[AmericanInTokyo]

Japan has the capability, what with the JS Kongo, JS Chokai, JS Myoko, and in 2010 the JS Kirishima, (Konggo class AEGIS ships, etc), combined with their own PAC-3 missiles), and they are trained. highly motivated when it comes to defense of the mother island, and willing to use them against little Kim Jong Un), as well as Japan airborne defense system assets which can be deployed. DPRK better realize what they are playing with here, I don't know if junior in Pyongyang fully gets it yet, and considering possible assassination attempts on him, he is under the gun to do something dramatic to cement himself as a leader, even at 28 years old. This could be forseen as a component of dynastic regime change up there... I expect little cooperation from Obama to Japan on this issue, and if I must, I privately will tell all whom I can here to not rely on my own President, as much as it pains me as an American to say it. I will give them the straight line. Obama cannot be relied upon 100%, Japan (and South Korea), or more or less on their own.

[hoagy62]

Obama cannot be relied upon 100%, Japan (and South Korea), or more or less on their own.

I have a gut feeling the heads of both countries already are aware of that sad fact.

[mkjessup]

Greetings AiT!

Thanks as always for your ahead-of-the-curve reports on events like this, have you picked up on a general mood shift in the overall public perception of these developments? In less fancy-speak, "how are the natives?"

And a very slight edit to your words, hope you don't mind?

Obama cannot be relied upon 100% [not even 10%, mkj], Japan (and South Korea), or more or less on their own.

Take care, stay safe!

[Truth29]

"Obama cannot be relied upon 100%, Japan (and South Korea), or more or less on their own."

Obama can be 100% relied upon to only do what most advantages himself personally as well as his fellow travelers. That usually means betraying the friends of the US and helping its enemies.

[Ronin]

AIT, by this time, I am sure the Japanese and Korean leaders have figured out just exactly how useless Obama is.

I personally do not think the US/Japan Security Treaty would last another four years of Obama. My gut feeling is that they are only holding on to it now because they’re praying with their most private and desperate hopes that he is defeated in November.

If he wins, or if he remains in office by other means, the Japanese will start thinking pragmatically about coming to an understanding with China.

China could dangle some considerably tasty bait to lure the Japanese out of the American alliance. Would they be willing to? Would the Japanese go for it? Ask me again in November.

[matthew fuller]

"Obama cannot be relied upon 100%, Japan (and South Korea), or more or less on their own. "

I disagree- I think that obama CAN be relied on, 100%, to do whatever is in the WORST interests of the USA and it's allies. He is an enemy of the Constitution of the US, and it's citizenry.