Shumatsu_Samurai said...

Shumatsu_Samurai at 03:30 AM JST - 11th June

What NK is going to do?

Launch its conventional missiles, such as the Nodong series. Japan's missile batteries can't cover every significant population centre (the missiles aren't accurate enough to be used against military targets). These could also be filled with chemical or biological agents.

Posted in LDP proposes Japan obtain ability to hit enemy's missile launch sites at 03:30 AM JST - 11th June
Shumatsu_Samurai at 05:07 PM JST - 10th June

Could spur (or further) an arms race, though.

smithinjapan, there's already an arms race. North Korea is spending as much as it can on its military. China has been increasing its defence budget by double digit percentages for many years - reasonable estimates put it at 1.5 or 2 times…

Posted in LDP proposes Japan obtain ability to hit enemy's missile launch sites at 05:07 PM JST - 10th June
Shumatsu_Samurai at 12:21 AM JST - 10th June

KumaNiku

How can the F-35 be the best choice for Japan if the F-4s need replacing before the former can be produced for the ASDF? The F-35 will be a very useful multi-role fighter, but the simple fact is that as Japan has not already got involved in the F-35…

Posted in Japan still hopes for F-22 fighter despite U.S. recommendation of F-35 at 12:21 AM JST - 10th June
Shumatsu_Samurai at 09:49 PM JST - 9th June

flatearther, the F-22 really is primarily air-to-air, though. The ground attack option is well developed, but it's still secondary.

Sarge, Japan's procurement budget is not squeezed to the extent it has to buy Russian.

Posted in Japan still hopes for F-22 fighter despite U.S. recommendation of F-35 at 09:49 PM JST - 9th June
Shumatsu_Samurai at 08:45 PM JST - 9th June

flatearther, thanks for clarifying. What is the definition? The only thing I've heard of is "strike aircraft", which normally refer to ground-attack aircraft (which the F-22 is certainly not).

Posted in Japan still hopes for F-22 fighter despite U.S. recommendation of F-35 at 08:45 PM JST - 9th June
Shumatsu_Samurai at 07:53 PM JST - 9th June

soldave

Does Japan think that by doing this publicly they can twist the arm of the US?

Read what Hamada said. He clearly indicated that the F-35 is not the only option open to Japan. The US is of the opinion that Japan will buy American regardless. The F-35 is…

Posted in Japan still hopes for F-22 fighter despite U.S. recommendation of F-35 at 07:53 PM JST - 9th June
Shumatsu_Samurai at 09:03 AM JST - 7th June

China used her influence within the 53 nations that make up the African Union to shoot down Japan's UNSC bid in 2005.

mushroomcloud, wishful thinking. China was in a minority in the United Nations in opposing Japan's application to become a permanent member of the UNSC. African states blocked expansion…

Posted in Mori critical of China's African assistance policy at 09:03 AM JST - 7th June
Shumatsu_Samurai at 07:40 AM JST - 2nd June

From what I've seen most educated Japanese seem well aware that from 1931 onwards the Military effectively controlled the government leading all the way up to the "suffering" by the people. That Japan still persists in clutching it's "peace constitution" all these years even in the face of US pressure…

Posted in Japanese ambassador in U.S. apologizes to ex-World War II POWs at 07:40 AM JST - 2nd June
Shumatsu_Samurai at 04:48 PM JST - 1st June

Huh? What exactly is Aso to be censured over - the fact he isn't calling the election when the DPJ want it?!

Posted in Hatoyama hints at submitting censure motion against Aso at 04:48 PM JST - 1st June
Shumatsu_Samurai at 08:22 AM JST - 26th May

But you defend the UK?

Den Den, yes I do. Sponsorship of "state terrorism" is a catch-all expression used by people who don't like our foreign policy but are too lazy to get into specifics. Now if you want to say we sell weapons when we "shouldn't" do, ok. But…

Posted in Japan to relax arms export ban, Nikkei reports at 08:22 AM JST - 26th May