Japan set for military expansion

[woody60707]

I kind of saw this as a long time comming. So now is the US going to be fine with Japan changing its constitution?

 

[ParkCungHee]

I should dearly hope so.

 

[Ramius75]

They haven't invaded Korea since Hideyoshi, they're not going to do in again.

Think you're reading the wrong history books...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korea_under_Japanese_rule

Beginning in the 1870s, Japan began to force Korea to move out of China's sphere of influence into its own. In 1895, Empress Myeongseong of Korea was assassinated by the Japanese under Miura Goro's directive (Kim et al. 1976).[11] After the Sino-Japanese and the Russo-Japanese War, Japan gained control of Korea. In 1910, Japan forced Korea to sign the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty, although executed by Korean ministers and advisors rather than the Korean head of state, the emperor.[12]

Korean resistance to Japanese brutal occupation was manifested in the massive March 1st Movement of 1919. This movement was suppressed by force and about 7,000 were killed by Japanese soldiers and police.[13] In Manchuria, Korean fighters engaged in frequent battles with the Japanese troops and tens of thousands of Koreans joined The National Revolutionary Army and The Peoples Liberation Army to fight against the Japanese, and in Shanghai, China, a Korean government in exile was formed.

For more than 30 years under the Japanese occupation, Korean culture and economy suffered heavy losses. The Korean language was banned and Koreans were forced to adopt Japanese names.[14] Numerous Korean cultural artifacts were destroyed or taken to Japan.[15] To this day, valuable Korean artifacts can often be found in Japanese museums or among private collectors.

During World War II, Koreans were forced to support the Japanese war effort. Tens of thousands of men [16] were conscripted into Japan's military. Approximately 200,000 girls and women [17], mostly from Korea and China, were conscripted as sex slaves, euphemistically called "comfort women".[18]

Anti-Japanese sentiment is still fairly strong in Korea, as a result of Japanese war crimes and continuing Korean-Japanese disputes.

 

[brennan]

Rofl. Vegetius http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetius said it a LONG time before Metallica. I worry about our youth today. Truly I do.

I suspected that may be true, but thought the cheap gag was worth it. Incidentally he seems not to have said exactly that, so it would be more accurate to say it was a Metallica quote.

Anyway, I apologise for my sinful lack of knowledge of 4th century military writers, I shall go and disembowel myself for the dishonor I bring to my family...

Oh...and since you attributed it to Metallica...I guess it explains a lot about YOU.

Are you trying to get personal MB? I am deeply shocked. Hows the Alzheimers old man? Have you mastered that calculator yet?

 

[ParkCungHee]

Think you're reading the wrong history books...

Japan certainly seized Korea, but it did not invade it. It annexed it. But the Japanese never defeated Korea in an invasion. They fear teh turtle boats!

 

[Ramius75]

Back to the topic,

I dont really trust the japanese, but i do understand how easily it is for a leader to unite its country under nationalism. A Strong Japanese military will be able to counter and contain some threats but also secured resources around its region.

China, Korea, Russia and Phillipine are all under the threat but im sure the nationalistic leader will adopt a more hardline policy against China to shove up nationalism.

 

[Ramius75]

Japan certainly seized Korea, but it did not invade it. It annexed it. But the Japanese never defeated Korea in an invasion. They fear teh turtle boats!

Whats the logic behind that ??? Seize/annex =/ Invasion ?? So u mean its ok to expolit Korea if its Annexed but not invaded ??

 

[ParkCungHee]

Whats the logic behind that ??? Seize/annex =/ Invasion ?? So u mean its ok to expolit Korea if its Annexed but not invaded ??

I'm not saying its okay, but that the last successful military invasion of Korea was by the Mongols. I say this not as to forgive the Japanese, but as a point of honor for the Koreans.

 

[Ramius75]

I'm not saying its okay, but that the last successful military invasion of Korea was by the Mongols. I say this not as to forgive the Japanese, but as a point of honor for the Koreans.

So whats ur opinion that Militarised Japan attempt a "pre-emptive" strike on North Korea Nuclear facility ? Based on no evidence of a Korea invasion ?

 

[luiz]

China has no reason to feel threatned, they have nukes and nobody would even dream of invading them nowadays.

The chinese rulers wan't to keep Japan dismarmed not because they fear for the security of their nation, but because they want to be the only strong country in the Far East.

 

[Ramius75]

China has no reason to feel threatned, they have nukes and nobody would even dream of invading them nowadays.

The chinese rulers wan't to keep Japan dismarmed not because they fear for the security of their nation, but because they want to be the only strong country in the Far East.

True to an extend but i think the real logic of such militarism is that to shove up the nationalist in winning the polls. Its a very dangerous attempt thou as we seen in pre WWII, Germany and Italy and many many other places.

 

[Oruc]

China is the country to fear in east Asia

 

[ParkCungHee]

So whats ur opinion that Militarised Japan attempt a "pre-emptive" strike on North Korea Nuclear facility ? Based on no evidence of a Korea invasion ?

If they have strong evidence of the North Koreans preparing to use nuclear weapons on Japan, more power to them, and the RoK should see that as a good thing, not as a bad. Remember that Kim Jong-Il has threatened to turn Seoul into a "Sea of Fire". Its the north they should be worried about, but instead president Roh is content to lash out at Japan and America.

 

[Ramius75]

If they have strong evidence of the North Koreans preparing to use nuclear weapons on Japan, more power to them, and the RoK should see that as a good thing, not as a bad. Remember that Kim Jong-Il has threatened to turn Seoul into a "Sea of Fire". Its the north they should be worried about, but instead president Roh is content to lash out at Japan and America.

Ya, provided there are strong evidence... but what it turn out to be another WMD fiasco ??

I think president Roh does have a more pacist approach to NK. Not that i that i think its good, but relationship with NK will not be easy and Kim jong II is still young and have many years to live on. Things are getting better anyway.

The problem with Roh lashing out on Japan and America is the same, nationalism. As Japan doesnt see the needs to rely on America, South Korea wants to do the same too. But not letting Korea see as an American Lapdog.

 

[GenMarshall]

China is the country to fear in east Asia

Lets see, countries that we should fear that are on the Asian Contenent:

Iran
China
North Korea
Pakistan

any others?

 

[Evie]

I'm concerned.

Not so much with Japan rearming itself, but with japanesse hypernationalism being resurgent. One of the last thing we need is Japan developing rogue-ish tendencies.

In a country with Japan's political system, it's worrisome. We're talking about what's virtually a one-party system : out of 51 years of existence, the Liberal-Democrat Party (which, unlike what our american posters might think seeing its name, is actually quite to the right as far as noteworthy japanesse parties go) have held power for 48, where the mainstream press, though free, simply prefers to wait on government official statements.

THAT said, there are definitely worse countries out there.

 

[Dann]

I feel that they're going about this the wrong way. Japan is the one nation in the world that can actually have its cake and eat it too. The current set-up is that Japan can only maintain Self-Defense Forces with a budget limited to 1% of its GNP, but its huge economy means that in real dollar terms the JSDF is the 6th largest military spender in the world. Its equipment is state of the art and its training is top notch. Most other countries "proper" militaries will be put to shame if compared with this "mere defensive force".

http://www.answers.com/topic/japan-self-defense-forces

The way I see it, Japan should capitalize on its friendliness with the West, their mutual fear of China, the West's lingering feelings of guilt at having nuked Japan and its current image of "helplessness" in order to achieve real military build-up without causing political waves. Amending the constitution, renaming the JSDF etc. are all extremely public moves guaranteed to cause reactions. They should just upgrade the JSDF silently without further fuss. After all with the proper wording and description anything (yes even carriers) can be a defensive weapon.

 

[ParkCungHee]

But at least half the reason of having a military is for it to be known, in order to invoke fear. That way your military force is unlikely to be tested.

 

[Dann]

Trust me, they are already feared.

Nation's militaries routinely spy on each other.

 

[FriendlyFire]

Get Nukes already restore the balance of power to Asia.
== less chance of direct conventional war.