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Abe tells world to stand up to China or face consequences

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This guy is such a clown! He "urges military restraint" and wants to "control expansionism" by... what? increasing defense spending? buying a record number of war vehicles from the US? renouncing Article 9 of the constitution? What a hypocrite!!

-21 ( +42 / -64 )

"Japan wants China to agree to share details of its military spending, help set up a mechanism for managing crises and establish channels of communication between the two countries’ armed forces."

Doubtful China will act on any of these proposals.

19 ( +31 / -10 )

If they go to war over these tiny islands I will be really disappointed.

-8 ( +13 / -20 )

Wow, head on, no holes barred, full declaration. You refuse to talk to me, then I go all the way. Abe's doggedness now approaches suicidal.

The Americans' will be truly mad now. The Philippines, Vietnamese and Indians must be getting scared cold feet, and the Russians and North Koreans must be loving it, what a show!

-14 ( +18 / -31 )

China signed a Treaty of Peace and Friendship with Japan in 1972, accepted Japan's apology and compensation, reaffirmed it again in 1978 and enjoyed good relations as Japanese and western investment and trade helped it rise from a basket case economy to what it is today. After 40 years having achieved economic and military power, China now threatens Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, etc etc and challenges the United States. Those who speak against Abe on this specific topic are ignorant fools where anyone can see that if China had not become so militarily powerful and belligerent, Japan would have remained as it has for the last 69 years. Abe is absolutely correct on this issue and the view is shared by the entire world.

48 ( +74 / -27 )

I am hoping China to accept Abe's invitation, an action that could open a channel of bilateral communication with Japan.

Japan, China (and also South Korea) were born to live in peace. East Asia, including Taiwan, Hong Kong and other countries is a very prosperous region. If you compare it with Middle East and South America you will conclude that these countries together are a miracle of the last century.

I can't understand why these countries cannot understand each other.

If East Asia is able to stay together, to ignore the differences between each country, they could make an alliance that would guarantee the prosperity of this region for lots of generations. But if China and Japan cannot open bilateral communications, I am afraid East Asia will be forever manipulated by the West.

I don't want to see East Asia becoming a Middle East, with countries that cannot understand each other and very manipulated by the USA, the West and allies.

-4 ( +13 / -17 )

Ossan: "Those who speak against Abe on this specific topic are ignorant fools..."

Substitute "against" with "for" and you are bang on. The utter hypocrisy of this man is beyond belief. Abe is a nationalist who wants to literally make Japan stronger militarily, and to do so wants to renounce Article 9 -- something that until now has put Japan above many other nations in terms of striving for peace. HOW is creating a military, visiting a war shrine to exacerbate ties, buying more weapons, and demanding the world isolate China seeking 'peace and stability' and 'not expanding military'? Stop staring at that one tree, Ossan, and you might see the forest.

-29 ( +28 / -57 )

Confusing.

"Abe on Wednesday told the world it must stand up to an increasingly assertive China"

Followed by:

"Although Abe did not explicitly mention China"

29 ( +30 / -0 )

War monger.

Japan needs to get this liability out of office ASAP.

-11 ( +24 / -34 )

If they go to war over these tiny islands I will be really disappointed.

@Serrano

If Abe drags the U.S. military into war over these tiny islands I will be doubly disappointed.

It's obvious that China is increasingly bullying nearly all of its neighbors, but it's equally obvious that a Japanese PM's publicly calling for the international community to counter China does nothing but provoke China's leaders, back them into a corner, and exacerbate the situation.

For the sake of constructive diplomacy, Abe should have kept this sentiment behind closed doors and between Japan and its allies. This was not the act of a leader who seeks peaceful and positive relations.

-1 ( +17 / -18 )

The idea is to avoid dangerous misunderstandings. The more each country knows about the military activities and strategy of the other, the less chance for miscalculation that could lead to conflict, for example, disputed territories off China's coast. (Senkaku Islands).

13 ( +16 / -3 )

Smithinjapan, do you even know what those vehicles are? Do you understand their purpose?

If you did, you wouldn't be rudiculing them. Bombers? No. Missile launchers? No. Aircraft carriers? Submarine? No, and no. Anti-missile destroyers? Yes, and just like everything else, a primarily DEFENSIVE vehicle.

China, on the other hand? Missiles? Yes. Submarines? Yes. Aircraft carriers? Yes. Bombers and fast-attack boats? Yes, yes and more.

How do you explain all of this as Japanese aggression.

22 ( +37 / -15 )

Abe: [Says something about how the world needs to stand up to China...]

Davos audience: [Collective eyeroll]

-4 ( +16 / -20 )

It was only few days ago when Abe declared he wanted to sit down together with China and talk!

But he couldn't wait and had to open his mouth, yet once again, and undermine his fake peace initiative.

If Mr. Abe feels so strongly about standing up to China, why does Japan keep doing business with China? Pull out of China, stop all trade with China, stand up to your enemy. Put your actions where your mouth is. Before urging others to counter China, why don't you lead the counter actions and show us how you want it done. Otherwise, it's easy to talk brave.

-12 ( +22 / -33 )

Oh, the irony.

5 ( +12 / -7 )

"Help us to engage China to ensure peaceful prosperity" would have been better.

Now, where's that Bono fellow?

1 ( +2 / -2 )

Abe is absolutely right to call China out on this, and is well supported by several Asian regional leaders who are looking to Japan to take more of a leadership role in these matters.

Whilst I don't endorse some of his views, he is no more 'Nationalist' and Militarist' than most world leaders, and certainly can't hold a candle to China in relation to that particular accusation.

7 ( +22 / -15 )

Abe is not a clown. Clowns are funny. Abe is not funny. He is essentially asking the world to be dragged into a potential war over a few rocks in the ocean. While he is decrying "military expansion" he is pushing Japanese military expansion. Not only is he linking this to the abolition of Article 9 but also a gutter nationalism that in effect not only whitewashes Japan's passed military aggression but in effect glorifies it through ipso facto official Yaskuni visits.

No. Abe is not a clown. He is closer to an armed madman in a crowded theater.

9 ( +24 / -15 )

sourpuss: "If you did, you wouldn't be rudiculing them. Bombers? No. Missile launchers? No. Aircraft carriers? Submarine? No, and no."

You forgot to mention the unmanned (but armed) drones, new fighter jets, Osprey aircraft, etc.

-16 ( +16 / -32 )

smithinjapan

China's military spending in 2013 was billions and Japan was only 59.3 billions. I don't think Abe's spending is outrageous. On the other hand, US military spending was 682 billions and it is going to cut back otherwise it will create government shutdown again? Think about if you live in a hostile neighborhood where everyone has gun(s)...Don't you want to buy a gun(s) too to protect yourself? I agree with Ossanamerica. I know it's your first post but you gotta think before you post.

2 ( +18 / -16 )

World Leaders are NO FOOLS!!!!!!

5 ( +12 / -6 )

Amen!

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

I've always wondered if women would make better world leaders. Men always need to push their chests into each other. "Come on, man...whatcha gonna do?" Seems so silly. Just hope that it doesn't lead into a fist fight or a full on rumble.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Smitjinjapan. You didn't answer the question, because you can't rationally do it.

Ospreys are short-distance island hoppers. Fighters are anti-bomber. Drones are remote area monitors. Hardly the kind of stuff to attack China.

Aircraft carriers? Submarines? Bombers? China? You can't rationalize these purely attack vehicles.

Your argument is baseless, and your point of view on this issue, purely anti-Japanese for the sake of being so. In other words, you are wrong. Just admit it.

10 ( +22 / -12 )

Dear JT Section Editor:

If it’s possible, please rephrase the title of this article.

Yes, some of tabloids and new outlets indeed used such title to whip up the attention for selling something; but I think that JT does not have to follow the herd.

Abe didn’t make this sort of seemingly threatening statement if full transcript of his speech is gone over carefully.

If you can’t make the change for any reasons, I surely can understand your position.

Many Thx,

Ethan

14 ( +18 / -4 )

chucky3176JAN. 23, 2014 - 08:09AM JST

It was only few days ago when Abe declared he wanted to sit down together with China and talk!

But he couldn't wait and had to open his mouth, yet once again, and undermine his fake peace initiative.

If Mr. Abe feels so strongly about standing up to China, why does Japan keep doing business with China? Pull out of China, stop all trade with China, stand up to your enemy. Put your actions where your mouth is. Before urging others to counter China, why don't you lead the counter actions and show us how you want it done. Otherwise, it's easy to talk brave.

Japanese government doesn't have control of what Japanese companies do in China. IF Japanese government REALLY shut down trade with China, then it will create another setback for the world economy... Consider China and Japan have the largest economy in the world (2nd and 3rd respectively)... If they really talk brave, you might even lose your day job.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

I agree with EthanWilber.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

China's military spending in 2013 was166 billions and Japan was only 59.3 billions. I don't think Abe's spending is outrageous. On the other hand, US military spending was 682 billions and it is going to cut back otherwise it will create government shutdown again? Think about if you live in a hostile neighborhood where everyone has gun(s)...Don't you want to buy a gun(s) too to protect yourself? I agree with Ossanamerica. I know it's your first post but you gotta think before you post.

re-type--> China 166 billions

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Shades of the '30's except Japan was the expansionist then. Maybe he knows what he is talking about.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Abe is absolutely correct on this issue and the view is shared by the entire world.

If his view were shared by the entire world there wouldn't be a problem, he woudn't have to make his painful speeches and you wouldn't be making misinformed comments like this one.

-3 ( +8 / -11 )

Confusing. "Abe on Wednesday told the world it must stand up to an increasingly assertive China" Followed by: "Although Abe did not explicitly mention China"

This.

Sensationalist media. None of you are talking about this.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

More like Abe telling the world I and my country are facing relevance deprivation syndrome.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Don't always agree with what Abe says or does, but he's right on the money here.

Time to stand up to the Chinese government and nationalists.

9 ( +15 / -6 )

Let's be clear - China is out of control and only cares about itself.

9 ( +16 / -7 )

@Ossan, I agree with you. Their previous Chairman said to be rich is glory. No wonder almost all Chinese in every part of the world are into business. they've become swell heads more so when they become world's no. 2. My belief is the data during that period was quite superficial as a lot of job orders were shifted to China when so many were laid off here in Japan in what they so called Lehman tragedy of which me in my layman's opinion was just a brazen mask of some behind the scene hand. Not so sure when this happen, remember when China flew one of their jets over Japan's territory. A very offensive act. Had they done that to US or Russia or China, just not sure if that would start a war. Say Japan or any other country did that to them, wonder what could have happened. The US, Japan and other rich European nations built factories there directly feeding China and not only their pockets swell also their heads. Maybe their becoming No.2 is a factor in intimidating other countries. Can't we just live together despite of differences and China with its big territory could just not go and find rich natural gas in other remote parts of their territory? There's no need to be greedy. Remember they adopted a different sea limit to occupy a vast area of the ocean. Then recently they change the sky range. Quite parallel to this was the Pinatubo volcano which sits near Subic base which was always the rallying point of Filipino militanys/leftists whenever its base contract was to be renewed. Nature had its own way of settling the prob. Mt. Pinatubo erupted erasing the idea of contract renewal for good.Do we need some signs of the times for countries to unite and stop intimidating others. We've got one world and we shld nurture it not lord over it.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Abe should mind his own country before criticized others. But he did not mentioned China.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Abe is really mad, mentally disorder,** needs to be locked in a cage asap. Anyway, Sam is going to give up him soon.

-8 ( +7 / -15 )

Looks like shinzo abe has lost the end of his tether. By making such remarks at Davos where most of the countries are dependent on China trade and investment is surely amusement to his listeners. Everyone there is familiar with Japanese aggression and war atrocities during the Japanese invasion of China, Korea and Southeast Asia and the unprovoked Japanese air strikes over Pearl Harbour. That shinzo abe continues to refuse to admit this to the extent of whitewashing Japan's historical war crimes through changing its history books shows how deceitful he is. China and so South Korea are doing the right thing not to meet with shinzo abesince it would be a waste of time to talk to someone who is not honourable, has no credibility and totally dishonest and hollow.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

his speech had been flagged up in advance by Japanese officials

What does that even mean?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Abe is a nationalist

Inadequate nationalism may have been one of Japan's greatest problems.

who wants to literally make Japan stronger militarily

in response to a certain country to its West.

and to do so wants to renounce Article 9 -- something that until now has put Japan above many other nations in terms of striving for peace.

And it has gotten surprisingly few accolades for it. All it does is create a target for China and Korea, who can compare any defensive action by Japan to the unrealistic ideal of Article 9 instead of to their own, more aggressive stances.

HOW is creating a military, visiting a war shrine to exacerbate ties

China and Korea are allowing their own exaggerated sense of self-importance to exacerbate ties. Abe just went to a shrine

buying more weapons, and demanding the world isolate China seeking 'peace and stability' and 'not expanding military'?

You are really speaking on China's behalf. Face it, they've been getting more aggressive these past few years. If we want the world to stay in its present, relatively good form, it is time for decisive action rather than a bit of barking and then acceptance of the new lines drawn by China.

Japanese PM's publicly calling for the international community to counter China does nothing but provoke China's leaders, back them into a corner, and exacerbate the situation.

The thing is, does the international community (by which we mean E and SE Asia) want to become Chinese satellites. If not, Abe is indeed correct.

It was only few days ago when Abe declared he wanted to sit down together with China and talk!

The background to talks is the ability to demonstrate resolve and alternatives. Otherwise, talks only lead to unilateral concessions from your side.

-2 ( +13 / -14 )

sourpuss et al claim that Japan has no aircraft carriers but its 'helicopter destroyers' are aircraft carriers in all but name and can easily be converted to take fixed-wing planes. The Hyuga-type is comparable in size to European aircraft carriers, such as Italy's MM Giuseppe Garibaldi, Spain's Principe de Asturia and Britain's Invincible.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

@Hellokitty123

Technically speaking, an aircraft carrier has to have capacity to carry mainly fighters (planes). Ships that carry helicopters are that, Ships with capacity to carry helicopters.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Abe said US commitment to provide security is waning and he likely feels is highly unpredictable in the invent of Asian conflict. Best if conflict will never happen but taking reality into account is important.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Hysteria at climax!

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Also emerging in conversations are fears of more monetary tightening in the United States that would hit emerging countries by triggering a wave of capital repatriation

I think US needs to do more monetary tightening. Not less tightening. It has already heavily indebted with more than 17 trillions of debt. Emerging countries problem is not the US concern. In US, 30% of working age adult population is surviving with food vouchers. It is worse than emerging countries.

Japan is loosening because it can print Yen as much as it likes. Abe is not diplomatic for lecturing regional tension in the world economic forum. It is not a security forum. He should explain the superiority of Abenomic instead of territory dispute.

The forum opened against a background of mounting optimism about the prospects for the global economy this year,

Optimism will not always come reality. The problem of capital repatriation caused by loosing investor confidence. It will take many years for global economy needed to recover back to the level of 2008.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Every time I think he can't get worse, Abe goes and proves me wrong. He's already deliberately stoked up tensions with Japan's neighbours, feigned surprise when they then don't want to talk, and now he's attempting to show them up on the world stage. I say "attempting", because thankfully I don't think any of the other countries at the Davos conference have any interest in getting involved in Japan's self-made quarrel.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

we must restrain military expansion in Asia

Seriously? Was it not Abe that just extended the Japanese military budget to expand Japan's military? Is it not Abe that wants to change the Japanese constitution to allow japan 'first strike' capabilities? This goon is such a two faced headline hog he makes me sick! Mr. Charisma strikes again! The sooner he is voted out of power the better!

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

"I will do whatever my American master tells me to do" - Shinzo Abe.

-3 ( +8 / -11 )

Nyunt Shwe, i am afraid i have to disagree. seems to me that the world's leaders are often extremely foolish.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Well, Abe is right to try and bring this to the attention of world leaders. A dispute between the 2nd and 3rd largest economies is guaranteed to have a severe impact on the global economy, but that could end up playing out unfavourably for Japan. China would be more profitable to defend than to confront. In the end, it all comes down to money, and the 1% clearly don't give a proverbial about anything else. Even though they would be wrong to support China, that's where the money is. No-one in their right mind would support China in this issue. No-one except the brainwashed and those with power lust. China's past is far far worse than Japan's, yet it is Japan's past that everyone focuses on. The rest of the world seems worried that Japan is going back to it's WWII days. They should be more worried about China producing another Chairman Mao, or invading more countries like Tibet. Anyone who can't see the wood for the trees here seriously needs help. I'm not saying that Japan is the angel in this situation. but they're not the devil either. At the very worst, Japan is the lesser of two evils.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

@Eiji Takano

"I will do whatever my American master tells me to do" - Shinzo Abe.

If that statement was true... don't you think Abe would have avoided to go to Yasukuni shrine?

3 ( +7 / -4 )

If China wants to sway public opinion, this should be their response: "Yeah, we want to take over the world, yes we suck at human/animal rights etc... but at least we don't kill innocent, cuddly dolphins"

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

japan should just get the US move their base from okinawa to the senkakus. would solve 2 problems!

while nobody really wants a shooting war, the problem is politicians will do whatever they have to stay in power. china has been promoting japan as the enemy only since the 90's cause they need an outside enemy in order keep their people unified and take their minds off revolution. if china's economy goes down the tubes, watch out.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The Chinese are openly talking about going to war over the Senkaku Islands. They're talking about pulling a Damansky Island.

But then he said that many in China believe that China can accomplish its goals - smacking down Japan, demonstrating its military superiority in the region, and establishing full control over the symbolic islands - with a surgical invasion.

http://www.businessinsider.com/china-japan-conflict-could-lead-to-war-2014-1

Once the Chinese attack you can kiss Article 9 goodbye.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

@fds

It is a nice idea.... the problem is that there is no amusement and no basic services in those islands... U.S. Troops are going to be bored as hell if a base in Okinawa goes there....

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Abe is correct , china does need to be kept in check. The world cannot allow china to run rampant and rough shod over the rest of asia. I think it is good that Abe is prepared to make a stand, Vietnam, Philipines, taiwan and other neighbouring nations will also echo Abe's sentiment.

Any nation that aggressively goes after others territory and property, while building its military might must be kept in check whether that be china or any other nation.

4 ( +11 / -7 )

Nobody is going to change their position one iota because of this proclamation by Abe. "Talk softly and carry a big stick", an expression made famous by President Theodore Roosevelt. But the Abe administration is ever looking for ways to get a loud verbal one-up on China or Korea. This is just plain foolish. Acting more like a pro wrestler than a sumo champion. The sumo champion stays expressionless, doesn't criticize his opponent, but is strong anyway.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Asked about the visit (to Yasukuni) here, Abe said his “praying for the souls of the departed” should be regarded as “something quite natural for a leader of any country in the world” while emphasizing he had no intention of hurting Chinese or Korean feelings.

Quite natural at a state-owned cemetery or memorial site, yes. Yasukuni is neither. It's privately owned by right-wingers for right-wingers. Visiting the place in any kind of official capacity, given Japan's supposed constitutional separation of church and state, is just not appropriate and indicative of nothing more sincere than a brazen desire to court right-wing voters and keep them onside when the consumption tax goes up.

As for everyone going on about China here? Yes, the government of the PRC is pretty shady and Abe may have a point. Doesn't make him a hero, no more than it made Hitler a hero when he went on about the evils of Bolshevism and what Stalin was getting up to.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

If the Japanese public agree that Japan's image needs to be changed, Abe is bang on.... and he's doing a mighty better job than the folks at ANA.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Face the consequences? What consequences? If you dont do as I wish, Ill huff and puff and cry at Yasukuni shrine? Abe has the international statesmanship standing of a lame duck

-12 ( +6 / -18 )

Well, seeing as China seems to be ramping up the rate of its assertiveness against its neighbours, someone needs to be on the opposing side of them to keep them in check. Unfortunately you don't see the same sort of courage from the likes of SK and SE Asian countries.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

I`d argue to the contrary, Japan is rebuilding its military at the behest of its masters, the US. If America had its way, Japan would have had a fully fledged military long ago, regardless of sentiment in China and South Korea

-14 ( +4 / -18 )

I think Abe is showing two things with this act. It is a clear statement to China that Japan wants to be seen as an equal rather that a scared lapdog, and he has no intent on giving even one inch in any arena to them. He s also showing that he understands politics. Just compare the effect of this speech compared to the earlier Chinese campaign including the comparison to Voldemort. Also by this act Abe is taking the initiative and thus forcing a China to think of a fitting response.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Why Abe always think China will attack Japan? Did China ever invaded Japan before? In this world Chinese never attack other nation before, just being attack and invade by other nation like JAPAN before! facts! correct me if i'm wrong. Arigatou..

-7 ( +7 / -14 )

Abe is prepared to make a stand, Vietnam, Philipines, taiwan and other neighbouring nations will also echo Abe's sentiment.

It is true that Philippines and Vietnam are more supportive for Japan position. Taiwan will never echo Abe's sentiment even they are allies. It has never been a fan of Japan or PRC. In fact Taiwan is also another claimant of disputed territory.

Most of the neighboring nations are bored with Abe as loud speaker. When Abe comes, they welcome him with red carpet with smiles. When he went home, they will go and hug and kiss PRC with smiles. Most of the SE Asian nations will never make PRC upset. They can afford to lose Japan market of 127 millions.They can not afford to lose 1.3 billion consumers of PRC. PRC is the big brother of S E Asia.

Even ROK and DPRK are warmer to PRC rather than Japan. ROK and DPRK have never been a fan of Abe too. Selling Abe sentiment to them will be harder than selling ice creams to the Ekskimos.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Now i know why Chinese and North South Korean dislike and hate Abe.

-6 ( +8 / -14 )

Japan wants to be seen as an equal rather that a scared lapdog

On this point, youre too late Im afraid. Japan has been a US lapdog for decades now. How else do you explain the continued presence of US bases? Japan does anything for nations it respects (who defeated it in war) such as the US, but often treats with contempt those that it invaded and occupied, such as China and South Korea.

-14 ( +4 / -18 )

Time for a little recap. The Chinese have already made it known that they want everything west of the Hawaiian islands.

After all, Admiral Timothy Keating, then US Pacific Commander, recalled in 2009 that a high-ranking Chinese naval officer had once suggested to him that the US and China divide the Pacific Ocean between them, with China responsible for keeping the peace west of Hawaii and the US east of Hawaii.

They're threatening to nuke the United States

Chinese calculations for nuclear attacks on the U.S. are chillingly macabre.

"Because the Midwest states of the U.S. are sparsely populated, in order to increase the lethality, [our] nuclear attacks should mainly target the key cities on the West Coast of the United States, such as Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego," the Global Times said.

"The 12 JL-2 nuclear warheads carried by one single Type 094 SSBN can kill and wound 5 million to 12 million Americans," the Global Times reported.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/oct/31/inside-china-nuclear-submarines-capable-of-widespr/

And now they're saying they don't mind if war breaks out over the Senkaku Islands. Remember, the Russians were armed with nukes and the Chinese still attacked Damansky Island. If anything, Abe isn't doing enough in the face of blatant Chinese aggression.

6 ( +13 / -7 )

Describing Asia as a region of limitless potential and the engine driving world economic growth, Abe urged China to join a revitalized Japan in creating systems to prevent disputes from destroying their mutual prosperity.

Nice!!! That's a real leader.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Why Abe always think China will attack Japan? Did China ever invaded Japan before?

Try 1274 and 1281. Invading army, 99% Chinese 1% Mongol.

In this world Chinese never attack other nation before, just being attack and invade by other nation like JAPAN before! facts! correct me if i'm wrong. Arigatou..

1979 ring a bell? China invaded Vietnam in 1979 leaving over 10,000 Vietnamese civilians dead. The only reason China isn't occupying northern Vietnam today is because the Vietnamese kicked the Chinese out. I hear the Uyghurs and Tibetans aren't too happy about being invaded by the Chinese either.

8 ( +13 / -5 )

Try 1274 and 1281. Invading army, 99% Chinese 1% Mongol.

I`ll debunk you, yet again. The Chinese leadership at that time was the Yuan dynasty, and were aggressively expansionist. The rulers were all Mongol. One can be certain that most Chinese and Koreans who participated in the invasion were conscripts. The leadership was Mongol, the order to invade Japan came from a Mongol emperor. Thus, 1274 and 1281 were Mongol invasions

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

If Mr. Abe feels so strongly about standing up to China, why does Japan keep doing business with China?

Because politics and business are not the same thing. I'm sourcing parts in Japan, Taiwan and China.. and anywhere else that supply what I want at the right price and quality. Frankly, I have some reservations about dealing with Chinese companies, thanks to the anti-Japanese hysteria that their government encourages. But I guess the people who run the companies are a bit more sensible than the idiots in power.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

Here we go again... I think the Chinese Prime Minister and the Japanese Prime Minister should put some boxing gloves on and step in the ring and duke it out, each supporting their own ideas and opinions. Because in reality whether we like it or not they tend to do what they want anyway with support from either the left or the right groups... us normal citizens don't have a say so... it sometimes looks like we do but we don't.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

"We must restrain military expansion in Asia ... which otherwise could go unchecked,"

"If peace and stability were shaken in Asia, the knock-on effect for the entire world would be enormous,"

"The dividend of growth in Asia must not be wasted on military expansion."

"Trust, not tension, is crucial for peace and prosperity in Asia, and in the rest of the world,"

"This can only be achieved through dialogue and the rule of law, and not through force or coercion."

I hope people read the article, rather than read only the title for knee jerk reaction. A real war can be brought about out of truly nothing.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Abe says Japan has been boxed in. No wonder he can't think outside the box. Ask any historian, look at the backgrounds and upbringing of both Xi and Abe and you will know why Abe is belligerent! Anyway so long as Abe doesn't start a war, he is Japan's problem. He started his term by cosying to ASEAN, but now the leaders in this region are avoiding him. He goes to Davos to spew nonsense and then expects Mr Xi to grant him an audience at Sochi! What a joke!

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

When Abe visited the shrines, which to me was the stupidest move of his career (he could have gotten South Korea on his side if he promised them never to visit them again, after China created its air-defense zone and South Korea was on the edge) it took America a single sentence to express its disappointment in Abe and Japan.

It took China approximately a page. “We don’t stop until we are sure the whole world can understand our viewpoint.”

Then China undermines Abe’s visit to Africa, even though America and China have never been allies and still mutually held ties to Africa, even when America and not China took Africans for slaves. China’s enemies’ influence grow in Africa but China only calls out Japan? Get off yourselves.

China asks why Japan forgives America for the bombs and China wonders why Africa would hold ties to America after the slavery. Nothing but a sign of China’s own immaturity. More Jews were killed by Germans than Chinese by Japanese and yet Jews forgive Germans. Enough China.

What does China expect of Japanese militarianism? Like the whole world would just look on if Japan tried to invade China? Japan has legitimate claims to military defense, and China is highly to blame for it. Unreasonable fear-mongering, pretending Japan is a threat at all, is just making the word “China” the new buzzword for “Childish”.

5 ( +13 / -7 )

I`ll debunk you, yet again. The Chinese leadership at that time was the Yuan dynasty, and were aggressively expansionist. The rulers were all Mongol. One can be certain that most Chinese and Koreans who participated in the invasion were conscripts. The leadership was Mongol, the order to invade Japan came from a Mongol emperor. Thus, 1274 and 1281 were Mongol invasions

The pro-Chinese fellas love this excuse. As Atreides said, in terms of numbers it is 99 to 1. It is true the ruling class was Mongol at the time, but "1" cannot rule over "99" without collaboration from some of the "99" - in such a case they'll be "Fragged".

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Both the US and Korea also rejected China's expansion of their air defense. The entire world is against China building up their military. Yet Abe takes it upon himself to antagonize China and back them into a corner in front of the world. If China backs down now, they'll look weak and that's the last thing they want to do.

With the whole world against them, China might have backed down if proper talks were made. Abe ruined all chances of that when he went to Yasukuni, while pissing off Korea in the process. He says he wants to stabilize Asia, but he's willing to risk military conflict just to keep Japan relevant.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

I agree with OssanAmerica's earlier statement... China has been provoking it's neighbors across Asia. But Abe hasn't exactly eased any tensions with his actions over the past few months.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

BurakuminDesJan. 23, 2014 - 01:56PM JST

Feel free to goose-step along with Abe and his neo-fascists. Most of us won't.

It is amazing the call for dialog by Abe is reported as "call for arms" by Western Media. It is truly scary.

"The dividend of growth in Asia must not be wasted on military expansion."

"Trust, not tension, is crucial for peace and prosperity in Asia, and in the rest of the world,"

"This can only be achieved through dialogue and the rule of law, and not through force or coercion."

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Abe and onssanamerica make a fool out of themselves, But it won't be long before his sugar daddy leash this dog!

In terms of population per capital spending China military spending is relatively small $166 billion / 1.3billion whereas Japan $60 billion /127 million people, being a peace nation and a defeated nation , but ranking 5th in the world on military spending ? Which I think the world should be more worry about Japan than China!!!!

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

Abe is absolutely correct on this issue and the view is shared by the entire world.

@ Ossan - sorry to burst your bubble, but the 'entire world' does not share the view of China as held by Japan, i.e. China as a belligerant expansionist nation on the brink of war.

At least here in Australia, the media largely view China as a land of opportunity. Australian economy depends on Chinese demand for Australia's vast natural resources, as well as the Chinese tourist dollar and Chinese international students paying $50 tuition fees are funding our public universities including the top institutions.

You could say Australia is irrelevant due to its small population, but really, who shares Japan's view of China? The US? Maybe. But certainly not the 'entire world'.

-2 ( +9 / -11 )

I find it funny how the Communist here come to the defense of their favorite state and spew hate and false accusations against Democratic Japan. It just goes to show how well the propaganda machine in most totalitarian/Authoritarian dictatorship promote their lies.

Abe is openly telling the world of the dangers of the aggressions that Communist China is promoting against it's neighbors. But, folks who support this aggression see nothing wrong with it. China is a nationalistic state that has Yuan Dynasty dreams. To achieve these dreams it must destroy and conquer all who oppose it and if it's dreams are achieved they will bring repression and misery to all it's neighbors.

Communism and Fascism are the most evil of states. The folks who don't truly understand how and what these repressive state do against their own people are the very ones who are here defending Communist China. If you have never seen the repression then you might fall for the propaganda.

Communists and Fascists are of the same mold even though they are on completely different sides of the political spectrum. Remember, if it wasn't for Communism there would never of been Fascism.

Don't believe me, well all you have to do is read their histories to see the truth.

BurakuminDesJan. 23, 2014 - 01:56PM JST @ mikimouse - regardless of Smiths - or anyones nationality - he is entitled to his opinion. It's bigoted and emotional attacks like yours that has basically inflamed this situation. Feel free to goose-step along with Abe and his neo-fascists. Most of us won't.

Love the way you attempt to insult anyone that supports Abe with a Neo-Fascist label. Now, isn't that just your opinion and not a fact? Or do you have proof that Abe and his supporters are Fascist?

Bet you don't have a single ounce of proof because it's just a bigoted insult. BTW, I support Abe and find him to be a very smart politician and I am no friend of Fascists or Communists. Both are the scourge of freedom and mankind.

-3 ( +10 / -13 )

The media are always digging for news thatll make China look bad, they use it as a distraction from all the other countries doing bad things. They stay clear of Japans dirty work because now they are considered more of a "friend" state with the west. They avoid making Japans dirt public or they give it minimal coverage to protect them so it just flies over everyones heads. Im certainly not one who thinks what China has going on are non issues but you can`t tell them to stop doing things when the accusers are doing the same. In general the politics going on here is so stupid.

3 ( +5 / -3 )

puregaijin

If the Japanese public agree that Japan's image needs to be changed, Abe is bang on.... and he's doing a mighty better job than the folks at ANA.

Go beat a dead horse. Its not even funny anymore.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I find it funny how the Communist here come to the defense of their favorite state and spew hate and false accusations against Democratic Japan.

China - not at all communist

Japan - only democratic on the surface

You really should read up about how these countries work. Both of them use their respective titles, but neither of them actually acts in line with their titles.

It just goes to show how well the propaganda machine in most totalitarian/Authoritarian dictatorship promote their lies.

Well, it shows that you've believed the propaganda without actually reading up on what you are claiming.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

The pro-Chinese fellas love this excuse. Who said Im pro-Chinese? Well Im certainly not pro-Japanese government, that`s for sure. Abe just keeps digging himself deeper in a hole of his own making

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Here is a BBC summary of the same Abe speech. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25853208

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said don't waste Asia's prosperity on military expenditure and that Asia and the world need a mechanism for crisis management in his keynote speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

I think BBC report is much more accurate.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Many comments here regarding being a Nationalist. It is interesting that he is given this title... How about Thatcher, Reagan, Bush senior, junior the Chinese dictators, and every other leader of a country? They were not and are not Nationalists?

Mr Abe, stick to your guns and tell them as it is. The facts speak for themselves. China and South Korea have signed peace treaties with Japan. Japan has donated billions of Yen to those respective economies, apart from all the technology donated so these two countries could begin to build something by themselves without stealing know how (although they have little respect propriety rights).

If they can feed themselves today, a simple thank you Japan is enough. By the way, I am a foreigner and patriotic (nationalist) for my country but respect the rights of Japan to run its country as the Japanese people want which they do through democratic elections which In China is equal to a death sentence.

All you lefties, go to China , live there breath and eat their polluted air and poisoned food and water, complain and let's see what happens. Hypocrites!

5 ( +8 / -3 )

China would never give up its numbers of how much they spend on their military. That is a foolish thing to even ask, however one must ask in order to get a responce. China will be the next soviet union to fall.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Japan has signed peace treaties. It has given compensation to China and South Korea, but until it finally educates its people in what was truly done during the war, there will be no "moving on".

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

Abe's speech not only fell on deaf ears but if anyone actually paid attention to the reactions by reporters at Davo and the type of follow up questions targeted at Abe, you will NO DOUBT understand how belittling the world sees in Abe as well as Japan.

No one, and I mean no one cared about what Abe said. Everyone only cared about why he must infuriate Japan's neighbors by politicizing just about everything. This is a world economic forum, its a forum about how to cooperate economically and benefit each other as a whole in finance, economic policy, currency exchange and debt control.

Davo is about economic affairs, not a forum for some loud mouth lunatic finding every chance to get Japan into more trouble with its neighbors while dragging US along side with it. Its petty and unbecoming. You won't find other world leaders behaving so childishly. And just because Abe said it, doesn't mean the rest of the world gives a damn. We all can see clearly who China is and what its doing. And we all can see clearly what Japan is doing on trying to provoke its neighbors as well. Its really getting embarrassing for Japan to have a leader like Abe. The guy couldn't get China and Korea's leader to even say hello and then he throws a tantrum by misbehaving, doing and going to places where he was warned not to and pissing off the adults at the big table.

No one cares about what you say or do at this point in time. He should do everyone a favor and step down, take a bow, let his wife divorce him, and let some moderate lead Japan, mend fences with its neighbors and really improve Japan's long-term outlook.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Highball Abe's comments were in relation to the economy if you cared to pay attention, how war in asia is not good for the Asian or world economies..

More BS from pro Chinese anti japan nutts

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Ossan - sorry to burst your bubble, but the 'entire world' does not share the view of China as held by Japan, i.e. China as a belligerant expansionist nation on the brink of war.

I won't claim to know for sure what the world thinks. But frankly, if Australia thinks like that, it looks a little like Britain in 1935 when it signed the Anglo-Germany Naval Treaty and turned a blind eye to Germany's rearmament.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

But frankly, if Australia thinks like that, it looks a little like Britain in 1935 when it signed the Anglo-Germany Naval Treaty and turned a blind eye to Germany's rearmament.

It suits the agenda of both the US and Japan to portray China as a threat to the region. More so for Japan, because the US wants to simultaneously engage with China. I would say Japan`s re-armament is of more concern at the moment, given the unrepentant view held by Abe over the war

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

In the picture it looks like he's hosting the TV show Jeopardy.

I'll take "World Economic Forum" for $200, Shinzo!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I do not see Abe provoking anything, all this has revolved around China and its aggressive actions against everyone in the region. This is not about Japan, this is about China! China and the Philippines, China and its Indian border where China provocatively crossed over a few months back and stayed for a few weeks before withdrawing, China against Vietnam and shooting at and killing fishermen, China against Japan, China against Tibetans, China against Malaysia , China against Brunei, with over lapping claims that are thousands of miles off from China shores, China pressuring its suppression against Hong Kong against the provisions of the agreements with Britain in the return of HK to China. China has not stopped but continually proceeded forward with its intimidation and aggression. For anyone trying to turn this on Japan after years upon years after the end of the war with japan being a peace loving nation and a solid partner with the rest of the international societies, is just ridiculous. Japan has been a respected contributor to peace and prosperity around the world. Comparing Japan to China during this same time span... my god there is no comparison when it comes to right and wrong, to human rights, to free and open social norms, there is not any comparison what so ever!!!!

What is wrong with you people trying to brand Japan some sort of provocative aggressor as if all of this time you over look the facts about Japan and what it has been and still is today. comparing that to China and what China has been and where it is today as in leadership, and both as society and the mindset within that society that has been formed with the deceptive teachings, the isolation tactics, the censorship, the deprived information the people were starved from having, that has shaped this false view of everything outside of China and even the false view held within China about their own country for all these years of communist forced rule! I find many comments here pure ignorance and probably some sort of Chinese mindless beliefs in some of these posts based on the leaders' propaganda formed ignorance from a delusional point of view of their own country and of the world outside!. You cannot take what Japan has been and what Japan has contributed over the last 70 years and throw it away and some how completely forget that and replace that with what China has been and had done within China and out from China the last 70 years and say , this is all Japan causing all these problems in the region. That is totally wrong! Proven history over the last 70 years shows China has no moral standing at all with the type rule, its own actions against its people and actions against others such as Tibetans, those that China supported and even support today!. FORCED RULE within its borders, censorship style dictatorship with formation of mindset within its society based on deception, lies, censorship and forced silence within society and still practicing this same style of rule and supporting others like it! This makes it totally unimaginable that anyone that is not from China to try and put any blame on Japan for any of what is going on in the region , then add to that China's conflicts and aggression towards everyone else in the region! This is CHINA! This has been constructed solely by China.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

StrangerlandJan. 23, 2014 - 02:49PM JST China - not at all communist

Was there a revolution that toppled the Central party that no news outlets talked about or is this silly comment your opinion?

StrangerlandJan. 23, 2014 - 02:49PM JST Japan - only democratic on the surface

So, Abe ascended to the position of Prime Minster or did his party win a majority?

StrangerlandJan. 23, 2014 - 02:49PM JST You really should read up about how these countries work. Both of them use their respective titles, but neither of them actually acts in line with their titles.

Prove your point and I shall do the same with mine, guess who will win.

StrangerlandJan. 23, 2014 - 02:49PM JST Well, it shows that you've believed the propaganda without actually reading up on what you are claiming.

Have you ever really experience living under a Communist regime? Once you tell me you haven't I'll tell you I have, yes I have.

I know exactly how it is played because I have seen it played out. Propaganda is and was played by many nations.

But the truth is under a Communist regime your ability to do as thou wilt doesn't exist.

I have much more freedoms living here in Japan that I would living in Communist China. Tell me, would you like to live there? All you would have to surrender is your opinions, in a Communist regime there is only one true opinion, there's.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Here is the link to the transcript of Abe's speech at HP of Prime Minister's Office. http://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/96_abe/statement/2014/0122speech.html

There is nothing in his speech that says "the world must stand up to an increasingly assertive China or risk a regional conflict with catastrophic economic consequences."

This part may be relevant.

アジア地域を、武力と威嚇でなく、信頼と秩序の地域としていくために、最後に私は、アジアと、そして世界へ向けて、訴えたいと思います。われわれは、アジア地域において、際限なく軍備が拡張されることを抑制しなければなりません。

The part can be translated as,

In order to make Asia not an area of force and threat but an area of trust and order, I would like to conclude by appealing to Asia and the world; We must limit endless expansion of armament in Asia.

He was not talking about military expansion but "armament race".

3 ( +5 / -2 )

JoeBigs, I agree that China has a lot of problems, but it's not because of Communism. You seem to equate Communism with propaganda and government control but it's more about economic systems. China did indeed have a "revolution" so to speak toward capitalism.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

WOW!!!!!!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Japan after years upon years after the end of the war with japan being a peace loving nation

That may be inherently true, but the actions and remarks of her leaders show little or no remorse for the past, and even a nostalgia for it

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

As an Australian, I bow in honor of a beautiful country like Japan... The past is the past and the world cannot keep holding it above Japans head. I bow to you Japan and China is nothing but a greedy greedy country. Even though Japan did some incredibly bad things in history, they have said many apologies to the world and its not just for them to say sorry all the time, its for us to forgive them and move on.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

MrBumJan. 23, 2014 - 07:50PM JST JoeBigs, I agree that China has a lot of problems, but it's not because of Communism. You seem to equate Communism with propaganda and government control but it's more about economic systems.

No, I equate Communism with oppression not with propaganda. The propaganda I am speaking of is the one that makes it seem like a great system to live under. It is not, it is oppressive and demeaning to any opinion other than the one that is allowed by the Central Government.

MrBumJan. 23, 2014 - 07:50PM JST China did indeed have a "revolution" so to speak toward capitalism.

Communist China has done exactly what it has wanted to do, use it masses to do what it wants. Everything that has happened in Communist China has been closely controlled by the Central Government. Every time anyone has spoken out for more freedoms those people either disappear or are ostracized and watched.

Freedom of expression is an enemy of the state, prove me wrong. Go to Communist China (unless you are already there) and try and speak out against the Central Government and see what happens.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

@Peter, not a change. True "apology" would be to properly teach history in the schools, not whitewashing it like now. Forging is one thing, but showing true remorse is another

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

China and Japan are great countries, I love both of the culture and history from both of these great nation. But with how CCP running modern day China, all love redirect pre-communism China. I get frustrated by Japan's reluctance to face the sinister imperial past.

For a country spent more money into "public security" (127 billions) than national defense (119 billions), tells a lot about the volatility of the country. Dynasty in China rises and falls by the hand of the people.

A better armed Japan is welcomed by most ASEAN countries, as we don't have the $ or equipments to even deter provocative Chinese encroachment as they did a military exercise in 2013 on a shoal just 80 km from my hometown while is 1800km away from Hainan.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Abe is stirring the pot as usual. He started the whole trouble by claiming ownership with the illegal purchase of those Chinese islands. For those who have read objective information, read Mr. Lohmeyer's thesis at: http://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/bitstream/10092/4085/1/thesis_fulltext.pdf

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

How many people clapping their hands after Mr Abe made his speech? Everyone knows he is paranoid and he has been chasing by a tiger trapping him inside a 'cul-de-Sac'!

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Davo economic forum has none of the business of UN security council. Strangely Abe is recruiting military allies at the forum. Abe is selfish about wasting other people time for his political agenda. He should talk at back door for his new potential recruits.

He may be first one at talking about the regional tension at the global forum. He should tolerate with neighbors and live with peace and harmony. Everybody needs good neighbors. It was so boring for watching his speech.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

A true apology??? And what is that in China's eyes? I have the assumption all that would please China is Japan to totally belittle itself in the face of the world, and even with that, I have a very strong feeling , that would not be enough for China to stop its aggression , because China's aggression is not only against Japan. This fact is in everyone's face. As I stated above, China's aggression is against everyone in the region. China wants superiority over everyone in the region and it is using intimidation and its new found power to force the issue upon all. There is no equality in China's eyes.

Japan has apologized numerous times and that is not enough for China and it never will be until China feels that it has the dominating power over Japan and everyone in the region. Until China changes this mindset it has had for centuries, there will be no peace between China and anyone! Add to that this nationalism that China leaders keep alive by denouncing everyone and anyone as to keep the population in China ignorant to the facts and the lack of the ability to progress forward into the 21st century, and keeping this old wound open, China leaders will be able to keep this ability to fool the public into falling into the delusional dream these leaders of China today, which is just a carry over of the same leaders of the past, to keep Chinese public support for these leaders life long dream of domination! At the same time these leaders skillfully have kept their domination over the 1.3 senseless Chinese of China

I believe I read a post talking about the people of Japan voting this war monger out of office.. Now could this be a Chinese speaking about getting someone out of office? As we see China is going up against everyone. But the point missed with such an argument is... Japan does have elections and have the ability of changing leaders decided by the people... China does not!!!!!! Now if these leaders of China were able to be displaced and replaced, maybe the change in China would be the total solution and this mindset of total domination would go away and so would all these conflicts China is involved in.

Then we have Smith Japan. lol funny guy huh? Talk about Japan wanting to increase spending, hmm I wonder why that would be? I am certain it is not because China has double digit spending year after year on military while Japan had decreased spending year upon year, or maybe Mr. Smith believes Japan wishes to be dominated by China, so they need no military and China is continually using its military might against Japan and everyone else these days! Is this called rational logic by Mr. SmithJapan?? This sounds like logic from mainland china to me that is not the logic of anyone else in the civil normal societies around the world. So this must be coming out of China!

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Wow, head on, no holes barred, full declaration. You refuse to talk to me, then I go all the way. Abe's doggedness now approaches suicidal.

The Americans' will be truly mad now. The Philippines, Vietnamese and Indians must be getting scared cold feet, and the Russians and North Koreans must be loving it, what a show!

LOL - a monumental misreading of the situation with a little bit of melodrama thrown in for good measure. What Abe said is exactly what The Philippines, Vietnam et al have been thinking. That's why they have encouraged stronger relations with Japan.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

In order to have peace , one has to prepare for war ; in other words one must be strong. This saying is always true through history of mankind ,never fail ! Mao's China has a philosophy that when tiger stands next to a deer , tiger MUST eat that deer. All China complains about Yasukuni ,this.. or that... is only playing around with tricks to weaken Japan . or make the world confuse.. May God bless Japan in maintaining peace in the region.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

It seems that the interpretations of Abe’s speech at Davo go viral for different purposes and agenda.

Yet, according to today’s Kyoto news, Japan denies Abe sees war with China as possible.

In addition, Abe’s spokesperson, Yoshihide Suga, indicated on Thursday that Abe does not think that war is inevitable between Japan and China. He added “As you can see, Abe basically said things should not become like they were during World War I. I have no idea why it was misinterpreted in that way.”

So guys, calm down, don’t get your hope of the war too high. :)

Does the world really need another bloody war ?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Japan has been a US lapdog for decades now. How else do you explain the continued presence of US bases?

Doh! Just a cheap shot with nothing of substance behind it.

The agreement reached at the end of WWII was that Japan would have no military. But then when the Korean War broke out a mere five years later both Japan and the USA realised that Japan was seriously exposed and the choice was either Japan rebuild its own full military, or partner with the USA along with having a self-defense force. Perhaps Japan should have reinstated a full military at that point? No, wait...!

It's so funny how some folks here slam Japan for being a lapdog but start whining as soon as there's any talk from the Japanese about being more assertive.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Abe says what everybody feels - China cannot be trusted.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

CH3CHOJan. 23, 2014 -There is nothing in his speech that says "the world must stand up to an increasingly assertive China or risk a regional conflict with catastrophic economic consequences."

Agree! The headline of this news in JAPANTODAY totally mislead original speaking. Even in China's Sina.com, it's headline about this news is: "Abe swear that Japan will never start a war" How different 2 websites mention same news?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

**Look at how things are going so far. I don't think Abe is going to the right direction. First, i understand Abe is a rightist, he tries to revive Japanese glorious year. China rising is inevitable , going for a head butt with China is foolish.Both Japan and China will be the biggest losers and USA will be the winner. I doubt USA will help japan if war break out between china n japan. China is just too strong at Asia Pacific.Also it will be a laughing stalk for European.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Mitch CohenJan. 23, 2014 - 02:26PM JST "Abe is absolutely correct on this issue and the view is shared by the entire world."

@ Ossan - sorry to burst your bubble, but the 'entire world' does not share the view of China as held by Japan, i.e. >China as a belligerant expansionist nation on the brink of war. At least here in Australia, the media largely view China >as a land of opportunity

"‘‘Australia has made clear its opposition to any coercive or unilateral actions to change the status quo in the East China Sea,’’ she said. Ma Zhaoxu, the Chinese ambassador who arrived in Australia at the end of August, was called into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Monday and told of Australia’s concerns."

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/australia-summons-chinese-ambassador-over-air-defence-zone-20131126-2y7vi.html#ixzz2rFAmaSiB

"China is angry at Australia, and when the doors closed on the meeting room in Canberra on Friday, its delegates let the anger show. The third annual Australia-China Forum was designed to strengthen the relationship. Instead, the Chinese used it to pressure Australia.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/china-vents-its-anger-at-australias-stand-on-airspace-rights-20131202-2ylye.html#ixzz2rFBBv216

0 ( +3 / -3 )

How's Japan's democracy working out?

Regional conflict serves no one. Is M. Abe a leader in reason, discretion and diplomacy? Disputes destroying mutual prosperity? What leader serves the interests of the Japanese people?

A vision for Asian prosperity can be served; how has M. Abe articulated that vision? How has he created the opportunities for that prosperity?

World Economic Forum members certainly have much more riding on China than Japan and many of them may not have the highest ideals or sympathy for Japan with so much of the world's economy, and their personal wealth, at stake.

Is soft power M. Abe's strong suit? Can the Japanese people afford Abe's bet with the deck stacked in China's favor?

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

OssanAmericaJan. 23, 2014 - 07:37AM JST China signed a Treaty of Peace and Friendship with Japan in 1972, accepted Japan's apology and compensation, reaffirmed it again in 1978 and enjoyed good relations as Japanese and western investment and trade helped it rise from a basket case economy to what it is today.

In 1978, the signing of the treaty for Senkaku/Diaoyu islands dispute, Deng Xiaoping and PM Fukuda accepted and stated that the "islands dispute shall be postponed". Japan goverment admitted in 1978 that "there is a dispute (regarding the islands)" and now in 2013 saids "there is no dispute"? Who is telling the truth? Japan has a credibility problem.

If Japan has definite ownership of Senkaku/Daioyu islands without doubt, why would Japan offer to explore resources jointly with China? Sounds like a big concession by Japan if you ask me. If Japan owns it, they didn't need to ask China. It shows Japan has a weak claim and they know it. This already happened few years ago. The solution to the competing claims emerged in 2008, when Japan and China reached a principled consensus on joint development of an area that includes the potentially gas-rich Chunxiao/Shirakaba field. However, the 2010 ramming of Japanese Coast Guard cutters by a Chinese fishing boat and the subsequent arrest of the Chinese captain by the Japanese, have halted all movement toward formalizing the 2008 consensus

1 ( +3 / -2 )

At least here in Australia, the media largely view China as a land of opportunity. Australian economy depends on Chinese demand for Australia's vast natural resources

@Mitch Cohen: You've kind of just invalidated your own point. Australia sees China as a "land of opportunity" in a financial sense, but I think you'll find that in terms of Human Rights, Military action and Environmental concerns, Australia, and indeed the rest of the world (barring North Korea) see China as a major problem. China's Human RIghts violations are common knowledge, and even a source of dark (and usually offensive) humour. They have a considerably more violent past than Japan, as Vietnam, Tibet and the Uyghars (may have mis-spelled that) will attest to. And let's not forget that their pollution levels once again are dangerously high. Their environment is on the verge of catastrophe.

Abe is right to bring this to international attention, and very soon we should start to see support for Abe's position, and calls to curb China's military spending, it's aggressive expansionism, and it's provocative actions, amongst many other things.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Honest Abe must be the best Prime Minister in years. He's not afraid of anything! Whereas other PMs wouldn't have dared to say a word about the impending Chinese threat, Abe is willing to stand up to the behemoth in order to safeguard a future Japan free from the grasp of the CCP. As an American, I can't help but admire such decisive leadership when compared with the incompetent leadership currently in charge of the Republic. You have my sword, Mr. Abe!

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

He's not afraid of anything!

Perhaps not. Instead he`s reckless to the point of foolishness with his actions and statements

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Aussie Musashi. You´re missing the point. Abes mission is to change the view of Japan and these statements are part of a long term campaign both internally and externally. Of some reason Xi is either occupied with other stuff or he´s deliberately playing in to his hands. Any way Abe is making progress and where is Chinas response?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Abe making progress? That`ll be the day

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

or partner with the USA along with having a self-defense force. Perhaps Japan should have reinstated a full military at that point? No, wait...!

There is no effective difference between a military and an self-defense force. Nobody calls the Swiss military an SDF, but when did the Swiss military attack anyone in ages? Words on paper don't make a military any less a military. And Japan has quite a military. They have been in the top five military spenders in the entire world for quite a long time. So stop kidding yourself. Japan has BOTH a military AND U.S. bases, and Japan sure as hell does not need the U.S. bases so its understandable that people suggest Japan is an American lap dog.

It's so funny how some folks here slam Japan for being a lapdog but start whining as soon as there's any talk from the Japanese about being more assertive.

What a bizarre convoluted statement! Japan is sure as HELL not being more assertive with the United States! That is the ONLY action that would prove they are NOT a lapdog!

The day that Japan stands up and tells America to get out is the day that I will entertain the notion that Japan is not a lapdog. Then they will have the possibility of just being a regular pet dog to the U.S., like the U.K. is.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I think is foolish to make enemy with China. Abe really needs to think about Japan foreign policy. Japan os considered one of the major power but Russia, China and North Korea are together. They are too strong and China is getting stronger too. Another issue in the event of war, i doubt seoul will help tokyo. Seoul in fact enjoys better relationship with beijing than tokyo.

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Then they will have the possibility of just being a regular pet dog to the U.S., like the U.K. is.

Very true. The US has many pet dogs around the world. The U.K, Australia etc. However, there are perhaps only a couple of countries that can say they are true lapdogs. Japan is definitely one, and to a lesser extent, South Korea. (I say lesser because the US bases in South Korea may or may not be a necessary deterrent against the North

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

@Deplore "As an American, I can't help but admire such decisive leadership when compared with the incompetent leadership currently in charge of the Republic. You have my sword, Mr. Abe!"

Just what the world needs, another dim witted American? Decisive leadership? Like George W. Bush's decisive lies? Dick Cheney's billions to his company Halliburton?

If you need one more grotesque statement of stupidity just ask some idiot who talks about "leadership" at the expense of rational thinking.

A short attention span matched with a glib certainty seems the highest aspiration of too many in America. Most of them are members of the GOP-Tea. 'You have my sword?' Comically deranged, that's deplorable.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Abe is trying to imitate Winston Churchill and warn the world about the rise of Hitler. He would've been convincing had he not just worshiped the devil himself.

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A short attention span matched with a glib certainty seems the highest aspiration of too many in America. Most of them are members of the GOP-Tea. 'You have my sword?' Comically deranged, that's deplorable.

You're trying a bit too hard there, kcjapan. While decisive leadership isn't always a good thing when the leader's decisions aren't actually very good, I don't know of any good leader who was indecisive. Abe is a breath of fresh air compared to the impotence of the last dozen or so PMs before him. And as for "glib certainty", I'd much rather state my views clearly, concisely, and with a hint of eagerness than mold them after your condescending posts.

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586988Jan. 23, 2014 - 09:03PM JST China and Japan are great countries, I love both of the culture and history from both of these great nation. But with how CCP running modern day China, all love redirect pre-communism China.

This is my view as well. China was a great country bound for even greater things than it is now until Mr.Mao and the old USSR screwed it up. Japan developed into a greater country than its older days and still is admired culturally and economically around the world... China on the other hand is still admired for its cultural history, but none of its more modern/recent historical actions.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Abe is trying to imitate Winston Churchill and warn the world about the rise of Hitler.

He could just as easily be trying to warn the world about the rise of himself

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"Abe is trying to imitate Winston Churchill and warn the world about the rise of Hitler"

Like how he was trying to imitate Charlie Chaplin in that poster?

Seriously, do you feel Japan is an Ally!? Those of you who live here? I am not talking about an ally with 'white' America/poster boy for the Gaba eikaiwa school type, but an ally with the world and all ethnic diversities that walk the face of this planet.. I don't feel that. I strongly feel this. maybe this holds truth to many other things.

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"176,000–189,000 people were killed in violence in the Iraq war, including 134,000 civilians, according to the findings of the Costs of War Project, a team of 30 economists, anthropologists, political scientists, legal experts, and physicians assembled by Brown University and the Watson Institute to study the effects of wars involving the United States since 2001."

Decisive leadership? Let M. Abe speak to the slaughter of George W. Bush's Wars and Dick Cheney's profits. Let Mr. Abe estimate the death toll he deems necessary. How many of our brothers and sisters will count their children among the dead? Let no one misunderestimate the stakes in this global misery. Some few disturbed cry allegiance to death. Is that the will of the people of Japan. Will M. Abe speak to that?

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rsgz4gg7y2Jan. 25, 2014 - 05:02AM JST Abe is trying to imitate Winston Churchill and warn the world about the rise of Hitler. He would've been convincing had >he not just worshiped the devil himself.

Like Winston, Abe is warning the world about a major fascist power drunk on nationalism on a military and territorial expansion spree called China. Abe did not "worship" anyone, much less the devil.

"Not so, said Abe on Thursday. He wanted to pray for the souls of the war dead, not honor war criminals, he said. I have renewed my determination before the souls of the war dead to firmly uphold the pledge never to wage a war again," he said. There are more than 2.4 million names enshrined at Yasukuni. But among them are 14 who were found guilty of war crimes by a military tribunal in Tokyo in 1945."

http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/25/world/asia/japan-pm-war-shrine/

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"I have the assumption all that would please China is Japan to totally belittle itself in the face of the world"

Do you mean like Germany did? That would be terrible wouldn't it. Just look at all their diplomatic problems.

(That's sarcasm, in case my uyokusha friends didn't get it)

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LOL! The headline of this article is a laugh in itself.

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@Peacetrain

Do you mean like Germany did? That would be terrible wouldn't it. Just look at all their diplomatic problems.

Germany is blackmailed by every other country in the EU to bail them out, and when they don't the Nazi comparisons are pulled out of the closet and bantied about. It's a great way to wring concessions out of them. Can you tell me how many nuclear submarines Germany has provided Israel with free of charge?

Japan understands the blackmail motives very well, and has no intention of following suit by prostrating itself before its Asian neighbors ala Willy Brandt.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Japan understands the blackmail motives very well,

Thats the price you pay for waging a war of aggression on your neighbours. A shame Japan hasnt the good sense to follow Germany`s example

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How can Abe talk about "the World" standing up to China when he is in a total panic about it?

His "tummy troubles" have started up again.

And he has REAL problems with Okinawa now:

http://www.japanfocus.org/-Gavan-McCormack/4068

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Thats the price you pay for waging a war of aggression on your neighbours. A shame Japan hasnt the good sense to follow Germany`s example

So in your esteemed opinion, how should Australian be called into account for helping the Americans to wage a war of aggression against the Vietnamese? Any political leaders from your country planning to visit the graves of villagers that were murdered, maimed, and raped? Has Australia set up a victims relief fund?

Seems like the only time you have to say you're sorry is when you're on the losing side.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Any political leaders from your country Just because I use the word, aussie as part of my username, does that make me Australian? I could assume your username suggested a past in the Catholic church.

For its part, Australia did not do the following: Forcibly recruit about 200,000 women to be sex slaves for its army. Keep prisoners of war in inhumane conditions, and work them to death or kill them. Perform experiments on living humans (like what happened with unit 731 in Manchuria.

Granted, neither the UK or Australia have an unblemished record when it comes to "assisting the US",(in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq etc) but neither do they deny what they did like Japanese leaders are fond of doing. Moreover, they dont instruct their education department to teach only one-sided propaganda. Im sure this argument sounds familiar?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Ignatius,

Seems like the only time you have to say you're sorry is when you're on the losing side.

Well, the U.S.A. lost the Vietnam war, but I don't see them apologising about it . . .

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Just because I use the word, aussie as part of my username, does that make me Australian?

If someone used Yank or Kiwi in their username, what do you think others would assume them to be?

I could assume your username suggested a past in the Catholic church.

You'd be wrong. I just have a love of reading. Your username suggests nationality, mine is simply a name.

For its part, Australia did not do the following: Forcibly recruit about 200,000 women to be sex slaves for its army. Keep prisoners of war in inhumane conditions, and work them to death or kill them.

If you take the arbitrary number posted in your statement as a baseline, (which is just an estimate, by the way) then I think that Australia has met or exceeded this cruelty/injustice during the "Black War'.

America and its allies were most certainly guilty of sexual crimes during Vietnam. The Hill 192 incident is but one of many that happened, and was so well documents that it was made into a movie starring Michael J Fox and Sean Penn. There were most certainly brothels around, but there wasn't much of a need if US/Aussie/Etc soldiers could just waltz into a primitive village, burn it down, kill the men, and KIDNAP and rape the women.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incident_on_Hill_192

America did fail to achieve it's objective in Vietnam and was forced to withdrawal, but never to make an unconditional surrender, so it (and its allies) was never called into account for the crimes committed there.

Many Germans were interred at the end of the war by Eisenhower in subhuman conditions, yet the US was never taken to task.

Most countries have done horrific things to others at some point in their history. So why is it that only German and Japanese people have to continually show contrition for the past?

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China has made no attempt science its new found power to make peace anywhere in the entire region, only aggression. No one can deny that fact. No one wants to feel dominated by another and China knows this by their own experience. But now China has dominated Tibetans by force, they dominate control over their brainless people by force, force against Vietnam, against Philippines all of this with Japan. When does it end! How will it end. That may be up to China for it to end peacefully or end with lots of blood, which China seems blood is what it wants! We see they are not after peace!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

BertieWoosterJan. 29, 2014 - 02:53PM JST "Seems like the only time you have to say you're sorry is when you're on the losing side."

Well, the U.S.A. lost the Vietnam war, but I don't see them apologising about it . . .

That's because the Vietnamese aren't asking for one and they aren't making anti-American sentiment an official political and diplomatic tool. In fact, not only are they not asking for an apology but they are coordinating with the United States against today's threat; China.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The guy plays with fire.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Abe is being resonable. China PRC is being unreasonable. PRC rantings are starting to sound like Hitler's prior to his invasion of Poland in 1939. Like Hitler, PRC is potentially facing large powerful enemies but PRC is counting on some western 'appeasement' ethic to gain concessions without a fight.

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Three Chinese ships on Sunday patrolled the James Shoal, an area also claimed by Malaysia - Reuters

The James Shoal is just 80km off from the coast of Malaysia.

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