Gov't says it will do all it can to ward off terrorist attack, following al-Qaida threat

Wednesday 23rd April, 11:22 AM JST

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nutsagain at 05:17 PM JST - 23rd April

Zaphod Pity you didn't understand my post. There was no 'crowing' at all. What I'd said was; nowhere is safe from these idiots, especially as nuclear technology, which they so earnestly covet, is available. That's what I'd said...
SuperLib at 05:27 PM JST - 23rd April

Al Queda really has only been targeting Arab countries and Europeans these days. Japan's pretty far down the list I would imagine, somewhere just below America.
Starviking at 05:38 PM JST - 23rd April

The Japanese government will take all possible measures to prevent terrorist attacks

Yea right! Are they going to restrict the availability of fertilizer? That's what most of the IRA Bombs were made from in the Troubles.

Are they going to consider the extreme vulnerability of the country's subway and train systems?

Do they have a security service that is capable of tracking foreign and internal threats to the country?

Past form would suggest no.

We'll just have more signs saying the police are on the alert
Farmboy at 05:42 PM JST - 23rd April

The main problem is that Al Qaeda doesn't have a home address. This means when they attack, the counterattack will be against folks who are not members of their organization.

Al Qaeda is never about solving problems, or about negotiating settlements. It's about killing people...that's what they do. Listen to them...that's all they talk about.

When the Muslim population as a whole rejects this method completely, that will be the end of Al Qaeda...they will have no influence, and no members. But even people who reject Al Qaeda still seem to have a twinge, or more than a twinge, of sympathy with a group that has fought against Western influence. There is also a certain resonance with the traditional view, and many Muslims haven't clearly identified these folks as killers in their mind. They don't seem to realize that modern Muslims don't fit in the Al Qaeda vision much better than George Bush, and that most of the real victims of Al Qaeda are Muslims.

Until they do, it's a given that there will be attacks that can't be prevented. Since AlQaeda's demand is that all Muslims who are not fundamentalists, all Christians, all Jews, and just about everybody else withdraw from all of the Middle East, or anyplace else Al Qaeda happens to claim, people won't ever be able to back up far enough to suit them, so negotiation won't go anywhere.

As SushiSake2 mentions, there is no safety to be found, as someone who is willing to die just to take people with them has a lot of tools at their disposal. I do think Al Qaeda is a bit worse than SushiSake2 suggests, however, and suggest taking a look at places like the Site institute, or at Laura Mansfield.com to see the degree of sicko that actually out there. The threat is real, and so far, the solution is nonexistent.
skipthesong at 05:44 PM JST - 23rd April

invade their countries so they can get a taste of 'Freedom'(c) western-style." Well, its a lot better than them invading us and giving us a taste of Islam their style.
skipthesong at 06:52 PM JST - 23rd April

unless being traditional requires the belief that one has a right or responsibility to force others to one's own way of thinking" That is a serious problem with all religions, except for Buddhism and Judaism I have found. It seems most Christian and Muslim sects want to increase their sizes either by knocking on doors or by force. We have seen that in history, but Islam and Christianity. However, at the moment, I see it as Islam is the main threat, so I vote to get rid of both. I was shocked when I found churches and Mosques here in Tokyo.. even more shocked with knocks on my doors and people coming up to me in Shibuya and Yokohama asking if I want to come to the Mosque.
Alphaape at 06:59 PM JST - 23rd April

You notice AQ makes these threats against USA because they know that in the West public opinion rules. By associating Japan with the US, they hope that they will be able to put pressure on US and allies into not agressively going after them, giving them time to find other nations where they can base themselves. They know if they make statements like this one, they at least hope Japan will be unwilling to do anything further and thus try to isolate the US. As we all have seen, the US is viewed as the "bad guy" in many parts of the world (I won't go into the reasons here).

But you notice, they don't make these comments about Russia. Why, they don't take it lying down. The Russians have killed more of their members (Afg war/Chechnia/etc) than has the Americans. But they don't make pronouncements like this against them (they are the west too) since they know Russia is not generally ruled in the court of public opinion as the US is.

Attack the US allies like Japan, and they hope that will cause public sentiment to go against the US, and make it harder for us to prosecute them.
skipthesong at 07:57 PM JST - 23rd April

Alphaape : damn good points. Never realized that Russia has also been fighting them. You are right, if Japanese get scared, they will start crying that America bought AQ to Japan.
Farmboy at 07:58 PM JST - 23rd April

I don't think Al Qaeda would view Japan positively, even if it had never associated with the US militarily. From the AQ point of view, I wonder if even having commerce with the US wouldn't be enough to condemn Japan.
usaexpat at 11:49 PM JST - 23rd April

This is why I don't have a problem with Japan's tough immigration policies. It's far less likely to have a sleeper cell here than in Europe or Detroit for that matter where there are more immigrants from the middle east than natives. This isn't news, every country is a target even muslim countries. AQ at the heart of the matter is a political movement. Their aim is some sort of united muslim empire staring with the middle east. I think Japan is probably pretty low on the list as an attack on the US would be more treasured by their supporters.
serendipity628 at 12:04 AM JST - 24th April

I hope that slowly but surely the world starts to realize that so much of the violence (i.e. war) and so many of the problems that exist today are because of religion and the differing beliefs of humans around the world. How sad that so many suffer because of ridiculous superstition that has been handed down from one generation to another. If only we could believe in ourselves a bit more...
Alphaape at 12:43 AM JST - 24th April

serendipitty, You do realize that if you were to make your feelings known to a member of AQ, you probably would have your head chopped off and thrown down a well. That is the major crux of the problem. I am a Christian, and even though I think my religion is more than just superstition, I respect your opinion, and do not in any way wish to convert you to my way of thinking. The only thing I would ask is that you respect me and my belief ways and I will do the same for you.

Now with AQ, that is different. They take the word Islam (which means submission to Allah) literally, and use that to guide them. Yes they have other political aims, but the religious belief of submission and eradication of the infidel (which you would be considered) is their prime goal.

In a nutshell, that is what is driving them. You have your right not to believe, and I respect that (yes Christians have in the past and still do believe that it is their mission to convert, I believe it to but understand that in the end, it is a decision you have to make. I am here to discuss it with you, but you have to make the ultimate decision) but not with AQ. This "free will" is what they really hate about the west.

It is similar to a immature child's reasoning in my opinion. They see the west as able to do what they want in regards to religion, peoople putting their fate in their own hands, but because of their teachings they are not allowed to do that. So like a child, they will whine and complain because everyone is not "like them" rather than being satisfied with what they have.

Just my thoughts.
serendipity628 at 07:54 AM JST - 24th April

Alphaape

Points all taken. Would you be disappointed, then, if your son or daughter (now or in the future) decided to follow the path of Islam? Do you honestly believe that those who believe in Christ are peaceful? Of course some are and of course some Muslims are, too. But killing in some supposed superior being's name is shameful (but a great excuse for doing so). That is why I believe all religion is at fault and the problem is that we (yes, I went to Sunday school many years ago) aren't given any other options until we turn about 15 years old (for some, it's much later or never). By then, we just assume it to be normal and the done thing. Back to the terrorist situation. How many Muslim countries have ever invaded a non-Muslim country in recent years? None? Wasn't it specifically stated that 9/11 was carried out by AQ because of the US military presence in Saudi Arabia? AQ said that themselves. Again, religion causes problems. Supposed holy sites or buildings also cause problems. I guess it would be like the biggest church in the U.S. having some other country's air force base built right next to it. Islamic countries seem to want to be just left alone and I agree that is difficult in this day and age but the underlying reason for a lot of all this certainly appears to be this magic word "religion".

Moderator: Back on topic please. Posts should refer to Japan.
Alphaape at 08:19 PM JST - 24th April

serendipity, AQ is not operating in the "classical sense" of a nation that has a standing army, but more along the lines of spreading their teachings to followers that are spread world wide. No need to mount a huge army, when they could just send a few operatives to a place like Japan, recruit members here (there are many south Asians and Africans here that are praticing Muslims) and convert them to their brand of Islam. It would be similar to what happend to Europe. Places like Holland, France, Sweeden now find themselves with a growing muslim community, and they are having problems. Even though Japan has tighter immigration restrictions than Europe, that just means that it will take a bit longer.

No, no muslim country has invaded an non muslim country, but look at the record so far in terms of conflicts in the world: Kashmir: Muslim Pakistan against Hindu India Southern Thailand: Muslim seperatist agianst Buddhist Thai's Western China: the attempt recently to hijack an airliner by muslim rebels. Southern PI: Abu Sayyf (AQ affiliated) against PI gov't (mostly Catholic)

So, if they spread their brand of thinking, then there will not be a need for an army. Internal struggles will suffice.

If Japan at least keeps up their entry procedures (which I think are better than the US) then they will be far ahead of the game.

In reference to your last about religioin, if one of my kids decided to convert, well I have done all I can, and that is their decision. They have to speak for themselves when they die.
Zaphod at 03:12 PM JST - 25th April

Alhabee:

" No, no muslim country has invaded an non muslim country, "

I don`t know where that absurd statement started, but this is definitely not true. In recent history, where Western technology dominated, yes, but if you go back to the start of islam, you nothing but conquest. How do you think the Ottoman empire was established? How did Iran in parts of India become muslim? What is the sword doing in the Saudi flag?

As I said before, Japan, as Shinto/Buddhist nation, would be high on Al-Qs target list indeed, as a nation of polytheists (the highest sin).