politics

Japan says South China Sea security impacts national interests

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If there were a war in the South China Sea between China and a third country, Japan would be surely affected. Why do they need to report the obvious?

Security in the South China Sea, claimed almost wholly by China, impacts Japan's interests and could warrant a rethink of military patrol aircraft deployments, the defense minister said

How does this reconcile with these?

China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei have competing territorial claims in the South China Sea.

"We currently do not patrol there or have a plan to do so, but we are deepening our cooperation with the U.S. and the situation in the South China Sea has an impact on our national security, and we are aware that we will need to consider our response," Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told reporters on Wednesday.

He was not talking about "military patrol aircraft deployments", when he said "our response."

2 ( +4 / -2 )

China responded to Thomas’s comments by warning Japan not to “create tension”.

Bit rich coming from the biggest pot stirrer in the region isn't it?

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Very strange article.

Nakatani's remarks came in response to an interview published by Reuters in which Robert Thomas, commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, said Japanese surveillance flights in the South China Sea would help keep tabs on a growing fleet of Chinese vessels overwhelming the surveillance capacity of Southeast Asian nations.

This is the Reuter's report they were talking about. http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/29/us-japan-southchinasea-idUSKBN0L20HV20150129

"I think that JSDF (Japan Maritime Self Defense Forces) operations in the South China Sea makes sense in the future," Thomas said.

From where did the air patrol come into the story?

In addition, I do not think it makes any sense to fly patrol jets from Naha, Okinawa over the Philippines to the South China Sea. Too far.

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I believe within the next 5 years The philippines will allow Japanese naval vessels and aircraft tonoperate jointly on its bases.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

Robert Thomas, commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, said Japanese surveillance flights in the South China Sea would help keep tabs on a growing fleet of Chinese vessels overwhelming the surveillance capacity of Southeast Asian nations.

I dare say I will get some "bads" for this, but I have to say, "No, thank you, Commader. We don't want to get involved with the U.S military strategy any more than abosolutely necessary.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Without the US presence, the CCP/PRC would certainly do more that bully Japan militarily. The communist dictatorship does not fit into the kawaii / かわいい mold so many dream of. Wake up and learn how to defend yourself before its too late. Once freedom, independence and self rule is lost, good luck getting it back. Oh, this may get me some admonishments, no? Japan is not America's weak child, we are partners, friends, allies; hence this adult conversation. North Korean nukes exist due to PRC backing. Increasing tensions by an expansionist, militarized, repressive CCP/PRC; whose propagandists stoke anti-Japanese sentiments on the cusp of the murders of Japanese hostages. Wake up and smell the coffee, my friends. Peace through Strength.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Lets see what Abe & Nakatani are willing to consider without any public disapproval. Everyone (Japanese) seems to get nervous about these topics. But its time to face the reality of collective self-defense in the region.

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Japan, don't play fire, or u will get burned for sure.**

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Thomas’s comments show Pentagon support for a key element of Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s push for a more active military role Asia

Yeah, we all know what happened last time Japanese military had an active role over Asia.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

You mean the people who gain independence from the western colonists?

Or perhaps the economic prosperity that Japan had helped out with all the ODAs, technical and financial resources that was provided?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

im all for japan standing up for itself, but south china sea patrols will unnecessarily embroil them in south china sea conflicts. let those nations that are actually close by stand up for themselves.

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Japan says South China Sea security impacts national interests

Japan has gotten so caught up in their post WWII pacifism that simply stating an obvious fact is startling to some.

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The thing is, I don't think international maritime "law" recognizes territorial claims extending beyond 200 miles from anything not already acknowledged as belonging to one country or another. The Senkakus have been recognized internationally, including China until recently, as Japanese for over 100 years. (Similarly, the Northern Territories were ceded by Russia to Japan in 1875 and then taken from Russia after 1905, though they remained largely uninhabited until before WWII - Japan was forced to sign them away to the Soviet Union in 1951, which the U.S. must be kicking itself for to this day. But I digress.)

Fact of the matter, China's claims on anything in the South China Sea are tenuous at best as most of the disputed islands in the region are physically closer to Vietnam or the Phillipines.

I'd like to see this go to the U.N. or the International Court as tying it up legally and making it higher profile will make it more difficult for China to do anything too aggressive.

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Japan has gotten so caught up in their post WWII pacifism that simply stating an obvious fact is startling to some.

It's not just Japanese extreme pacifists and Article 9 believers. For some Western media, Japan voicing her opinion over its territorial disputes is a sign of her "Imperial Expansionism."

How long is Japan going to be bashed for wanting to stand up her own feet instead of hiding in a shelter made of fellow American soliders lives?

The Shape of Japan to Come by Alexis Dudden, NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/17/opinion/the-shape-of-japan-to-come.html?_r=0

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Similarly, the Northern Territories were ceded by Russia to Japan in 1875

False. The Northern Territories (the four islands) were not part of the 1875 exchange agreement. They were never part of the Russian territory to begin with.

While the International court is the best method to resolve this territorial dispute in the peaceful manner, only the Philippines signed the Declarations Recognizing the Jurisdiction of the Court as Compulsory under ICJ so the rest are not bound to settle this via ICJ.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Jeff Huffman Feb. 06, 2015 - 01:03AM JST Fact of the matter, China's claims on anything in the South China Sea are tenuous at best as most of the disputed islands in the region are physically closer to Vietnam or the Phillipines.

The realities of geography are that other claimants to South China Sea are always going to live in the shadow of China. These countries are all afraid of China, and they are afraid of what China might do to their economy if they cross them. Japan has an abiding interest in freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and they believes that UNCLOS permits any nation to exercise high seas freedoms in the EEZ of any coastal state. So far, China’s actions in the South China Sea have not harmed its economy and its neighbors still line up seeking to improve relations. Japan takes no position on the merits of competing sovereignty claims. It does not favor one country’s claim over another’s.

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nigelboyFEB. 06, 2015 - 01:49AM JST The Northern Territories (the four islands) were not part of the 1875 exchange agreement. They were never part of the Russian territory to begin with.

In a subsequent 1875 Treaty of Saint Petersburg Russia and Japan agreed that Japan would give up all rights to Sakhalin in exchange for Russia giving up all rights to the Kuril Islands in favor of Japan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuril_Islands_dispute#mediaviewer/File:Demis-kurils-russian_names.png

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

In a subsequent 1875 Treaty of Saint Petersburg Russia and Japan agreed that Japan would give up all rights to Sakhalin in exchange for Russia giving up all rights to the Kuril Islands in favor of Japan.

They were not part of the "Kuril Islands" referred in the 1875 treaty. Even your map you linked to delineates the boundary (1855)

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I'll make this short and to the point Japan....your hard work has rewarded you with putting our and everyone's militaries on a economic and financial starvation diet...just as you planned I hope. NOW. YOUR hoarding the money we need to get this uckin job done....what do you want us to do bout this huh?

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Oooops.... what happened? A phonecall from the White House came?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

The realities of geography are that other claimants to South China Sea are always going to live in the shadow of China. These countries are all afraid of China, and they are afraid of what China might do to their economy if they cross them.

This is the problem. No one should have to live in fear of the Big Bully. Enough maritime patrols can make a mockery of China's "claim" just like with the Senkakus.

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U.S.A.? Think oil, think oil denominated in far over-manipulated (U.S. Financial Classes raison d'etre) U.S. fear/faith based, fiat "Funny Money" dollars. It is no secret that the reason for the failed Vietnam conflict was the off shore oil to be shipped to the U.S.A. for even less than the Saudis/OPEC could manage as Texas Oil went dry. Even today the anti-thesis to oil in the U.S.A., very cheap Chinese Solar Panels are sold in U.S.A. with huge tariffs attached(over 250%). All China Seas area from U.S. spy satellites reveals the largest oil field on earth! Many times greater than the Saudis ever had. U.S.A. is addicted to oil and cannot switch to "alternative fuels because "Big Oil" fights every attempt, even crippling nuclear sciences in the U.S., Proof: China's recent fast neutron successes in the face of 1955 U.S. nuclear technologies of doubtful performance?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

All Japanese patrol airplanes will disappear before reaching South China Sea. Don't try to be a hero in the region.

-7 ( +2 / -8 )

All Japanese patrol airplanes will disappear before reaching South China Sea

How? With hiss fits and name calling? ROTFL

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The most efficacious for Japan to exert some security interest in the South China Sea area is to provide assistance, including technology and maybe equipment to the countries that surround the sea. All of them both engage China and hedge against it. If an anti-China Abe administration bets that the countries it supports are bound to be anti-Chinese, then Abe and his minions are bound to be disappointed. So, go ahead, waste your assets patrolling in areas in hopes of solidifying anti-Chinese interests. But Japan would be naive to think that all countries in Southeast Asia want to also benefit from a positive relationship with China. That includes the Philippines and Vietnam.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

All of them both engage China and hedge against it. If an anti-China Abe administration bets that the countries it supports are bound to be anti-Chinese, then Abe and his minions are bound to be disappointed. So, go ahead, waste your assets patrolling in areas in hopes of solidifying anti-Chinese interests.

Like Japan needs China's permission.

As the article states, it serves the interests of Japan with the volume of cargo that's goes through there.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Yoshimi OnishiFeb. 05, 2015 - 06:43PM JST " "Robert Thomas, commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, said Japanese surveillance flights in the South China Sea would help keep tabs on a growing fleet of Chinese vessels overwhelming the surveillance capacity of Southeast Asian nations."

I dare say I will get some "bads" for this, but I have to say, "No, thank you, Commader. We don't want to get involved >with the U.S military strategy any more than abosolutely necessary.

Maybe you should check and see where Japan gets the vast majority of it's energy needs and through what route it is brought to Japan.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

David ChristopherFEB. 06, 2015 - 06:12AM JST I'll make this short and to the point Japan....your hard work has rewarded you with putting our and everyone's militaries on a economic and financial starvation diet...just as you planned I hope. NOW. YOUR hoarding the money we need to get this uckin job done....what do you want us to do bout this huh?

Not sure what you mean by "putting our (presumably U.S.) and everyone's military on and economic (sic) and financial starvation diet."

The U.S., which already has a military budget as large as the next, what, eight or nine nations combined, is set to increase military spending by a minimum of 3% this budget cycle. I'm not sure by who's analysis you come to believe that the U.S. military is financially challenged. Did you mean something else, perhaps?

Hoarding money? If the Japanese government is so flush, why is it so concerned about social welfare expenditures for the young and the elderly? If the Japanese government is so flush, why is it that so little has been done for the hundreds of thousands who were displaced or otherwise made homeless by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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