Japan to be a Military power again?
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continued from above post
REFERENCES
[1] Brian Walsh, "The Abe Enigma," Time: Asia Edition, Sept. 11, 2006.
[2] Hans Greimel, "Japan's Abe: an enigma wrapped in a shadow," The Seattle Times, Sept. 25, 2006.
[3] Bruce Wallace, "Japan Sees Genes of a Leader in a Grandson," Los Angeles Times, Sept. 19, 2006.
[4] Reiji Yoshida, "Abe looking to beef up defense posture," Japan Times, Sept. 7, 2006.
[5] Norimitsu Onishi, "Japan's Likely Next Premier in Hawkish Stand," The New York Times, Sept. 2, 2006.
[6] Anthony Faiola, "Japan's Abe, Poised to Lead, Offers Nation Vision of Pride," The Washington Post, Sept. 19, 2006.
[7] "Abe was born to become a prime minister," Mainichi Daily News, Sept. 21, 2006.
[8] "Mr. Abe's worrisome plan for Japan," Japan Times, Sept. 21, 2006.
[9] Kyoko Hasegawa, "Japan's Abe seeks White House style administration," Agence France Presse, Sept. 22, 2006.
[10] Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan, 1946.
[11] U.S.-Japan Alliance: Transformation and Realignment for the Future, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA), Oct. 29, 2005.
[12] "Committing to U.S. strategy," Japan Times, May 5, 2006.
[13] Emilie Guyonnet, "Japanese military ambitions," Le Monde diplomatique, April 2006.
[14] John Junkerman and Gavan McCormack, "Japan's Political and Constitutional Crossroads," ZNet, July 31, 2006.
[15] Gavan McCormack and Wada Haruki, "The Strange Record of 15 Years of Japan-North Korea Negotiations," Japan Focus, Sept. 2, 2005.
[16] Wada Haruki, "Recovering a Lost Opportunity: Japan-North Korea Negotiations in the Wake of the Iraqi War," Sekai (translated by Mark Caprio for Japan Focus), May 3, 2003.
[17] Wakamiya Yoshibumi, "The Postwar Conservative View of Asia: How the Political Right Has Delayed Japan's Coming to Terms With its History of Agression in Asia," LTCB International Library Foundation, Asahi Shimbun Publishing Company, 1999.
[18] William Underwood, "NHK's Finest Hour: Japan's Official Record of Chinese Forced Labor," Japan Focus, Aug. 8, 2006.
[19] William Underwood, "The Japanese Court, Mitsubishi and Corporate Resistance to Chinese Forced Labor Redress," Japan Focus, March 29, 2006.
[20] Richard J. Samuels, "Kishi and Corruption: An Anatomy of the 1955 System," Japan Policy Research Institute Working Paper No. 83, Dec. 2001.
[21] Michael Schaller, "America's favorite War Criminal: Kishi Nobusuke and the Transformation of U.S.-Japan Relations," in Japan Policy Research Institute Working Paper No. 11, July 1995.
[22] Chalmers Johnson, "The 1955 System and the American Connection: A Bibliographic Introduction," in Japan Policy Research Institute Working Paper No. 11, July 1995.
[23] "Bonus to Be Wisely Spent," Time, Jan. 25, 1960.
[24] Honda Masakazu and Takada Makoto, "LDP pressure led to cuts in NHK show," Asahi shimbun, Jan. 12, 2005.
[25] Gavan McCormack, "War and Japan's Memory Wars," ZNet, January 29, 2005.
[26] Article 3 of the Broadcast Law, May 2, 1950.
[27] "NHK censored TV show due to political pressure," Japan Times, Jan. 14, 2005.
[28] "Slave wages: The long fight for compensation for wartime slave labour," The Economist, March 30, 2006. -
sigh, another case of balance of power turning into balance of terror...Originally posted by fallin:Wouldn't a simultaneous rise of both powers be most benefical for the region? Undoubtedly, a bipolar region with 2 powers actively competing with each other would have its risks but won't you agree such a situation would prevent any one power from dominating the smaller countries like Singapore? I for one, do not wish to see SEA become a Chinese Eastern Europe.
But definitely China poses more threat to us than the Japanese, one of the reason why FPDA was set up in the first place. -
Huh?Originally posted by chillycraps:sigh, another case of balance of power turning into balance of terror...
But definitely China poses more threat to us than the Japanese, one of the reason why FPDA was set up in the first place.
Why is China a threat to Singapore?
Tell us, perhaps you know something we don't. -
I think.. USA , Indonesia and Malaysia is a bigger threat to us than China.
USA is a friend to us now.. but it's all about their interest.. and their interest changes with each Presidential administration... and we are expected to be submissive and obey most of their pressures... and when we don't ??? that's becomes an issue..spreading democracy or freedom ? Not too difficult to media spin it ...
When Japan becomes a military power.. I suspect they would be no different from the US British lapdog..
Nice wouldn't it.. one in EU and another one in Asia.. -
So it is in our interest that PNAC and the Carlyle Group has its members running America?Originally posted by MobyDog:I think.. USA , Indonesia and Malaysia is a bigger threat to us than China.
USA is a friend to us now.. but it's all about their interest.. and their interest changes with each Presidential administration... and we are expected to be submissive and obey most of their pressures... and when we don't ??? that's becomes an issue..spreading democracy or freedom ? Not too difficult to media spin it ...
When Japan becomes a military power.. I suspect they would be no different from the US British lapdog..
Nice wouldn't it.. one in EU and another one in Asia..
Since when did a bit more freedom and democracy become anathema? If it takes international pressure to force the blind folks upstairs to wake up their idea, I'd say go for it.
We are deluding ourselves and weakening Singapore in the long run if we don't pay heed to international voices. -
maybe this thinking is a bit outdated, but during the early days of independent Singapore there was really a threat of red storm wiping out the whole SE Asia, China from the North and ahem Indonesia from the South. That's why an important feature of the FPDA is the Integrated Air Defence System (IADS) which is based in Butterworth, under the command of an Aussie general with staffs from all 5 powers.Originally posted by moca:Huh?
Why is China a threat to Singapore?
Tell us, perhaps you know something we don't.
As for more recent, the Spratly Islands provide some reasons for conflict.
well yah agree too, there's no permanent friends, no permanent enemies, just permanent interest.Originally posted by MobyDog:I think.. USA , Indonesia and Malaysia is a bigger threat to us than China.
USA is a friend to us now.. but it's all about their interest.. and their interest changes with each Presidential administration... and we are expected to be submissive and obey most of their pressures... and when we don't ??? that's becomes an issue..spreading democracy or freedom ? Not too difficult to media spin it ...
When Japan becomes a military power.. I suspect they would be no different from the US British lapdog..
Nice wouldn't it.. one in EU and another one in Asia.. -
fallin, i totally agree with u
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I dont see how china is a threat to us... They look up to us Singaporeans alot. And I look up to them too because you have to admit they are really a great nation. How so? Ever since New China opened up in 1978, they have jumped many times in economical strength, their 5 year plans did work for the 3 main cities and it is really scary to see the rate of progress there. The real advantage we have now over them is really our language proficiency. As they start to pick up english, and they are at this very moment... oh dear for Singaporeans. Singapore as we all know has no resources but people, and people is something China doesnt lack.
Okay maybe i said too much but my point is, we really do not gain if we go against China. In fact we have alot to lose. I'd rather work with them than against them which is practically what all the MNCs are doing...
Idealogies aside, (actually they are not much different from Singapore) we are actually similar because of the basis of social responsibility and Asian Values just like China. They are no longer the typical stereotyped communists we all have in our heads. In fact, sometimes I can't help but feel we are even more conservative and 'closed up'. I may sound pro-china to you but really im just stating what i have seen and understood from my counterparts in china and simple studies i've done.
Anyway Japan CANNOT go nuclear. I don't think China will allow it. China has slammed NK for the nukes. It will cause massive political and military instability in the region if any other posseses nuclear arms.
Its interesting to note some of you guys view china's action as a failure. While i do not agree with you, i certainly do not say that you are wrong either. IMO, China has done pretty much the right thing. They got NK back to the talks. made them abandon their nuke programme. What's more? certainly for the moment this is sufficient. Japan's overreaction to the issue demanding Chapter 7 of the UN charter to be enforced was really extreme. I bet the Defcon then was like 2 or something... Imagine if they actually went through with it... SK will be wiped by 70,000 artillery pieces just because they get pissed off by the jap's suggestion and/or action. -
Originally posted by storm_freaky13:Singapore as we all know has no resources but people, and people is something China doesnt lack.
Originally posted by storm_freaky13:
I saw a Xinhua News Agency approved newsclip of recent meeting between ASEAN leaders and Chinese leaders. The newsclip took pains to feature the every handshake between each leader of an ASEAN country and the Chinese leader. This is a sign of respect, making sure no one is left out. They showed 2 different handshake occasions, and the order is different both times so that no favouritism is shown to any particular country.
Okay maybe i said too much but my point is, we really do not gain if we go against China. In fact we have alot to lose. I'd rather work with them than against them which is practically what all the MNCs are doing... [/b]
From the grovelling way ALL the ASEAN leaders are smiling as they greeted the Chinese leader, future conflicts with China is probably the last thing on their minds. They all see a big cake and are all wondering when the Chinese will throw us some crumbs.
I was actually quite shocked at this formal protocol of ASEAN leaders walking up one by one to shake the Chinese leader's hand, as opposed to the Chinese leader - being the host - walking up and shaking each ASEAN leader's hand.
It gave the feeling of lesser chiefs paying tribute to the big chief.Originally posted by storm_freaky13:
I live in Shanghai, and everything you said is quite true. All Chinese look slightly offended if you use the word "gong c(h)an" - communist - when you describe them or their country. In fact, this is a word best not used in social occasions. Most will privately tell you that the only thing communist about China is the Communist Party itself. Everyone else is just Chinese - Zhong Guo Ren - as defined by race and nationality - not politics.
Idealogies aside, (actually they are not much different from Singapore) we are actually similar because of the basis of social responsibility and Asian Values just like China. They are no longer the typical stereotyped communists we all have in our heads. In fact, sometimes I can't help but feel we are even more conservative and 'closed up'. I may sound pro-china to you but really im just stating what i have seen and understood from my counterparts in china and simple studies i've done.[/b]Originally posted by storm_freaky13:
If the Japs go nuclear, it will be the American's fault for letting it happen. The Americans have always supported countries or individuals with dubious agendas who later become a terror.
Anyway Japan CANNOT go nuclear. I don't think China will allow it. China has slammed NK for the nukes. It will cause massive political and military instability in the region if any other posseses nuclear arms.[/b]Originally posted by storm_freaky13:
There will always be some people whom feel that everything China does is wrong, bad, failure. China is no saint, nor is it a complete success as a nation. It had never been in history nor will it ever become a "perfect" nation. But historically, China had never been actively adventurous beyond its natural borders.
Its interesting to note some of you guys view china's action as a failure. While i do not agree with you, i certainly do not say that you are wrong either. IMO, China has done pretty much the right thing. They got NK back to the talks. made them abandon their nuke programme. What's more? certainly for the moment this is sufficient. Japan's overreaction to the issue demanding Chapter 7 of the UN charter to be enforced was really extreme. I bet the Defcon then was like 2 or something... Imagine if they actually went through with it... SK will be wiped by 70,000 artillery pieces just because they get pissed off by the jap's suggestion and/or action.[/b]
This is not to say they won't be.
But I can't see why a country with more than enough land, people and resources would risk war with ASEAN to... what ends?
Oil?
It is a hell lot cheaper in the long run - economically and politically - for them to buy the oil than to send a task force to invade, and then occupy a sovreign nation for its oil.
This is what Japan found out in WW2 that foreign land and oil eventually cost them their country and millions of lives. But that's because Japan at that time was run by short-sighted military men who knew shxt about economy. -
I'm not advocating that Japan gets nuclear weapons but the Cold War has already shown that the threat of nuclear weapons on both sides can be restraining factor. After all, since the advent of nuclear weapons, there has never been another major European war.Nuclear warfare is simply too painful and not worth the cost. Its good as a deterent but it is inconceivable that any rational leader would engage in nuclear warfare.
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yes, nuclear MAD was the reason why WW3 didn't breakout during the Cold War, but that was because the Soviets were still somewhat rational.... can't say the same for the short and fat Madman with the bad hairdo....Originally posted by fallin:I'm not advocating that Japan gets nuclear weapons but the Cold War has already shown that the threat of nuclear weapons on both sides can be restraining factor. After all, since the advent of nuclear weapons, there has never been another major European war.Nuclear warfare is simply too painful and not worth the cost. Its good as a deterent but it is inconceivable that any rational leader would engage in nuclear warfare. -
MAD as a nuclear deterrant strategy may work better with a nuclear Japan in conjunction with a growing nuclear China to restrain NK as a rogue state.
At least, it's not the USA that they will be dealing with when the crap hits the fan. It's one thing fashionable to decry imperialism, it's another to be facing two Asian nuclear powers in a showdown.
MAD is not dead, not yet.