Would you give Japan its military back?

Post Reply New Topic

Been recently thinking about the changing positions of power in Asia. China's on the rise, North Korea is a joke of a country but it still boasts a dangerous military, South Korea is modernizing pretty quickly too. Japans Defense Force is tiny at around 200,000 active troops but they probably have one of the most modern militaries in the world based on their military spending. Some people have said they fear Japan may become a militaristic country again....its pretty safe to say that wont happen. Most people there are disgusted of the idea of being militaristic again. some guy tried to take over the army headquarters and gave a speech on how he wanted Japan to be strong again, but he was met with angry booing people...so he committed seppuku. also ive been there and they are pretty pacifist from what I saw. Nationalism is looked upon with disgust by the general Japanese population. Kind of how you view the KKK and NeoNazis in American and Europe.

Americas got around 40,000 troops in Japan as part of the security treaty. While the Japanese support the military alliance strongly they also want the US to reduce the military presence there. I mean Japan is a 'big boy' now, out of the ruins of the 1940s into an economic powerhouse. I think they can take care of themselves now.... not to mention its very costly to station that many people overseas. Also, I doubt Japan would ever consider doing anything to lose the USA's support with its military.

I guess what im trying to say is they wont try to take over Asia again and massacre millions.

That's for the Japanese people to decide. They would have to change their constitution. I do however believe the US should reduce/withdraw it's military presence from Japan. They should be responsible for their own defense.

Japan is like Germany wherein it learned that, from its history, fighting is evil (rather then to fight evil.) So somewhat neutered, I don't think it'll do anything in the future. I also look to China's reaction is an indicator. When they feel a competitor who would like to "share" power, resources, or land in the area, it reaffirms its presence economically and/or militaristically. If Japan does anything nationalistic in the spirit of expansion, or displays military might, expect some sort of reaction from the Chinese.

Note: The US military is the greatest force for peace on earth. That is a fact. Removal of it from Japan or South Korea will leave those two weaklings in China's sphere of influence and solidify China as the ruler of all of Asia and can rearrange that part of the globe as it sees fit. We shouldn't act on emotions of "it feels imperialistic" to be in their country, without acknowledging what that part of the world will look like deposed of the US. We also gave them a free-ride and made them economic super powers and increased their living standards, the least they can do is allow us a few bases.

I agree. that the USA is the greatest force for peace on earth. I'm not really asking about the removal of US troops, rather that Japan should have its own standing army again. If Japan creates a standing army it would GREATLY bolster their power position in Asia and it would probably be in the best interest for the USA as well. America needs as many powerful allies to stand against North Korea and Chinese expansion as it can get. An army imbued with the samurai spirit would greatly help peacekeeping in Asia...the USA shouldnt have to protect Asia by itself, Japan should pull its own weight too. I think they should change the constitution

Last edited by tangomike on 29 May 2011, 2:41 am, edited 1 time in total.

There seems to be some doubt in the minds of the Iraqis and the population of Afghanistan and recently Pakistan as to the quality of the US military insofar as peace is concerned. It seems extremely unlikely that whatever military the Japanese manage to assemble will threaten China as in the days before WWII. I have heard reports that the people of Okinawa are not as enthusiastic about the American presence as you seem to believe.

Nah Japan will never be as powerful as China, but I think they should have a military strong enough to deal massive damage in retaliation...enough to make aggression stupid. Add that standing army to the US presence and its a pretty formidable defense against China. Also they should be more responsible for their own defense and lighten the load on the US military.

Also I dont think either me or the dude above said Japanese support the huge US presence. I said they do not. As I see it those 40,000 troops are needed in Okinawa so long as Japan doesnt have its own standing military. The people of Okinawa cant complain about the US army if their own government doesnt provide the means to defend themselves....biting the hand that protects them.

Last edited by tangomike on 29 May 2011, 1:32 am, edited 2 times in total.

Meh, Okinawa is kind of reputed for having somewhat different opinions than the main islands. :p

It's also worth noting that there are some "hawk"-ish elements in the Japanese parliament that would like for Japan to regain a standard army. =/ (my information might be outdated on that one though)

Considering Japan's pirating of Taiwanese and Chinese fishing vessels off the Diaoyu islands, I'd say Japan is already becoming militaristic again. A bigger Japanese military would only make that worse.

I think it would be a good idea to give them their military back due to the threats that China and North Korea pose. They will also need to at least get their civilians some firearms training if not arm them.

Gun control in Japan is very strict. I would say almost no civilians own guns, cops never use them because the people they arrest arnt armed either.

Japan was neutered as a condition of their surrender, but the USA took on the burden of defending them if necessary.

This is a sovereignty issue. Either they are sovereign or they are not. If we can no longer defend them, they must do it for themselves. At some point, this must happen.

As soon as the Japanese educational establishment comes to terms with the role that the Japanese fascist played, I would have not misgiving about letting Japan have a real armed force. It would decrease U.S. expenses in Asia and be a counter force against China.

ruveyn

"give"?

I know, but if they are going to try and deter future problems with Chinese expansionism, they might want to make some changes to that policy so that the citizens have enough trigger time to be proficient before they enlist or get drafted. Trying to teach marksmanship to people who got literally all their firearm knowledge from the movies is counterproductive to a war effort. It's basically like the problem our military is having trying to get overweight 17 year old Call of Duty champions into good enough shape to get through boot camp. In past wars, most recruits came in with firearms proficiency. Back home, many of them had to be a good shot to supplement their dinner. Beginning gunnery practice for bomber crews was based on trap shooting. The Swiss had high private gun ownership and organized training to make their reservists far better shots than the Germans, and Switzerland was the only country to forcibly repel the Germans- their expeditionary forces went into rugged mountains where they couldn't get their artillery, and they got their butt kicked. Hitler wasn't willing to commit the estimated 6 divisions needed to take that small patch of land! And now, thanks to the gun control lobby, our marksmanship is suffering too.

They have a large military already.

@John_Browning. I have a perfectly good grouping and I had zero experience on anything other than bolt action weapons before basic. In first world armies everyone shoots to a standard or they do not qualify. Reserves or full time, everyone is qualified or they don't march out.

@Ruveyn, agreed. Though the US should maintain some sort of a presence there, it is a fantastic airstrip.

Nothing like the Imperial Navy and Imperial Army they used to have.

Also Japan has no nuclear capability (either production or delivery) that anyone is aware of.

If Gojiru ever comes out of the sea to stomp Tokyo flat again, I am sure the Japanese defense force can give a good accounting of itself.

ruveyn