Posted on 02/03/2013 10:29:10 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
How so?
That is not all they lie about. And they do it so smoothly. Obfuscation is their stock in trade. Never ever trust a Japanese manager to tell you the truth about their manufacturing operations, their metrics or their systems. Almost down to what is is. They also drink to excess frequently. I could go on and on. Talking about Japanese from Japan not Americans of Japanese descent.
Yes, it was one of the conditions of the surrender. Mac Arthur, who pretty much wrote the Japanese constitution stipulated not only samurai swords except for ceremonial purposes but many other. things as well. I sometimes wonder if he did that for the hundreds, if not thousands of American soldiers put to death by that thing. Fire arms trump every thing but that bloody sword is in a league all it’s own. It’s the Tiger Tank in the world of swords. It is also the epitome of the samurai, sworn and honor bound to fight and die for the emperor. Mac Arthur also implemented changes revamping the politics of the state, free speech a free press and turning the Japanese Navy to a coastal defense force and the once Imperial Japan Army to a self-defense force incapable of conducting offense war out side it’s borders .
They are a “self defense” force in name only. They have quietly built carriers, bought aerial refuelers and built up their forces. They have an offensive capability on par with other nations that are not restricted. They also have a decent fleet of diesel subs.
Check out their “destroyers”, they are actually USN crusiser size.
USN Ticonderoga Class Guided Missile cruiser,full load 9600 tons
JMSDF Kongo Class “Destroyer”, full load 9500 tons
Both have basically the same equipment as they use US weapons systems.
Last time I checked the Japanese can project force 1000 miles from the homeland. That aint too shabby.
I didn’t know that. They must be worried about China.
China is a concern plus they don’t know what the US will do in the area. The “self defense” posture was just to appease all the other countries in the area that they ran over during WW2.
Japan is one big factory so they have a large fleet of merchant shipping and shipping lanes they have to protect in the event of any hostilities.
They currently have four helicopter carriers, 19,000 tons
These can easily be converted for fixed wing and they will be buying the F35 which comes in a short take off model. Perfect to operate off a small deck carrier. These will replace the Marines Harriers.
They have underway replenishment for the fleet.
The Air Self Defense Force (air force) has four 767 tankers and they have un-modified their F4s to take on fuel in flight(air refuel doors were welded shut). The F15 and F2 (local flavor F16) are air refuel capable.
They also have four E767 AWACS, airborne radar to complement the older E2s.
They have two new airframes flying. One cargo, looks like a twin engined C141, and one to replace their P3s. We are still messing around with that one, the P8.
Their main battle tank is on par with the M1 and Leopard 2. Same gun. They also have the ability to coordinate attacks so that all tanks can hit a single target.
They have space launch capability.
If they go head to head with a lot of countries they will be able to hold their own. They are equal to the what is left of the Brits forces except the Brits have the advantage in having nukes and nuke subs.
24 years old, never drove a car. So we went out in the county and I let her drive my car for a while. Kept having to slow her down.
Took her to see the Thunderbirds at Moody AFB, that was cool for me and her.
Stuff like that.
btt
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.