[BroncosFan]

Japan just recently announced the start of a new "destroyer" program . . . destroyers with flattop decks. Basically, just another part of Koizumi's gradual reinterpretation of Japan's constitution. He seems to be going about it in a very, very clever manner in order to circumvent domestic doves. He just keeps the language as is and reads all the key terms in the most expansive way possible. Better than stirring up too many head-on fights, just do it and call it self-defense (joint exercises with India and Vietnam, patrols in the Straits, troops to Iraq, AWACs-type airborne radar ships, mid-air refueling). I say, go for it. The stronger our most important bilateral allies are, the better for us. Too bad Bush hasn't remedied Clinton's slight of spending 9 days in the PRC w/o even a courtesy call in Japan. Damn, that must've gotten under their polite skins! How rude.

[Modernman]

Japan just recently announced the start of a new "destroyer" program . . . destroyers with flattop decks.

They call everything a 'destroyer.' They'll eventually have 100,000 ton submersible ships that carry 80 aircraft and they'll still be calling them 'destroyers.'

When the Japanese buy American combat jets, they strip out all of the electronics and replace it with their own stuff. Wonder how much better their version of the F-15 is?

You think they'll have a "Nuclear Self-Defense Force" by the end of the decade? Or will they just rely on genetically engineered monsters created from DNA collected on Monster Island?

[GOP_1900AD]

They need to go like h$#* to prepare for what is coming. If they are depending on us, they are making a very big mistake.