Pelosi regrets Japan's intent to end refueling mission in Indian Ocean

Friday 16th October, 05:47 AM JST

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ebisen at 01:14 PM JST - 16th October

Oh he regrets it, doesn't it :)) ! - My question is why should my tax money be used to fuel the wet dreams of Bush and Company? Where are those "nukular" weapons Japan wanted to fight against in the first place?
Midnightpromise at 05:10 PM JST - 16th October

Brilliant analysis of the Afghan war presented by the typical experts here. I guess no one else has noticed the increase, shift if you will, of the Talibans focus to Pakistan. Pakistan, at least according to that war monger Bush, does indeed have nukes. Humm, yup, no ones in danger from a destabilized Afghanistan or Pakistan. Those silly wet dreams of Cheney and Bush, perhaps now that the great appeaser is in charge we can change them to those silly wet nightmares of the Taliban with a hundred nukes...
MrUSA at 05:39 PM JST - 16th October

Brilliant analysis of the Afghan war presented by the typical experts here. I guess no one else has noticed the increase, shift if you will, of the Talibans focus to Pakistan.

I get what you're trying to say. But I don't think nuking Pakistan is the right solution.
ashika1009 at 06:15 PM JST - 16th October

I agree with you sfpj330 regarding your 9:23AM comment.

I think we can also agree that Pelosi has a horrible reputation as a hypocrite back in America.

As she does not support the war, why does she even gripe to Japan to begin with?

Pelousi is held in contempt by a growing number of Americans. Along with Harry (Dingy) Reid and Barney (Bunny) Frank and Barbara Boxer, uh . . . Ma`am uh Senator, sir. These people are beneath contempt.

As to Japan, Japan as a sovereign nation can decide to not aid the effort in Afghanistan.

In fact, I believe the US should withdraw all bases from Japan and Europe and let them fend for themselves for a change.

That is when you will hear a lot of backpedalling from these nations with US defense subsidies allowing them to slack off on their own defensive posture.

With neighbors like North Korea and Japan, I urge Japan to get tough and fast.

Put WWII in the past, and get on with it Japan.
panzerkampwagen at 06:23 PM JST - 16th October

America's war against Al Qqeda/Taliban was a complete failure,eight years has nothing done but more conflicts in afghanistan and now spreading into Pakistan. Japan should havce some spine to say NO to that crying babe like Nancy, she is just 'face saving'for her boss! Eight years of free fuels was not enough, well even eighty yearsmore of such charity shall never made Uncle sam happy so why not just 'quit'now! It wa sthat Koizumi's shoes polishing habit that drew Japanese people insane! Have had enough!
ReikiZen at 07:25 PM JST - 16th October

Listen I'm in agreement of Japan taking a more proactive approach to it's own affairs. Although it needs to take responsibility for everything that goes along with that as well. Japan will need to be more actively involved in world affairs. Although at present It doesn't seem they are in that mindset. Japan is not just going to get away with doing nothing. Otherwise they will be looked at as just being a hypocrite. To be a player you have to be willing to play the game so to speak. I agree that ending refueling missions is probably necessary. Although they are going to need to help in other areas. Japan can't expect to get any sympathy from any nation if it doesn't hold up it's end of the deal. With new abilities come new responsibilities as well. That is what is expected of being part of the League Of Nations. Japan is wanting a permanent seat on the UN council. This will never happen until Japan truly becoming part of the international community. This is no easy task considering Japan is still among the most extreme xenophobic countries in the world. Another key problem is Japan by it's demographics is limited on how much it can do on it's own. That is part of the problem among island nations. Trade whether Japan likes it or not is still necessary and in fact critical to it existence.

Believe it or not in contrary to popular belief. The U.S. likely would not function without trade as well. Some of you might find this hard to believe but it is a country founded on trade after all. This is especially true now as you would be very hard pressed to find much of anything made in the U.S. anymore. There is only so much any one country can provide on it's own. Japan is no different and while I support it's new found boldness. It does somewhat concern me of it anti west rederick which is worrisome. U.S. considers Japan as probably the most important ally it has. Even more so then Great Britain I believe. I do think Washington supports this if Japan is serious about it new found role. Japan taking responsibility for your own problems and issues likely would be a relief to U.S. Although if Japan thinks it is going to cozy up to China, think again! China has for centuries ingrained Japan as being he enemy. Rightfully so in some cases although the past is the past. It is going to take a mammoth effort on Japan's part to change this. Old feelings die hard and just because they are #1 trade partner. Does not mean China is friend of Japan but it's a start. North Korea is another story which I don't think much will change there either. I also agree that the U.S. should look at this as an opportunity for Japan to prove itself. Taking a back seat might actually be in their favor. The west has always been looked at as being the Big Bad Wolf. Some people don't want to accept that in fact they have done a lot of good as well.

Any superpower is always going to be looked at for all the bad things but never any of the good. If the roles had been reversed and Japan was in U.S. position what would they do? That actually would have been kinda interesting to see. Although I think it is good it happened the way it did. Otherwise Japan likely would be part of China or worse Russia which had been planning on invading Japan just before the war ended. If they feel the U.S. is bad. Russia would have made them seem like a saint. Although maybe by taking a back seat and passing the role to Japan would likely be a good test to see if Japan is capable or ready of taking on world affairs. Regardless of what happens I do hope that US-Japan relations will be somewhat intact when all is said and done. It is in both countries best interests to maintain good relations, even if they don't always agree. The war is over and it is about time both countries put what's in the past in the past and start treating each other with respect and dignity. When Obama comes in November this will be his true test on diplomacy. If he is able to pull this off. I may just have to accept him winning the Noble Peace Prize as justified.
jewel at 08:47 PM JST - 16th October

"Even better idea, let Pelosi go fuel the ships herself and take her entire House buddies to do it."

I will second that and after they refuel, then the House needs put on some combat boots and head for the combat zone in the various military conflicts throughout the world where they are sending other people`s children to fight and be killed for a LOT less money than the House gets for their luxurious lives.
ca1ic0cat at 09:00 PM JST - 16th October

I would love to see the congresscritters have to go off and fight in the wars they approve. Or maybe send their kids, since most congresscritters are fundimentally useless. But ending the refueling mission is short-sighted since it shows Japan as a useless ally in terms of countering Chinese agression as well as simply fiddling with fuel. Expect a lot less sympathy for the people kidnapped by NK and a smaller role for Japan at the next round of the six party talks.

BTW, Pakistan does have nukes. They detonated one some time back to impress the Indians. Now there is a real risk of terrorists getting a nuke. That's a strong arguement for stopping nuclear proliforation. Not that I know how to do that.
rogerbentham at 03:48 AM JST - 17th October

japanese boys should regret with us and send some troops instead. it's an honor to refuel us ships.
YuriOtani at 05:22 AM JST - 17th October

rogerbentham, Japan would rather honor something honorable. It is not our war! We the peaceful people of Japan have sworn off aggression as a means of public policy. The Americans should pay the Russians to do the job.
sfjp330 at 06:24 AM JST - 17th October

It is not our war! We the peaceful people of Japan have sworn off aggression as a means of public policy.

Japan wants to isolated but they want the oil from the battlefield. Iraqi officials have reached an agreement with Japan's Nippon Oil on possibly of financing and developing Nassiriya, which Iraq says has capacity to produce 100,000 barrels per day within 18 months.This is between $8 billion to $10 billion deal. If you say it's not our war, let Japan protect your oil investment in Iraq and Iran by sending your own troops. Don't ask the U.S. to do your dirty work.
ashika1009 at 08:41 AM JST - 17th October

YuriOtani at 05:22 AM JST - 17th October

rogerbentham, Japan would rather honor something honorable. It is not our war! We the peaceful people of Japan have sworn off aggression as a means of public policy. The Americans should pay the Russians to do the job.

Yuri, I can understand your dislike of aggression. BUT on the other hand there are and always will be aggressors out there who will take advantage of weak nations. This is reality and history.

So, avoid aggression, good enough.

But does this mean Japan needs no military to defend itself from possible aggressors??

And is not North Korea a direct threat to YOU in Japan?

This is no utopia no matter how much you hope for it.

This is the real world.

By the way, I don`t recall Japan being a peaceful people for most of its history, for that matter.

In fact, Japan only got peaceful after it was FORCED on it and your very freedom of speech comes from the defeat of an aggressor: Japan.

So, NOW Japan is not an aggressor.

But it should maintain a strong army and navy for defense and should stop listening to China whining about apologies for Japan`s aggression during WWII. That is in the past.

China is now a horribly oppressive country.

I am sure you have heard of Tibet?

Wishing is good, but it usually only gets more people hurt in the end.

It is easy to say NO WAR! But what do you do if a a bully nation attacks Japan?

Mankind is not peaceful by nature. But I agree that war is a terrible thing.

The people who dislike war the most are the ones who know about war firsthand.

But these soldiers also realize that freedom comes with a cost.

I wish it were not so, but it is so.
Delarapier at 03:19 PM JST - 17th October

At this point the situation has deteriorated to such a a negative effect;that it really isn't worth anyone's time to stay in Afghanistan.
panzerkampwagen at 10:33 AM JST - 20th October

The Japanese democratic party has a large crowd of 'Candidates' servicing the People's republic of China, sure they wont keep america demands in mind! Time has changed as the skies of japan has changed!
thepaceisglacia at 08:05 AM JST - 22nd October

YuriOtani please don't forget that Japan was FORCED into swearing off aggression as a means of public policy because of it's previous aggression. Let's not whitewash history please.