politics

Cabinet OKs record defense budget amid China concern

20 Comments
By MARI YAMAGUCHI

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F-35's are lemons, many countries have pulled out of their contracts because they don't meet their minimum requirements. What is Japan doing?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

The cabinet approved a record-high military spending plan Thursday, endorsing proposals to purchase pricey U.S. surveillance drones and F-35 fighter jets as Tokyo steps up cooperation with Washington amid China’s increasingly assertive activity in regional seas.

How wasting money only to make American pockets bigger. This is the real reason behind anti-Chinese propaganda made in USA. Selling weapons to their "allies".

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Why here is a corporate welfare present that just keeps giving to the death industries.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

If there's any country that needs this, it's Japan. With the looming threats that are China and Russia, one can never be too prepared.

That doesn't mean start a war. That means, defend yourself in case of danger.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

"Cabinet OKs record defense budget amid China concern"

Which is miniscule compared to that of China.

sf2kDec. 25, 2015 - 07:12AM JST F-35's are lemons, many countries have pulled out of their contracts because they don't meet their minimum >requirements. What is Japan doing?

They are covering their bases. They have their own stealth fighter under development.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

OssanAmerica

The Raptor Y-22 would be covering their bases. The F-35 is a $1.5 trillion dollar lemon that can't do what jets today can. Get the Y-22 that actually works or use upgraded current models.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

With the looming threats that are China and Russia Japan at present could how its own against China, wouldnt stand much of a chance against Russia though, without America that is.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

I understand that Japan needs more military spending to counter the Chinese arms buildup, but some of the items in that list do not make sense. The F35 has been revealed by now to be corporate pork which is useless as a weapon. And combat tanks? On islands? Where are they supposed to go??

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Wonder if USA will agree to leasing out the equipment need ?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The new security law divided Japanese public opinion, with opponents saying it would increase the possibility of Japan becoming embroiled in a U.S.-led war.

The problem is that if the opponents don't want go to war, the war want to come to them.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

And tomorrow we'll hear more about the tax increases because there's no money.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

sf2kDec. 25, 2015 - 09:23AM JST OssanAmerica The Raptor Y-22 would be covering their bases. The F-35 is a $1.5 trillion dollar lemon that can't do what jets today can. >gett the Y-22 that actually works or use upgraded current models.

If you mean the YF-22, it became the F-22 Raptor but has not been produced since 2012.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

You are spot on, Burning Bush.

The weapon's industry, as any, is based on turnover or profits can't be realized. So it's in the interest of the elite to foster discontent, insight fear and whenever possible have governments get involved in proxy wars, thus using up ammunitions and equipment that need replacements or more advanced models. Profits are slim out there for most productive enterprises, so getting fat corporate welfare contracts is great for business.

We have to guess that posters on this sight who repeat the China and Russia threat mantra derive their income from the death industries or just like to hand over their hard-earned tax payments to economic elite who are having a laugh at all our expense and turn a blind eye to the product of their work--dead women and children and ruined societies.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Burning BushDec. 25, 2015 - 11:03AM JST

"As if there's ever going to be a war with China.

How long would Japan or any Western country last without imports from China?"

If there is a war with China, it will be because China starts it. Who knows what the CPC might do to hang onto power if the Chinese economy tanks, which it is in danger of doing.

Japan or any Western country did very well without imports from China. People have very short memories; until 1972 there were almost no imports at all from China. There is not a single thing "made in China" that could not made anywhere else, and since China has a huge trade surplus with almost every country halting imports from China would hurt China more.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Back on topic please. Posts should focus on Japan's defense budget.

Burning Bush:

" How long would Japan or any Western country last without imports from China? Once warehouse stocks dry up and stores like Walmart completely empty out, society will begin to collapse. "

Really now? I am old enough to remember life before Chinese imports, and let me tell you society did not collapse, in fact manufacturing those products in our own countries was better for society.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan is right because China is a threat.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Japan wants to have their cake and eat it to, do business and make money with China but at the same time call them a threat and use them as an excuse to raise defense spending. Maybe all of those companies who profit from doing business with China should have to cover the costs of the increase in defense spending to counter China.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

When you think about it, i found kind of aggressive to "directly" name a foreign country to justify your army spending...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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