New US leaders need a Japanese 'jolt'

[ensho]

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/JJ23Dh01.html


As the world prepares for the election and inauguration of a new American administration, policymakers in Japan are thinking about ways their country can extend and reinforce the Japan-US strategic relationship.

During the past decade, the government of Japan has undertaken a series of steps to progressively upgrade and stabilize the security relationship. These have included an expanded role for the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in the fight against terrorism; the acquisition of sea and air assets making it possible for the SDF to conduct operations at a distance from the Japanese islands; increased SDF participation in multilateral security efforts (such as the Proliferation Security Initiative); and the introduction of the hardware and software necessary for integrated launch-phase and descent-phase ballistic missile defense.

Despite the completion of these major and necessary progressive actions, there has been a degree of sideward and even backward slipping in the security arena over the last few years. In Iraq, the dispatch of Ground Self-Defense Forces has come to an end and the Air Self-Defense Forces cargo and personnel transport mission is likely to be discontinued. In the Indian Ocean, the opposition party led by Ichiro Ozawa is trying every tactic to block the continued dispatch of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces (JMSDF) supply ships servicing the international flotilla providing security there.

It would be a mistake for Japan to lapse into complacency regarding the expectations a new US administration may have for the security relationship. The security relationship is anchored, of course, in shared interests and shared values. However, assuming that the relationship will remain unchanged is unrealistic. Establishing a strong working relationship with the new administration will require the demonstration of a firm commitment to a flexible and pro-active stance toward the security challenges facing the two countries. A jolt of new activity, if you will, will be necessary to get the relationship off to a good start.

-snip-

Japan has so far escaped a direct attack on its citizens, on its own soil. We have only been lucky. Taking a stand against terrorism is in the national interest. Not showing support for the US in the fight could brand Japan with a reputation of being an unresponsive and unwilling ally - a reputation that would pose a threat to Japan's hopes for long-term security and peace.
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Japan is still living in the neo con reality.

world peace is what will be on the agenda, not the neo cons murderous greed.

Japan really needs to look at their own production of food and the management of drinking water.

[TheMightyFavog]

1. Can we just release Japan form its Article 9 obligations already?

Just so they can drop this whole "Self Defense Force" Facade. It's a frakking military, call it that.

Besides, I think the Japanese have learned their lesson. It's been over 60 years now.

[ensho]

2. kick

nt