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I agree. We need to start thinking of giving Japan back some of the military powers the lost in 1945 to counter the growing NK menace.

We're still footing most of the bill for Japan's defense, althought the Self Defense Force could easily be fleshed out into a top of the line military.

Disarming Japan made sense 60 years ago, but times have changed. They're being threatened by the North Koreans, and they need options that extend past asking Uncle Sam for help. Plus, without Japan as a counterweight to China, the PRC will become as dangerous as Imperial Japan ever was. They are natural competitors, and will help balance out the region, rather than make it an attractive target for Chinese aggression.

Plus, without Japan as a counterweight to China, the PRC will become as dangerous as Imperial Japan ever was. They are natural competitors, and will help balance out the region, rather than make it an attractive target for Chinese aggression.

I agree with you. Things have changed since WWII. Japan is one of best allies in the world. Having Japan allowed to rearm ,it It would also free up U.S. troops who are still in Okinawa and deploy them somewhere else. The Japanese have the money,technical aptitude and the industrial base to build a very impressive military. But, I think that there should be a clause in any rearmament agreement between the U.S. and Japan that the U.S. still remain to be consulted on any operation. Too many people in Asia still have bitter memories of the brutality of the Imerial Japanese Army.