Japanese lawmakers approve deployment of troops to Iraq

iht.com ^ | Friday, July 4, 2003 | Compiled by Our Staff From Dispatches AP, Reuters

[Destro]

Japanese lawmakers approve deployment of troops to Iraq

Compiled by Our Staff From Dispatches AP, Reuters

Friday, July 4, 2003

TOKYO The lower house of Parliament on Friday approved the biggest overseas troop deployment by Japan since World War II, passing a law that allows the government to send soldiers to help rebuild Iraq.

Japanese troops would serve in a noncombat role, mainly transporting supplies and ammunition. The move would deliver on a pledge that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi made in May to President George W. Bush.

Japanese news organizations have reported that the government intends to send about 1,000 troops to Iraq as early as October.

[Destro]

I wonder if Japan is also eager to follow Germany's steps in recharging its military?

The Germans used peacekeeping as an excuse to slowly get the German people used to seeing their military in combat roles. Bosnia's missions were baby steps in that direction. It even got the ultra socialist German Greens to agree to those missions.

So is Japan also looking to do the same, especially with the potential threats from North Korea? The first steps toward a resurgent Japanese military posture?

I like to make people think outside the box.

[Cicero]

Japan is more dependent on Middle Eastern oil than any other country. They have been very careful historically not to damage their access. They could have gotten involved militarily in other places, but they must have reached a decision that doing this would help, rather than harm, their future ability to satisfy their oil needs.

[Destro]

That is also an excellent point.

[El Sordo]

Seems plausible.

Though I was always more of a Zartan fan, myself.

[Destro]

As long as it was a Cobra character!

[MJY1288]

That's a good question, Have you ever been to Japan? I have, and I believe they will never return to the people they once were. The Japanese people are a capitalist society focused on education and work ethics today. Before WWII they answered to the state and had no idea what self determination was. The Japanese will continue to be our friends and they depend upon us to defend them, and we will.

[Capt. Tom]

Japan is more dependent on Middle Eastern oil than any other country. They have been very careful historically not to damage their access.

Agreed. The Japanese would now be in he position in Iraq of saying.="Hey we didn't bomb you or shoot up your country. We are here to help you out. We know all about being bombed by Americans." Your lucky. We got nuked!" "We want to help you rebuild, and get back on your oil..er.. feet." - Tom

[Destro]

While I have never been to Japan I have Japanese relatives that live there. If you read my statement in a way as to make you think I meant a rebirth of the Japanese empire--that was not my intention nor is it possible for Japan to pull off-which the Japanese also know.

[sushiman]

" Have you ever been to Japan? I have, and I believe they will never return to the people they once were. "

I have lived in Japan for 17 years .

" The Japanese people are a capitalist society focused on education and work ethics today. Before WWII they answered to the state and had no idea what self determination was. The Japanese will continue to be our friends and they depend upon us to defend them, and we will."

THE STATE ...ahh yes ...now known as the Liberal Democratic Party ...The people will do as they are told , for the most part anyway ... The Japanese will continue to be " friends " with the USA as long as it is in their best interest to do so ... They'll be first in line to stab us in the back once we have gone the way ancient Rome went ... Mark my words ...

[Destro]

It was not I that said those words but I agree with your general thrust. Alliances between nations are based on common interests. The Japanese Empire of old and America got along famously in the arly part of the 20th century. All those cherry blossoms in Washington D.C. were a gift from the Japanese a few decades before WW2.

When the Japanese went into a part of the world where our 2 nation's interests collided--China - our relationship soured.

We see such a divergence with Turkey over Iraq. It is the nature of things.

[MJY1288]

No, I didn't take your question that way at all, I thought it was a good question. I just think Japan will remain in their currant military posture. I think they trust us to come to their defense and they are willing to help us in our efforts any way they can.

My father spent some time in Japan after WWII and he told me several times over the years before he passed away that the Japanese were extremely surprised and greatful that we were not going to rule over them after they surrendered.

One of the terms of their surrender was that they were not to build up their miltary to the levels they were before WWII. The Japanese have never violated any of the terms they signed on to and my best bet is that they will continue at their current military posture and depend on us to defend them.

North Korea will implode before much longer IMHO, it may take 6 months or 6 years, but their days are numbered. No matter how crazy Kim Jong ill might be, he isn't going to launch a Nuke against anyone. I have a friend serving on the Carl Vincient in the Sea of Japan right now and they are there to keep an eye on N. Korea and they are loaded for Bear, if you know what I mean :-). We have several bombers in Guam and if the N. Korea launches any kind of attack, they will be toast

[MJY1288]

Thanks for sharing your opinion of the Japanese, I was only a tourist and never lived there. Since you lived there I can't argue with you at all. I hope we remain friends with Japan and we don't go the way of Rome :-)

[Destro]

I agree that North Korea is more bark than bite. The aftermath of the North's fall may be messy.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #1

Japanese ruling elites have been along this path for a long time. The idea of scrapping defense-only posture has been first floated publicly in early 90's by figures like Ozawa Ichiro. It is just that they could not find a good rationale to rally Japanese population behind their idea. Kim Jong-il's petulant rant gave more than what these elites hoped for. Now, they will be able to do it in one quick step rather than taking several baby steps because they could be within the range of N. Korean nuclear missiles pretty soon.

Japanese military will be better armed and more aggressive than Germans. For one thing, it has better projection power thanks to its large high tech navy, which Germans do not have.

[MJY1288]

The aftermath of any fallen nation is always messy. But when the fall leads to freedom, it's usually fast and lasting.

When I look back on my childhood days in public school having to jump from behind my desk and tuck my head between my legs in a drill to prepare us for the possibility of Nuclear War with the Soviet Union, I can't help but see how far we have come since then. Just 30 years ago, Communism was spreading like a wild fire across the planet. In the past 20 years we have witnessed Communist domination decline at the fastest rate of any form of government in the histroy of the world.

Sure we face a threat from terrorist groups all over the planet, but their days are numbered as well. In my lifetime I have seen communism defeated by freedom loving people, and I believe the terrorist will share in their fate

[rmlew]

I would preffer that they expidite purchases of their F-2 bomber, build some more Kongo class destroyers, and beef up their missle defense. We need their help for North Korea.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #16

When those weapons are ready for use, N. Korea may have gone already. They are more likely to be used against China, which could worry China for no end.

[bonesmccoy]

GAMBATTE!

[Destro]

You know that Chinese saying--be careful what you wish for...China is no big ally of North Korea. It would cost China nothing to flood the North with rice but she doesn't. China is worried that the North would fall and that the Americans would then have an army on the Chinese border.

Wanna bet a cup of coffee that if the North fell we would still be deployed in Korea?

If we stay we could be helping create our own next huge crisis.

[Destro]

China is no big ally of North Korea. It would cost China nothing to flood the North with rice but she doesn't....China needs North Korea dependent and on a leash--but the leash may snap....