Aso negative about SDF dispatch to Afghanistan

Wednesday 29th October, 06:24 AM JST

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thepro at 09:52 AM JST - 29th October

Aso: 'Hey, how about we change that pesky constitution everybody?'
Samuraiiki at 11:03 AM JST - 29th October

This is called Wagamama, or selfishness. It is ok for you to come to my rescue, but when you need my help, I can not help you. Keep practicing it, and you will see that eventually the so called alliance will crumble.
OssanULTRA at 11:17 AM JST - 29th October

While this news would understandably disappoint those who were seeking a >greater role for Japan in helping on the war on terror, at the same time >it refutes the notion that Japan is on a militaristic warpath

That notion exists only to the immediate west of Japan. Here in the US we wold like to see Japan play a bigger role in regional and global security matters.
soldave at 11:40 AM JST - 29th October

OssanULTRA - exactly, but they won't do that because they don't really want the responsibility.
ptolemy at 11:54 AM JST - 29th October

If I couldn't fire back in a war zone, I shouldn't be there to begin with. I think for once Aso said something resembling an intelligent remark, wow, in one week Ishihara, Iran mullahs, and now Aso make intelligent remarks. As much as it pains me to admit it.
some14some at 01:01 PM JST - 29th October

Aso was assuring that he will make Japan 'cheerful and strong' nation and now he is afraid of sending SDF to Afghan, yeah, we know article-9 but it is not rigid rather quite flexible depending on LDP's personal agenda.
yosun at 01:42 PM JST - 29th October

The Constitution is called Peace Constitution, that means the action of SDF dispatch to Afghanistan should be up to if it's really better for peace of the region or not? think about it before making decision!
cleo at 01:47 PM JST - 29th October

The Constitution is called Peace Constitution, that means the action of SDF dispatch to Afghanistan should be up to if it's really better for peace of the region or not?

Not quite. The actual wording is, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.

If it isn't the threat or use of force that's being used in Afghanistan right now, what is it?
Nessie at 04:09 PM JST - 29th October

The Constitution is called Peace Constitution

And the Self-Defence Forces are called domestic security force, like the police. And police fly fighter jets.
adm_kenshin at 07:49 PM JST - 29th October

Afghanistan is a real mess, one that I think cannot be solved by firing more bullets. I agree with Aso, a strategy for reconstruction should be available before the JSDF is sent. If they're sent with a clear mission, to protect reconstruction efforts, and only firing in self-defense, I think that it's acceptable under the current article 9.

About the UNSC, Japan does provide a substantial amount of funding, and it would be nice with one nation there that is not willing to use force as means of settling international disputes. Maybe we'll see some seriously needed alternative plans.
adm_kenshin at 07:50 PM JST - 29th October

Nessie: No, they're not. The SDF's goal is clearly to defend Japan against foreign military invasion, it would be illegal to use the SDF for police duties inside Japan.
Betting at 11:44 PM JST - 29th October

Economic woes, deciding when to hold an election, possible raising of consumption tax (one day) ... there is no way they'll send the SDF overseas, as it would greatly affect election day.

But on the other hand, sending troops to those messes that are Iraq and Afghanistan ... I don't think many countries would relish that anyway.
OssanUSA at 01:27 AM JST - 30th October

Nessie: No, they're not. The SDF's goal is clearly to defend Japan >against foreign military invasion, it would be illegal to use the SDF >for police duties inside Japan.

Then is it legal to use the SDF to protect Japan from Godzilla? Have I been mislead all these years?
teaabe at 04:09 AM JST - 30th October

the problem with afghanistan is that it's in muslim country.
if another country invaded texas and did what they're doing in afghan now, then all hell would break lose. leave them alone, taliban or not.
bushlover at 12:51 PM JST - 2nd November

Teaabe what are you on about? Taliban supported training camps that targeted other countries so what are we supposed to do? It was a new kind of warfare situation so there is a need for a revision of outdated "clauses" and allow for proven countries to play their part instead of using stupid excuses that are getting kind of old to get out of their duty to the overall global good. Get your head out of Aso. Think for the future not the past.