politics

Japan eyes review of arms export ban

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By what convoluted logic do they seek to explain that exporting weapons contributes to world peace?

Look at the peace in the Middle East created by that "bastion of Freedom" the U.S.A.

Peace is possible.

But NOT through force.

-2 ( +12 / -14 )

BertieWooster, they're just mad that South Korea has just announced they sold Philippines some fighter jets, while Japan's sitting on their hands because of Article 9. It's all about keeping up with their neighbors. Just look at the "Cool Japan" movement that copies Korea, it's the same thing with the defense industry.

-13 ( +7 / -20 )

By what convoluted logic do they seek to explain that exporting weapons contributes to world peace?

Would you say the weapon sales that US does to Taiwan helps keep the peace between China and Taiwan? Would you say the weapon sales the US does to South Korea helps prevent North Korea from invading?

10 ( +14 / -4 )

Join the vultures!

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

dont know where they want to attack soon. cannot be trusted this Hawk!

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

How many countries want to buy weapons from a country that hasn't been on the weapon market for more than 50 years?

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

Live by the sword and die by the sword. Japanese perversion of truth on this issue is written in the war archives and in Hiroshima. Another Abenomic boondoggle is in the making.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

"Japan plans to review its self-imposed ban on weapons exports as it seeks to play a more active role in maintaining global peace..."

Ummm... anyone for a bit of oxymoron? Anything to make a quick buck, I suppose.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

It would have been nice if they had lifted the ban several years ago. That way the US Navy could have bought in to the Kawasaki P-1 instead of using a 737 derivative as a new maritime patrol aircraft.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Isn't it about greedy Japanese corporations pushing their puppets in the LDP and the bureaucracy to change the constitution for the sake of profits? All this neo-nationalistic talk aside, which is just a ruse on the public, it's about the arms industry seeing a business opportunity with the looming resource wars. The road to peace is a decrease in global population, through the respect and education of women, and a decrease in fossil fuel use and consumption by people sold on the idea that ever more things will make them happy.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

Japan plans to review its self-imposed ban on weapons exports as it seeks to play a more active role in maintaining global peace

Guns for peace. What kind of imbecile comes out with this kind of logic? I think Japan has ripped a page out of the NRA's playbook.

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

I find this somewhat ironic. Japan has been one of the major designer and suppliers of drones for at least a decade. It is true that when they're exported the drones aren't specifically configured for carrying weapons, but a fewminutes with a screwdriver and they're weapons-capable.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Apart from the typical Japanese politician foot in mouth disease, Japan being able to export defense technology would contribute to her economy and might even provide some political leverage. Who are we kidding, we've had thousands of years to practice living in peace with each other. Weapons are unfortunately a necessary evil. Nukes would had already been used if it wasn't for M.A.D.

Good fences make good neighbours.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

By what convoluted logic do they seek to explain that exporting weapons contributes to world peace?

The world is only as safe as it's least stable part, which is why countries usually consider a strong military force as a national priority.

It was said the "the Romans maintained peace by constantly preparing for war". The surest way to invite war is by not having the force to resist it.

The world is not entirely made up of peace-loving people who simply want to get along with each other. It is full of animals who walk on two legs and call themselves human, but who don't hesitate to fall bank on their base animal instincts when it comes to being territorial or covetous of what others have. Some of these people are the leaders of countries. The only thing which keeps them in their place is the threat of harm to themselves if they act.

In America I had a license to carry a gun, and I carried a gun at all times. I didn't carry it because I thought everyone was crazy or dangerous, very few people are. But it is these few which one must be prepared for. The same is true on an international scale. Nature abhors a vacuum, and weakness is a vacuum which is especially abhorred; it is usually quickly filled by something stronger.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

I'm all for it. I hope it'll applies to small arms like the Howa and Miroku firearms. Howa sells their M1500 rifles via Legacy Sports International overseas, while Miroku rifles and shotguns are sold in the US via Winchester, Weatherby and Browing firearms. All are well received in US from hunters to firearms enthusiasts. The Howa M1500 Lightning are relatively inexpensive, accurate right out of the box and are well-made. I personally would love to own a Howa Type 89 Assault Rifle, seems like a nice piece of weaponry.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

It really isn't a self imposed ban of arms export. Its more like you need permission from big brother in order for you to export arms.

Much like the Israeli, the only export Japan will make is to US in military electronics. But most of that is dual use anyways. So this whole point is moot. There is no chance that US will allow Japan to enter into the arms industrial export complex and compete against US. Not a chance in hell if Japan wish to continue to acquire state of the art weaponry from US.

Just focus on the economy by making cars, playstations and stuff. Japan really don't want to get all twisted in arms export. There might be irreversible adverse effects arising from that.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

"Look at the peace in the Middle East created by that "bastion of Freedom" the U.S.A."

The vast majority of that region's problems are self-created and perpetual. They've been at war for thousands of years before the USA ever existed.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

"Japan plans to review its self-imposed ban on weapons exports as it seeks to play a more active role in maintaining global peace..."

Anyone else see the irony in this?

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

If Abe sneezed, it would unnerve China and South Korea.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Both PRC and ROK actively export military equipment. Accusing Japan of doing the same is plain hypocrisy.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

The thing called weapons here is mainly ships and underwatercrafts. yes, but ships are related to Aegis Ship.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Anything for a buck Abe! And, who in particular do you intend to sell this stuff too? North Korea? Muslim extremists? Somalia? Anyone with the money to pay for it, of course!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Exporting Arms -> peaceful???? More like making some money than anything else. On the other hand, since the so-call world police (US) also sells arms even though it says it is maintaining peace, so why not? Also, instead of write off older generation of HW, spend money on either keeping them or scraping them, might as well sell them to some 3rd world countries. It just business.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

As expected, I see a lot of people banging on about not getting peace via force. Right, and I suppose Hitler surrendered because we wrote him a letter. It had nothing at all to do with the Allied Nations and Russia pushing back the Nazi's on both sides, forcing them into defeat, which then led to peace. You can try earning peace with hippy slogans and protests, but it won't work. If anything it ony encourages violence, as everyone who isn't a hippy will oppose this "Free Love" nonsense. You simply cannot earn peace without using some degree of force. Conflicts have raged for thousands of years, and will continue to do so for thousands more. But I think this review will be a good thing for Japan, helping to bolster the economy and (hopefully) provide more jobs. And let's face it, with North Korea threatening to let fly with the nukes every five minutes, and with China constantly harassing Japan, a more active defense industry can only be a good thing. So that's my opinion, now watch as all the hippy-types down vote it into oblivion with their dope addled logic.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Export weapons to maintain global security?

I wonder who came up with that turd of propagandistic logic.

I would have more respect for the Japanese gov't if they just came out and told the truth -- JAPAN WANTS TO REDUCE THE RECORD HIGH EXPORT DEFICIT BY SELL WEAPONS.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Both PRC and ROK actively export military equipment. Accusing Japan of doing the same is plain hypocrisy.

PRC would be afraid as the newst military technology being spread all over South Easr Asia and ROK because Japanese more advanced arms technology would be probably chosen over by many countries and they want to become the sole 'aliance' exporter in Asia. That's all what needs to be said.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Dennis BauerOct. 22, 2013 - 09:12AM JST How many countries want to buy weapons from a country that hasn't been on the weapon market for more than 50 >years?

A quick look at the JSDF inventory shows their tanks, planes and ships are top quality and built in Japan, in many cases under license from the U.S. I think that many countries would interested. But realistically Japan isn't geared for exporting arms of this sort, their specialty is in high end systems especially those that can be integrated into other allied countries' systems. Back in Gulf War I the world got the first look at U.S. "smart bombs". Those opticals that targeted them and gave us those great blow up images were courtesy of a non-weapons exporting Japan.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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