Japan mulls preemptive stike on N Korea missile bases(gloves off?)

Hindustan Times ^ | 07/10/06

[TigerLikesRooster]

Japan mulls preemptive stike on N Korea missile bases

Associated Press

Tokyo, July 10, 2006

Japan is considering whether a preemptive strike on North Korean missile bases would be an acceptable form of self-defence under the pacifist Japanese constitution, the government spokesman said on Monday.

"If we accept that there is no other option to prevent an attack ... there is the view that attacking the launch base of the guided missiles is within the constitutional right of self-defence.

We need to deepen discussion," Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said. Abe added that the ruling party might take up the matter internally.

Japan's Constitution currently bars the use of military force in settling international disputes and prohibits Japan from maintaining a military for warfare.

Tokyo, however, has interpreted that to mean it can have armed troops to protect itself.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Monday that the international community must be united in saying that North Korea's missiles launches last Wednesday were wrong, a news report said.

Koizumi told an internal Liberal Democratic Party committee that Japan was working at the UN Security Council to produced a unified global response, Kyodo News agency reported.

"We are responding (to the launches) at the UN Security Council in a way that will enable the international community to unite and say that 'it's wrong for you do such a thing," Koizumi told members of his Liberal Democratic Party, Kyodo News agency reported.

Japan is pushing a UN resolution condemning North Korea for the launches and imposing sanctions on the communist nation.

On Sunday, Defense Agency Chief Fukushiro Nukaga told reporters that Japan needs to move forward on debate over whether having first-strike capabilities would still be within the bounds of the constitution, a news report said.

"It's only natural as an independent country that people should think we ought to have some minimal capability within a fixed framework," Nukaga said, according to Kyodo News agency.

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has long pushed for a constitutional revision to make it easier for its military to fight if the country came under attack.

Tokyo currently interprets the constitution in a way that allows the existence of its 240,000-strong Self-Defence Forces.

[keats5]

I'm thinking WWIII has already begun. Hostilities will continue to escalate until it becomes painfully obvious. Years later, historians will try to pinpoint when WWIII began, and settle on a specific occurrence like the Cole bombing, 911, or the invasion of Afghanistan. Only time will tell.

[keats5]

U R 2 funy!

[The Red Zone]

Scientists have known for years that being a woman is more than carrying around a vagina, or a man a penis.

[knyteflyte3]

[nopardons]

ROTFLOL

[PghBaldy]

I wish that were possible. I fear that because of SK's stupidity (AKA Sunshine Policy), they would not keep the peace. NK would feel more free to misbehave. They're bad enough now.

[Heatseeker]

We are constantly told how large and powerful the DPRK's ground forces are, and on paper at least I don't doubt it. However, I don't believe they have had any real combat in a half-century now.

This leads me to a question hopefully someone out there can answer. During the Vietnam War, the ROK promised and contributed a large force (3 divisions according to some sources) to assist the US and South Vietnamese military efforts; and I distinctly remember the DPRK promising to match any contribution of troops of the ROK's with its own to the NVA government. My question is: did they actually do it? What was the combat experience/effectiveness of the DPRK troops if so?

[Mr. K]

DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!! DO IT!!

[Mr. K]

The country is MORE THAN ready for a wopman president- I dont even think of it as an issue- I would vote for Condi any day, or any one of a number of conservative women (Run Ann Coulter!!!)

[MediaMole]

The precipitating event was the return of Khomeini to Iran. Much like Germany dropping Lenin back into Russia during WWI started the Cold War. We will see an ugly, vicious war.

Iran, Lebanon, Somalia and the current spasm by the left over Iraq have shown our enemies that we are weak.

The barbarian hordes are on the march and there are too many in the US and Europe who say we need to understand them rather than kill them.

[nedlbndr]

<> A strong AMEN!!

[AmericanInTokyo]

Somebody's kinda' ANGRY these days...........

[tobyhill]

If Japan doesn't do a preemptive strike then any "test" by NK could just be a cover for a real nuclear strike on Tokyo.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I'm not necessarily "gunning" for Japan to rearm, but with China acting increasingly aggressive and their client state trying to intimidate Japan, it may backfire on them. One unintended consequence may be a decision by Japan that they cannot rely on the United States nuclear umbrella anymore.

[monkeywrench]

Bull. They've seen the intel to know what the chicoms have planned for the area. They fear the commies far more. They all need to arm up more, not just Japan.

[garyhope]

I'm ready for Jeanne Kirkpatrick to be President right now.

[garyhope]

I'm ready for Jeanne Kirkpatrick to be President right now.