Obama's commitment to Japan seen as weaker than McCain

By Takehiko Kajita

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Latest 15 of 26 Total Comments Show All

motytrah at 02:14 AM JST - 31st August

So the writer basically did very little sourcing, and started with what appears as his own opinion with fact. What little sourcing he did came from conservative think tanks. There didn't seem to be any balance from non-partisan organizations. I think a little more balance and researching is needed in before I'd proclaim that Obama is universally thought of as weak on Japan.
DanManjt at 02:31 AM JST - 31st August

Apexnetworks . Bingo and thanks for bringing that up.

The US has only bilteral relations with East and NE Asian nations,
hakushaku at 02:35 AM JST - 31st August

Yeah, what the above poster said. Totally hack article. I mean the quotes from the right-wing think tanks are completely absurd, stuff Ann Coulter would say. Obama will just let China "do whatever it will" because he listens to aides?

Yeah, very balanced piece, D-bag. Not to mention the fact that most Japanese don't even know who McCain is.
OssanULTRA at 06:57 AM JST - 31st August

Many people here are afraid of McCain. They think he's a potential warmonger. Good. I will vote for candidate that makes the Russians and the PLA Generals feel that way too.
jbro888 at 09:59 AM JST - 31st August

I dont get it... title and article don't make sense together... title bashes obama, but article praises him? what?
Nelsiton at 11:04 AM JST - 31st August

I have to admit that I don't know anything about politics in Asia. Anyway, I dare to ask: Does Japan really need that much the U.S.? I mean, it is a fully developed country, and It won't be threatened by a foreign nation... It is true that the ROK can be hostile at times, but it doesn't represent a real threat in my opinion, as it doesn't have cutting edge technology, while Japan does.
Betting at 09:56 PM JST - 31st August

I'm not an expert about this subject at all, quite the layman. But aren't most of Japan's problems, other than the economy, only domestic problems? Even the kidnapping of Japanese by N. Korea is basically a Japanese problem, as I can't see how it affects the US (Japan is a big boy, surely it can look after itself). As long as Japan remains reasonably stable why does America have to make such a huge commitment to Japan? Well, does America need to expand more effort on Japan than it does on other countries?
GW at 12:55 AM JST - 1st September

I really really really hate these stupid articles about XXXX US politician is this or that about Jpn.

How about this, when will the LDP & band of thieves ever do anything for Jpn instead of themselves & their thieving hangers on.

Jpn time to grow up & start learning to take care of yrself!

And while yr at how about some damned commitment to the rest of the world, Jpn is NOT the centre of the universe.

This article is a total waste of cyberspace
MarieDevine at 01:08 AM JST - 1st September

True peace is the absence of a threat. True independence is the absence of a need of an outside protector and supplier. We need to seek true peace and independence in a new direction. Regardless of US presidential candidates, real change will only come from a new vision and direction toward creating an independent retirement lifestyle of a garden paradise.

US goals of rebuilding the military, building alliances to fight other people's wars, enticing more people to enlist and prepare for war, and giving better benefits is not change. If we turned from our employment lifestyle that causes stress, pollution, disease, accidents, afflictions, wars and conflicts, we would not need universal health care, social services like welfare and pre-kindergarten child care.

Alliances would not be needed if we turned from our lifestyle of building military weapons, manufacturing, processing, and transporting food, goods, and people around the world to creating a garden paradise that supplies our needs in our communities. God's original plan is ours when we want it and release the past polluting, bondage and stress producing lifestyle behind.

If we don’t change their ways, we will still be working away from families, buying insurance, and dealing with daily stress of energy needs, child care, college tuition, sons in military, and conflicts over abortion, same-sex marriages, and religion. Independence on foreign oil will make us dependent on local energy suppliers; there is no change in the present direction.
apecNetworks at 07:05 AM JST - 1st September

To DanManjt:

It's what is evolving in the Asia-Pacific, and APEC is a major factor in the change. That change does explain to some degree the scrutiny I am being subjected to. Thruout my experiences, I have been able to effect positive change to developments in the Asia-Pacific consistent w/ the "stated US Foreign Policy". The ability to effect change has irritated those who have a "hidden agenda". That was one reason I was able to help former Pres. Reagan in 1986, but attacked by those who did not wish the help.

‘‘Sen John McCain understands the realities of America’s dwindling influence in Asia, but I understand he believes that by reinvigorating strong Pacific alliances, America, Japan, the ROK and other Asian democracies can balance China,’’ he said. The ROK refers to the Republic of Korea, South Korea’s official name.

That quote is incredibly important, because it emphasizes the tremendous change occurring, in direct detriment to US Foreign Policy methods and goals. The next President will be dealing w/ an US environment evolving into an authoritarian state, heavily armed militarily, and I think I saw in the streets a car one would associate w/ a "secret police". I hope I am wrong, but there are people who are happy that these legal changes are occurring. Political dissent will most likely be dealt w/ as former Pres. Nixon authorized in the early 1970's. The US Bill of Rights has been suspended. Those living overseas for a long period away from the US, take note and beware.
realist at 05:43 PM JST - 1st September

Lets face it. Japan is going downhill on the world stage. There are many much more important countries and things to deal with when Obama becomes President.
apecNetworks at 05:34 PM JST - 3rd September

I just realized that my previous posts on this thread may not even be allowed to be aired in academics in today's climate. I am stating what info received, but it is irrelevant whether true or inaccurate. It seems my posts are evoking emotions, rather than discussion.
KitsuneYoukai at 05:18 AM JST - 4th September

I think I will nto give up on Japan just yet. Unlike other Asian nations I think they ahve high potential.
medievaltimes at 03:13 PM JST - 4th September

Who cares? Japan needs to stop worrying so much about U.S. politics and start worrying more about Japanese politics. Japan is not a little child that needs its hand held.

Well...uh...on second thought...
cracaphat at 12:02 AM JST - 6th September

Japan is almost irrelevant economically in Asia unless they arm up again. China,South Korea and India are holding it down. Japan's living off the bubble era which is that long ago,I wasn't even in the country.