Japan’s Parliament Approves Overseas Combat Role for Military • Hacker News Board

Re: Japan’s Parliament Approves Overseas Combat Role for Military

#41

Post by ableal » Sat, Sep 19, 2015, 10:15 AM UTC

Animats wrote: post #18

thebmax wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It could also very easily spin out of control and increase instability in Asia.

Both of the above are true. China is getting more aggressive about control of the oceans near, and not so near, China. China has a territorial dispute with Japan over the islands south of Kyushu and northeast of Taiwan. China is also claiming some islands further south, in the South China Sea, but that disagreement is with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. China's military parade last week was v…

> Japan did invade China during WWII.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Sino-Japanese_War

Started well before (1937) and ended a month later, to be precise.

Re: Japan’s Parliament Approves Overseas Combat Role for Military

#42

Post by bane » Sat, Sep 19, 2015, 12:29 PM UTC

So I'm not familiar with Japan's system of government, what's the chance this goes before a Supreme Court equivalent and is struck down?

Re: Japan’s Parliament Approves Overseas Combat Role for Military

#43

Post by jmadsen » Sat, Sep 19, 2015, 12:38 PM UTC

Animats wrote: post #18

thebmax wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It could also very easily spin out of control and increase instability in Asia.

Both of the above are true. China is getting more aggressive about control of the oceans near, and not so near, China. China has a territorial dispute with Japan over the islands south of Kyushu and northeast of Taiwan. China is also claiming some islands further south, in the South China Sea, but that disagreement is with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. China's military parade last week was v…

The biggest annoyance to the Japanese at the moment is the number of Chinese tourists overrunning everywhere.

It's easy to read the newspapers about the govts of the world rattling their sabres at one another; what the people actually feel is often quite different.

Re: Japan’s Parliament Approves Overseas Combat Role for Military

#44

Post by semieverything » Sat, Sep 19, 2015, 12:41 PM UTC

brobinson wrote: post #36

venomsnake wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What are the actual Japanese military capabilities?

Japan's buying the F35 from the US and also recently started its own fighter jet development program, so whatever their capabilities currently are, they're increasing.

The F35 is a heap of junk for which the US is using all it's "allies" to fund and carry the burden. At least we now all have diminished capabilities not just the US. Win Win.

Re: Japan’s Parliament Approves Overseas Combat Role for Military

#45

Post by mathrawka » Sat, Sep 19, 2015, 12:41 PM UTC

65% of the public oppose this, and only 38% support the PM now.

http://news.yahoo.co.jp/list?t=public_opinion_poll

Re: Japan’s Parliament Approves Overseas Combat Role for Military

#46

Post by rjsw » Sat, Sep 19, 2015, 12:42 PM UTC

gaius wrote: post #38

I wonder if they would like to buy any Typhoons, A400Ms or aircraft carriers.

... and sell some P1s.

Re: Japan’s Parliament Approves Overseas Combat Role for Military

#47

Post by reustle » Sat, Sep 19, 2015, 1:04 PM UTC

mathrawka wrote: post #45

65% of the public oppose this, and only 38% support the PM now. http://news.yahoo.co.jp/list?t=public_opinion_poll

I was out exploring Tokyo on my bike today and came up on a big group of protestors. When I asked someone what was going on, they said they were speaking out against the current party / leader, and that this was very uncommon to see in Japan (protesting).

Re: Japan’s Parliament Approves Overseas Combat Role for Military

#48

Post by Larrikin » Sat, Sep 19, 2015, 1:14 PM UTC

reustle wrote: post #47

mathrawka wrote: post #45

65% of the public oppose this, and only 38% support the PM now. http://news.yahoo.co.jp/list?t=public_opinion_poll

I was out exploring Tokyo on my bike today and came up on a big group of protestors. When I asked someone what was going on, they said they were speaking out against the current party / leader, and that this was very uncommon to see in Japan (protesting).

I don't think I've ever been by Kokkai Gijido where there wasn't some group protesting something.

Re: Japan’s Parliament Approves Overseas Combat Role for Military

#49

Post by norswap » Sat, Sep 19, 2015, 1:59 PM UTC

archlight wrote: post #39

adrianN wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's exactly the same argument Germany uses to send the Bundeswehr to Afghanistan. "Deutschlands Freiheit wird am Hindukusch verteidigt" - "Germany's freedom is defended at the Hindukush."

It paves way to start a war by ripping off legal framework first like "versailles treaty". Germany earns the trust to be responsible country to do peacekeeping overseas by reconciling with neighbours. Japan is different story. it hasn't even shown any gesture of sincere apology.

Somehow I don't think we're going to see the fabled Japanese mechas run over Europe and the US any time soon :)

Re: Japan’s Parliament Approves Overseas Combat Role for Military

#50

Post by Htsthbjig » Sat, Sep 19, 2015, 2:03 PM UTC

thebmax wrote: post #4

crdoconnor wrote: post #2

This, incidentally, was partly a "gift" from Obama to Abe in order to get him on board with the TPP: http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2015/05/obama-bribes-abe-supp... It just goes to show just how desperate Obama is to get the TPP signed and the depths to which he'll sink. First tacit approval of slavery in Malaysia and now state department approval of Japanese re-militarization. All for a trade agreement that grants c…

Amazing what Obama is willing to give up in order to secure 'his' legacy issues. 60 years of post war Asian defense strategy thrown out the window. I don't see this ending well. Japan a has a deep militaristic underbelly and most japanese hate their regional neighbors (South Korea, China). They are our allies but this increases instability in Asia enormously and could lead to a regional arms race between China and Ja…

I have lived in China, Korea and Japan and in my opinion you are not right.

Fist, US of America is requesting Japan to do what is has done. They are worried about China, not Japan. Also the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam want Japan involvement.

Japan today is a very old country which population is going to decrease in dozens of millions in the next decades.

By contrast China has a population more than 10 times bigger than Japan, but now they are industrialized, they can sustain a war, and could kill millions.

US wants to maintain control trade on China sea. Preserve the status quo(as WWII winner). Of course China wants to change the status quo, control her own sea, and if possible, dominate others(like the US does).