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  RepublicofTexas at 08:59 AM JST - 19th July

  Let the rest of the planet fight this battle

  Japan was never in Afghanistan to begin with. Japan's job, due to restriction by Article 9 (written by the Americans) is to refuel allied ships, etc not to fight on the ground. In the case of Afghanistan, it would not be a peacekeeping mission b/c the country is a warzone.

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  Sarge at 09:11 AM JST - 19th July

  "constipated constitution"

  "Article 9 ( written by the Americans )"

  Well, there ya go! It's all the Americans' fault!

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  westurn at 09:41 AM JST - 19th July

  Japan can go ahead and cling to the various excuses for nonparticipation. However, once the dust settles the Japanese should be banned from any "economic" reward through business or joint venures. We Americans are getting damn tired of creating safe havens so the rest of the world can move in and exploit the business opportunities.

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  rajakumar at 09:48 AM JST - 19th July

  Afghanistan security is not going up, they should forgo for now. Japan is not as soldier like, like in the 1940s.

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  Alphaape at 09:55 AM JST - 19th July

  Sarge, You are correct when you say the US and some of the allies helped ot write the Japanese constitution after the war. But occupation ended in 1952. Japan has had over 56 years to modify the constitution over Article 9 and there will be nothing the US can do about it since it is an independent country.

  As for rdjr'c comments, yes Bush went into Afg, but a little group called the Taliban were there and they were behind the 9/11. True the US has mismanaged things there, but we were the only ones to step up when it needed to be done. The UN is doing no better, and NATO is also not really helping. Sure they have sent peace keepers,but they try to keep them from actually engaging in any hostilities.

  The comments on post Afg by westurn are good. When the dust finally settles, I am sure that there will be JN companies by the dozens trying to sell cars, air conditioners and other products. I have no problem with that, but how about helping to secure the market before you flood it with your goods.

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  RepublicofTexas at 10:15 AM JST - 19th July

  However, once the dust settles the Japanese should be banned from any "economic" reward through business or joint venures

  Japan provides fuel aid to the US and NATO allies via tankers in the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, the Japanese provided peace-keeping help in Iraq and have supported numerous other US efforts. Many other nations refuse to help in any US-led effort, what of them? When there was stability in the Middle East, I'm sure the Japanese were able to export a lot more than they're able to now. Perhaps the US should compensate the countries of the world who's exports have been disrupted. All this Japan bashing is getting rather tiresome.

  But occupation ended in 1952. Japan has had over 56 years to modify the constitution over Article 9 and there will be nothing the US can do about it since it is an independent country.

  Yes, but the peace mentality had already sunk in. Furthermore, what's wrong with being a proponent of peace?

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  westurn at 10:20 AM JST - 19th July

  "Japan provides fuel aid to the US and NATO allies via tankers in the Indian Ocean."

  Tell that to the American families that lost loved ones ! Better yet, put Japanese personnel in the same conditions as their American counterparts. Time to share the load here ! My tax dollars demand it !

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  RepublicofTexas at 10:22 AM JST - 19th July

  Japan has no desire to wage war. Stop acting as though Japan has some responsibility to do so. As a result of Article 9, Japan is a country that values peace. If your so concerned about your tax-dollars, you shouldn't be supporting this war.

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  RepublicofTexas at 10:24 AM JST - 19th July

  I mean relative stability, the Middle East is far more unstable since the US began meddling, and there wasn't that much stability under the Ottoman Empire.

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  kinniku at 04:26 PM JST - 19th July

  some14some,

  Logically speaking, SDF should be sent to Afghanistan because of worsening security. In peaceful times volunteers & private business can help them with reconstruction works.

  You are the quickest to the keyboard! I just about to write the same thing (as were others it seems) when finishing the article. It does beg the question as to what the SDF thinks is the purpose to sending troops overseas.

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  RepublicofTexas at 01:28 AM JST - 20th July

  The SDF's purpose is not to fight in a war zone such as southern Afghanistan right now, but rather to maintain peace in places that have been pacified (such as southern Iraq a while ago) and post-war/dictatorship Cambodia. The Japanese are supposed to arrive after the heavy fighting but before absolute peace when the businesses and volunteers arrive. As long as their constitution restricts them, the Japanese have no legal ability to be in a combat zone.

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  westurn at 12:47 PM JST - 20th July

  "The SDF's purpose is not to fight in a war zone such as southern Afghanistan right now, but rather to maintain peace in places that have been pacified"

  Yeh ? Pacified by who ??? Uncle Sam !

  "The Japanese are supposed to arrive after the heavy fighting but before absolute peace when the businesses and volunteers arrive."

  Tell that malarkey to the sdf forces who go through complete boot camp style training complete with munitions practice ! Fact is the sdf are organized and trained fighting regimes, much like the US military. Sending them off, at my tax expenses, to build bridges and thatch roofs is a waste of time and energy. It's obvious Japan does this for future business considerations and nothing else ! Shameful behaviour that puts American military personnel at risk. I've spoken with them on numerous occassions and they pretty much say the same thing in private... the Japanese are more hinderence than help !

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  USARonin at 12:54 PM JST - 20th July

  Westurn, it takes about four troops in the rear to support one troop on the line.

  I'll take what I can get and be thankful. At least they didn't cut and run like the Spanish, I'm thinkin'.

  Arikatoe.

  USAR

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  RepublicofTexas at 01:04 PM JST - 20th July

  ! Fact is the sdf are organized and trained fighting regimes, much like the US military. Sending them off, at my tax expenses, to build bridges and thatch roofs is a waste of time and energy. It's obvious Japan does this for future business considerations and nothing else !

  Just because the Japanese are trained to fight doesn't mean they should. The main purpose of the SDF is to protect Japanese sovereignty and provide peace-keeping help to the UN.

  Seeing as all you do is complain about taxes and spew anti-Japanese bs why don't you move to some far away country with lower taxes. I doubt the Japanese want you anyway. If your an American I don't know why your complaining, the Japanese would rather have what help/support the Japanese provide than not at all. Especially seeing as the Japanese are one of America's last few staunch allies. Lastly, if you believe in restricting Afghanistan's future trade to only countries that actively liberated the country your establishing a sphere of influence or some other imperialistic system. Afghans have a right to trade with whoever they want, and if they want to do business with the Japanese that's fine with them.

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  RepublicofTexas at 01:07 PM JST - 20th July

  *the Americans would rather...

  my mistake

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