[Vigilanteman]

Ochiai is an intelligent man. The headline is either a misread or a mistranslation. What is should read is that following Iraq, the U.S. may encourage Japan, one of our leading albeit nonmilitary supporters, to join with the western allaince in forming an alternative to the United Nations, an internaional organization of free countries who share our values. Without the dues and international contributions of the AUN, the UN would sink further into irrelavance.

[MEG33]

Exactly.

[Red Dog #1]

I absolutely agree with you except for one thing. Japan already has a much larger and extremely professional military than many appreciate. I’m pretty sure their military spending is the 4th highest in the world. The biggest holes in their military are an inability to project power beyond Japan (i.e. Air/sea lift and air refueling). In a very short time they could be on par with Britain. The only thing lacking is political will on their part at this time.