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Japanese support for U.S. bases grows: poll

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Oh really?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Well, when you have big fat China next door claiming that Okinawa was really China, that this and that all really belonged to China, what a surprise that not just the Japanese but even the Vietnamese are asking the USA to bring there there to keep the Chinese away!!! China need to understand we want their $$$$, their smiles, then get back on the plane and then come back when you have more $$$ but not to invade us with force and brutality like to Tibet, to the Uighurs etc..

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Those attitudes......suggest a general wariness of outsiders

The U.S. military presence has received a greater acceptance

Does anyone else see the irony in all this? So you want to have your cake and eat it too!

Germany garnered the smallest unfavorable rating

Why? Just because Germany has realized how evil its government was during the war and has, since then, taught the truth to its children? Because it now gets on really well with its neighbors? Is it any coincidence that Japan cannot get on with one single neighbor?

Elbuda:

when you have big fat China next door claiming that Okinawa was really China

Please provide me with the Chinese transcript that says this.

but not to invade us with force and brutality like to Tibet, to the Uighurs etc..

I'm sure your country has been a model for all others. By the way, what happened to all the native Americans in your country? I think the words force and brutality might come in there somewhere. And this is on top of all the brutal murders happening there now.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

when you have big fat China next door claiming that Okinawa was really China

HUUUH!!??

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Keep your friends close but your enemies closer

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The Japanese constitution, drawn up by a U.S. occupation force after World War II, prohibits the creation of an armed force

USA made such a situation. If Japan had same level of Nukes and Missiles as China has for SELF DEFENCE ONLY then there would not have any problem with China. And China will be more interested to be a friend of Japan.

Trade; Japan had to invest the trillions of USD to the dictators in African and middle east countries to buy their resources like China did Japanese ODA..( Trillions of USD from Japan). Then the current China would have begged to Japan for support.

Industry: Instead of investing in China they would have gone to India and Brazil to make use of cheap labor..

Then the relationship would have changed a lot.. Now Japan sits as a stupid boy who lost all the toys to another crying child to stop his cry.. China received trillions of USD as ODA from Japan and still accuses and spread hatred of Japan to own people. Then why Japan had to give trillions of foreign money the first place when they had no food and medicine......

Never Trust the communist China until the good minded Chinese take over the govt by a revolution..

Let the moderate people of China spread the truth about the world to own Chinese people..... and MAKE THE CHANGE.. We are living in the 21st century and we need peace and unity and that is possible only by co-operation and trust..

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

It's quite simple: If you feel vulnerable, you don't give up a significant part of your defense. US soldiers are prepared to shed blood to defend Japan and the Japanese people know this.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Germany garnered the smallest unfavorable rating—just 4%—with 48% giving the country a thumbs up.

What a stilted way of putting it! Germany got better marks overall than the U.S.! So what is this? Jealousy?

Pukey2, Germany might be viewed favorably because they are not meddling with anyone. They are not conducting nuke tests, they are not oppressing anybody but skinheads, they are not known for subverting democracies in other parts of the world for the sake of business advantage, the only military bases they have are in Germany, etc. And they are known for recycling and for alternative energy activity.

As for the bases, yeah, more Japanese may love them since they are so far away from most Japanese. Real easy to appreciate them when you foisted them on a minority, especially Okinawans.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Some additional interesting results from this survey (which can be downloaded on the above website) (there are two versions, because the results are not all released at the time time):

FIRST RELEASE:

The respondents are relatively pessimistic concerning the economic situation of the country (yet they are opposed to increased immigration).

The aging population is seen as a problem by a strong majority.

The respondents did not believe that in case of disaster the government could help them and they believed the leaders were not telling the truth about what happened.

Most people believed that the government should give more information to the public.

SECOND RELEASE:

Israel has the lowest support among all countries (even less than China). It seems that the Japanese population is strongly anti-Israel.

The respondents overwhelmingly support private ownership of companies and competition.

There is a large support for death penalty (unfortunately).

The number of people supporting no political party significantly increased, while the number of people supporting the main political parties decreased (both LDP and DPJ).
-1 ( +0 / -1 )

What about Ishihara's and Hatoyama's comments?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"Those attitudes, as well as results showing Japanese are reluctant to allow more foreign workers into the country, suggest a general wariness of outsiders."

Ya think? Someone needed a survey to tell them this? Anyway, they can be as reluctant as they want to allow foreign workers in. I just ask them, will you be reluctant to receive a pension and health care benefits when you get older? Can't have one without the other, as wary as they may be.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Funny. If Japan ain't close to China, nor south Korea, then who can they be friends with in the whole neighborhood? Most Japanese complain about their neighbors yet they don't see why they are being overtaken, leave alone the military role, but economically. US on the other hand has strong ties with countries like China and Korea, but Japanese people don't see that. I think their biggest problem is failure to accept their faults in the past, have too much pride and somehow they think they are a white nation, other than Asians. The way they reason is one sided and unrealistic, and only creates tension between Japan and it's neighbors.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

China now and later is to keep putting more money in their navy force upgrading, people can see China intention is so clearly.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

As for the bases, yeah, more Japanese may love them since they are so far away from most Japanese. Real easy to appreciate them when you foisted them on a minority, especially Okinawans.

Much agreed!!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

what they don't say is that Japan is the second after US in Military spending, yet they are the first to make such noise. doesn't make any sense.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Have you ever seen 50,000 protestors outside of Yokosuka Base? -- No, maybe 100 max...

Do 50,000 Japanese come on to base during friendship day and have a good time? -- yes

pretty simple when you look at it..

4 ( +5 / -1 )

"The AP-GfK telephone poll . . . surveyed 1,000 adults across Japan by landline telephone . . . "

Landline telephone?

In a nation that arguably has the highest mobile phone usage in the world, this means the survey only sought out the opinions of primarily home-bound housewives and retirees.

Which isn't bad in and of itself, if those were the opinions the survey designers were seeking to uncover.

However, the survey makers present the data as representative of the general Japanese population, and that is not only grossly inaccurate, but also irresponsible.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

As long as the burden is on the Okinawans, why wouldn't the Japanese support the bases..on the otherhand, ask the Okinawans if they think the presence should be reduced on their Island.. and I'd bet over 90% would say yes. The other 10% built a business that sells directly to American GI's after payday (something to do with alcohol) or they work on base and are afraid their job would get cut, some made up govt job that isn't really necessary that the GOJ funds to keep some support for the bases on the Island.

I've known many base workers that supported the staus quo on bases, however at the same time they didn't like americans and the presence. Sound conflicting, yes but goes to show that supporting bases doens't mean liking Americans and hating the bases doesn't mean hating Americans.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The Japanese ordinaries are easy to manipulate. End of story.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

About a third are neutral.

Apparently, a third of Japanese people have no clue about anything. Such a large percentage of the population possessing no opinion regarding subjects as important as defense and the roll of the emperor in government - mighty important issues, in my opinion - is alarming in itself.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

when you have big fat China next door claiming that Okinawa was really China

jackieng: HUUUH!!??

I believe he is referring to China's claim to the disputed island near Taiwan which is part of the Ryukyu island chain, but they are trying to claim it as part of Taiwan because of it's close proximity, however, it's part of the Ryukyu chain, which is Okinawa.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

LFRinJapan: "In a nation that arguably has the highest mobile phone usage in the world, this means the survey only sought out the opinions of primarily home-bound housewives and retirees."

Just a point of order, SK has higher cell phone and PC usage than Japan.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

spiddygy, Japan is most certainly not second after America. China is. Then comes France, the U.K and Russia in that order. Japan is sixth, aheadh of German, Saudi Arabia and Italy.

Japan spends just one percent of GDP on the military though, compared to a whopping 4.7 percent by the U.S. China spends half the percent age of GDP and only about 1/7 or 1/8th that of the monetary total of the U.S.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Americans Rock

4 ( +7 / -3 )

They still want Futenma out.

"What about Ishihara's and Hatoyama's comments?"

What about Ozawa's comments?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

when you have big fat China next door claiming that Okinawa was really China

Please provide me with the Chinese transcript that says this.

http://www004.upp.so-net.ne.jp/teikoku-denmo/english/history/okinawa.html

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Seems that my countrymen are finally realizing that we're going to need the Americans for something.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The only threat to Japan from China is that it has US bases. When the war starts, America will run away like it did in Georgia.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Sound conflicting, yes but goes to show that supporting bases doens't mean liking Americans and hating the bases doesn't mean hating Americans.

This is something many American's in Okinawa need to read AND understand. Unfortunately there are way too many that can not differentiate between the two and don't get it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Japan is a buffer zone like the Korean peninsula,Taiwan strait that big brothers(US,China,Russia) used as arena fighting each other,so how japanese views this world is negilable! Absolutely no meaning at all! The US military dominances of japan isles shall never change with or without so-called 'foreign threats'! It was myth the pentagon used to scare Japanese people! The same trick was used in South Korea and some south koreans were wise enough not to buy it !

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

'The U.S. military presence has received a greater acceptance, apparently because people think this region has grown more unstable than before'..................a political deaseases planted to enslave japanese people by Pentagon!

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Nobody wants US forces until 1 second after they need them.

More than just war too Had a chance to talk with vicitms in Miyagi-ken who thanked the Americans considerably for their efforts. Helicopters dropped down to the hill they fled too with medical supplies, food and water. They were the first ones able to get to them. Couldnt have happened had they deployed from Hawaii.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

The return of realism. Europe is in fast decline, China is flexing and the Japan - America alliance is just too important to the free world.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Lieberman2012

The return of realism. Europe is in fast decline, China is flexing and the Japan - America alliance is just too important to the free world

LOL to the free world, jeez that sounds like a grab from a McCarthy speech.... America's alliance is just to important to America and Japan more likely.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

japan boosts their titles as US favourite lapdog haha. woof woof heres a cookie

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

I do not read anything from YuriOtani, voicefromokinawa, Blue, and voicefromnaha. I would like to hear what they have to say. 'DEBAN DESU YOOO!"

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The only threat to Japan from China is that it has US bases. When the war starts, America will run away

@Asagao, There has been a US/Japan peace Treaty in place. US will not run away.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

talking about 'threats', japan sides itself with the biggest war mongering bully in modern times - the US of A. how ironic.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Do the America-obsessed here actually think democratic, capitalist Japan can rely on Taiwan and Australia ???

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I just ask them, will you be reluctant to receive a pension and health care benefits when you get older?

smith, If foreigners are legally immigrated into Japan with a proper working visa and paying taxes including Nenkin Tax for a solid 25 yrs without holes to Japan, they are entitled to receive national pensions from Japanese govt according to current law. They do not have to live in Japan to receive this NENKIN upon retirement if you are from these bilateral agreement countries. . FYI

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

by 2050 the country will at least 30 million foreign workers to do the work and pay the taxes!

@zichi, Immigrants with proper WORKING visa are already paying payroll and nenkin taxes to Japanese government already. FYI

0 ( +0 / -0 )

BreitbartVictorious

Do the America-obsessed here actually think democratic, capitalist Japan can rely on Taiwan and Australia ???

Coming from the sites biggest chest thumping yank thats a good comment. No Japan cant rely on Taiwan or Australia anymore than in a couple of years they will be able to rely on the US of A. The fact is the US military is stretched so thin as it is, the country is nearly broke and there is no end in site to the war in Afghanistan, now they are involved in Libya. There military will be exhausted and not able to fight a major war let alone a small one soon. So maybe Japan needs to start standing on its own two feet and stop relying on the US.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

overwhelmingly negative or neutral toward immediate Asian neighbors China, Russia and North Korea. Opinions about South Korea were mixed. If you read the history of Japan since meiji reform until recently of Japan's foreign minister Mr Maehara has spoken or has done, you will understand why all the neighbours around Japan has resentment against her!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Thanks, Oracle. I have read it as you suggested. I am sharing a part of it with others on JT. They are already claiming Okinawa is a part of China.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofcountriesbymilitary_expenditures

It includes even Japan's Okinawa (沖縄)[1] as a part of Chinese territory that China must recapture in the future.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

wrong link listed above post. China claims Okinawa as a part of China article was found in the link listed below.

http://www004.upp.so-net.ne.jp/teikoku-denmo/english/history/okinawa.html

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It is one thing to have a sufficient number of protection bases in Japan, but another to have such duplication. The military bases in Japan were established when planes had propellers and flew at an incredible speed of 150 mph. How long does it take a modern fighter to fly from Okinawa to Hokkaido to intercept a NK flight or from Hokkaido to Okinawa to intercept a Chinese threat? Nuke subs can just sit off shore for six months and wait. Ships are the only defensive that basically has not changed and move at similar speeds. Japan should cooperate with the USA and down-size the number of bases, claim the land, and sell it to developers. I am sure the government officials would welcome the money so they can waste it on such items as aid to China.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Asian countries should learn how to get along well with each other. I advocate permanent U.S.Army presence in Korea and although war among China,Korea and Japan is highly unlikely with U.S. acting as a deterrent, peace in Asia depends on how those 4 countries get along with each other (USA,Korea,Japan & China)..

When Asia is at peace, Asia will thank U.S.A. for having helped Asia become more prosperous by allowing open markets and easier access to Made In Asia imports in the U.S. market..It was America's generosity that brought & gave life to Asia.Take Korea for example..Right after the end of Korean War,Korea was much poorer than some African countries and today it's 11th largest trading nation with GNP over $20,000.00 while U.S.A.'s GNP is over $40,000.00..

So I as a U.S.-born Korean citizen say Thank You The United States of America for protecting S Korea from any "external threat" such as N Korea,China,Japan and even Russia.It's obvious why S Korea trusts ONLY U.S.A.. Keep in mind that S Korea isn't a powerful country yet and I keep my fingers crossed and I welcome ALL Americans more and more to come to S Korea!!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Does anyone in this world take those polls in japan seriously? If a nation whose PM and his cabinet like 'merry goes around' changing every 14 months in average.....it was a failed state, who is going to discuss serious thing like the security issue if I know the counterpart shall not last long and have to repeat the discussion next year? By the way, China did not poessing threat to japan, it was the people of Japan paranoid of their own 'hopeless merry goes around government changing' they lost 20 years, they were impatience and they knows their clock is ticking! Japan is a failed stae, paranoid, fragile, self guilt and jealousy!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

And while they gave their own elected leaders low marks, most Japanese think highly of the emperor and military.

Hrmmmm. This is somewhat.... unsettling.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Germany garnered the smallest unfavorable rating—just 4%—with 48% giving the country a thumbs up.

This is starting to look familiar...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Great opportunity for the U.S. to reduce this expensive commitment in Japan that just stretches us to thin. There is no need for U.S. to protect Japan. They can protect themselves. Why should U.S. drain their treasury and overstretch military protecting societies who spend far less on their defense than U.S. spend on their defense. It makes no sense.

How memory is so short sighted by the Japanese and how unappreciated the U.S. forces are. Less than two years ago, Hatoyama's government wanted U.S. military outside of Okinawa. They were against having any U.S. troops in Japan. Slightly over a year ago, thousands of labor unionists, pacifists, environmentalists, students and residents marched through central Tokyo and Okinawa, yelling slogans and calling for an end to the U.S. troop presence. PM Hatoyama has repeatedly postponed his decision on the pact with members of his own government divided on how to proceed. Hatoyama wanted new directions in the relations with U.S. Japan said "We don't need Futenma base", and "We refuse new Henoko base'. Most Japanese people and their goverment wanted the base moved out of Japan entirely. This is the right time for U.S. to leave Japan and let them handle their defense alone.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

There is no need for U.S. to protect Japan. They can protect themselves

If you wish, then Japan will change the article 9 of constitution. Sounds like this is what you are talking about here. I actually go for this idea.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

globalwatcherSep. 07, 2011 - 03:50AM JST. If you wish, then Japan will change the article 9 of constitution. Sounds like this is what you are talking about here. I actually go for this idea.

If U.S. leaves, the cost of the Japan defense will increase 10 percent a year and for many decades. Let Japan pay for the entire defense and scrap the article 9. U. S. already spends $700 billion annually on defense and this is not substainable.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

spiddygy, Japan is most certainly not second after America. China is. Then comes France, the U.K and Russia in that order. Japan is sixth, aheadh of German, Saudi Arabia and Italy.

Japan spends just one percent of GDP on the military though, compared to a whopping 4.7 percent by the U.S. China spends half the percent age of GDP and only about 1/7 or 1/8th that of the monetary total of the U.S.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofcountriesbymilitary_expenditures

You think that's bad, just imagine if the US had kept 1950's/1960's levels of military spending, at over 20% of GDP. A 2 trillion dollar defense budget!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@zichiSep. 06, 2011 - 08:19AM JST

The U.S. gave incredible help during the earthquake and tsunami disasters.

Are you sure? Really more than Russia?

Also may be are you forget that NK send through Red Cross to Japan about 500 000$ too?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

BessonovYanSep. 07, 2011 - 05:19AM JST. Are you sure? Really more than Russia?

What planet are you from? U.S. gave incredible help, I am sure. The U.S.mobilized more than 20,000 troops and some 160 aircraft in rescue, relief and recovery operations after Japan’s worst earthquake tsunami catastrophe.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

globalwatcherSep. 07, 2011 - 03:50AM JST. If you wish, then Japan will change the article 9 of constitution. Sounds like this is what you are talking about here. I actually go for this idea.

If U.S. leaves, the cost of the Japan defense will increase 10 percent a year and for many decades. Let Japan pay for the entire defense and scrap the article 9. U. S. already spends $700 billion annually on defense and this is not substainable.

At the end of WWII, the US Judge Advocate group drafted the constitution of Japan, initiated by great General Douglas MacArthur, to make sure to add the article 9 clause prohibiting Japan to be a military threat to the world.again.

Well, if the majority of Japanese people want the US to leave Japan, then so be it. If Okinawans want US to leave, so be it. I do not think it is a good idea, but I believe in a process of democracy.

First, Japan needs to change the Article 9 clause before spending more on military expansion. Also Japan needs to examine pro/con of Philippine's current situation since US bases were voted out. Japan can learn from their mistakes.

I am for a change of article 9 while I am for US bases presence in Japan because China is getting a threat to Asian neighboring countries.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

globalwatcherSep. 07, 2011 - 05:42AM JST. At the end of WWII, the US Judge Advocate group drafted the constitution of Japan, initiated by great General Douglas MacArthur, to make sure to add the article 9 clause prohibiting Japan to be a military threat to the world.again.

Japan has been a peaceful nation for over 6 decades and they can be trusted fully. If Article 9 is scrapped, I doubt Japan would change to militarism. Japan can afford to pay for their entire defense. U.S. approach to the world become very heavily in favor of the military and military spending has more than doubled over the last decade, largely to accommodate two wars. The U.S. defense budgets needs major reform not only to become more affordable, but to become more effective. U.S. needs to look at national and foreign security policies in progressive way to interact with the world with better diplomacy for better relations around the world.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

How many people are in favor of "killing the goose that lays the golden egg?" (Article 9) Has Germany and Italy rebuilt their military forces? There is only one reason why Japan continues to live in the '50's decade. $$$$$$$$$$ The election in November 2012 may provide the answer to the military investment that the USA has in Japan. The USA taxpayers cannot continue to continue to PAY for Japan's defense. Either Japan is part of the solution or Japan will suffer the financial consequences.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yes, China is a threat to Japan in many ways. As far as Okinawa or the Ryukyu Kingdom, it was under the Qing Dynasty of China until Satsuma Clan decided to invade. Later Qing dynasty ceded Taiwan after the first Sino-Japanese war by the teaty of Shimonoseki. It was then that China renounced any claims to Korea. But since the French, Germans, and Russia forced Japan to re-cede the area of Liaodung. Taiwan became independent after 1945 but now there is a dispute as to whether or not Taiwan is part of China. If present day China can claim Taiwan then China can also claim Okinawa since basically the Shimonoseki treaty of 1895 would be void. After all, Okinawa is a part of Japan only because in 1972 the US returned the islands to Japan instead of granting it independence which would are reverted it to the Ryukyu Kingdom again. If China did not go communist after WWII, Japan may have become a basket case of a country. The main saviors of Japan was that China was out of the economic picture and the Korean war. One of the symbols was Japan was made out the war materials from the Korean war....Tokyo Tower.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@sfjp330Sep. 07, 2011 - 05:29AM JST

May be Japan haven't 20 000 but I not sure. If you sure that 20 000 troops and 160 aircraft more important for people than fuel, products, then you right.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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