Japan eyes bigger military as tension rises: report

reuteurs ^ | 6/23/09 | reuteurs

[Flavius]

A draft of Japan's new mid-term defense policy guidelines is calling for the reinforcement of military personnel and equipment in the face of growing regional tensions, Kyodo news agency said.

The draft, obtained by Kyodo, says Japan needs to reverse its policy of reducing its defense budgets in light of North Korea's missile launches and nuclear tests, as well as China's rise to a major military power, the news agency said.

[Thrownatbirth]

Maybe the NKs have awakened a sleeping giant.

[AU72]

Maybe the NKs have awakened a sleeping giant.

The second part from Yamamoto after Pearl Harbor:

"And filled him with a terrible resolve"

[GOPJ]

Remember how we felt when the Russians were putting nuclear bomb tipped missiles in Cuba? I suspect that's how the Japanese feel today...

[Tolkien]

The Japanese know they will get no help from the Obamanation so it's right they defend themselves.

[Ev Reeman]

Given the actions of North Korea and the non-action of President Obummer, I think it is in Japan’s best interests if they begin to remilitarize for their own good and personal safety.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

It will take a while to change Japan's generally suspicious view of its military. The head of the Japanese Defense Force takes the train to his duty station in civilian clothes.

[Costumed Vigilante]

Once Japan arms, China is *toast*...Again.

[Perdogg]

The Japanese GSDF, or Rikujō Jieitai, might have the technology, but their fighting ability is still 'A' league. Their basic infantry weapon is 20 years old. I am not sure what they did in Iraq.

[Perdogg]

Actually what we see now is reverse of what we saw in 1894.
The problem is there is little cooperation between Japan and her neighbors.

It wouldn’t take a week for the PLA to take Tokyo.

[Perdogg]

[noah]

Giving Japan a larger role in the defence of Asia will quickly put China & North Korea in their place.
I just saw the movie Nanking.
The Japanese can be furious warriors.

[exist]

I would hate to being responsible for drafting soldiers in Japan everyone’s got Pink Hair and 10 cell phones.

[gaijin]

Prrrrrrrofouuuuuuudnly unsurprising......!!!

Look for MUCH MORE...!

GOING TO GET COMPLICATED NOW...!!

[VanDeKoik]

WW2 ended a long time ago.

It was absolutely short-sighted to have built-in this stupid notion that Japan could not have a military beyond simple local defense.

[Perdogg]

Totally different situation.

It's not hard beating a country who had no central leadership and half the country addicted to opium.

Today, There is no way Japan could take on Switzerland.

You have to understand, there are 2.2 million soldiers underarms in China, 1.2 million in North korea.

[Perdogg]

unfortunately, that was MacArthur's fault.

[seatrout]

Fine by me. Uncle Sam has been doing the heavy lifting for way too long.

[Ev Reeman]

Truman wouldn’t allow MacArthur to go in there and kick some red chinese butt. And back then we had the manpower to do it too. While I think Truman was one of the very few good democratic presidents, his decision on this was wrong and short-sighted,

[uncommonsense]

Time for Japan to buy a couple doZen F22’s from us.