" (or is it more accurately "pacified"?) reputation.