Shumatsu_Samurai said...

Shumatsu_Samurai at 08:15 AM JST - 26th May

I wonder what the EU recommends for Japan's next main striker...

The EU won't recommend anything. France is pushing for Rafale, Sweden Gripen. Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain back the Typhoon.

Rafale is an all-rounded and not what Japan needs, especially if it buys some F-35s. Gripen is cheap and…

Posted in Gates recommends F-35 as Japan's next main striker at 08:15 AM JST - 26th May
Shumatsu_Samurai at 11:38 PM JST - 25th May

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a sexier looking plane than the aptly named F-22 Rapter. And that's all that matters in the end, ain't it?

The Raptor is a better aircraft, but more expensive and not available for sale. The Typhoon is the best thing after it - "sexiness" put aside.

Posted in Gates recommends F-35 as Japan's next main striker at 11:38 PM JST - 25th May
Shumatsu_Samurai at 03:37 AM JST - 25th May

Den Den, speak for your own country, but those countries are hardly all sponsors of state terrorism. The UK is withdrawing/has withdrawn from Iraq and is in Afhganistan with the backing of NATO and the UN. Now I know that some extremists think that unless you act like Ireland and…

Posted in Japan to relax arms export ban, Nikkei reports at 03:37 AM JST - 25th May
Shumatsu_Samurai at 11:34 PM JST - 24th May

I'm sure Gates would push the F-35, but I don't think its air-to-air capabilities are sufficient for it to be Japan's main fighter. It's also not a true stealth fighter.

I would go for a mix of F-35s and Eurofighter Typhoons. JSF is a good all-round product, but the Typhoon…

Posted in Gates recommends F-35 as Japan's next main striker at 11:34 PM JST - 24th May
Shumatsu_Samurai at 10:15 PM JST - 24th May

As usual the usual suspects come out because Japan is moving towards become a normal country. Do they complain of arms exports by China, Europe, the US or indeed any other country? No, just Japan because it's "evil".

Stepping into the real world, this is actually a good thing for…

Posted in Japan to relax arms export ban, Nikkei reports at 10:15 PM JST - 24th May
Shumatsu_Samurai at 09:53 AM JST - 23rd May

Brunobear

Anti-Japanese posters.. obsessed with revenge.." That is a bit rich. If the West and China wanted to seek revenge on Japan they would have done so in 1945. They didn't. They generously assisted Japan to recover and provided Japan with an awesome defence shield ever since.

Your statement has…

Posted in Relatives of Aso mine's British laborers demand apology and compensation at 09:53 AM JST - 23rd May
Shumatsu_Samurai at 05:34 AM JST - 22nd May

The Japanophiles on here would feel different if it were their grandad who suffered in the Aso mine.

I knew plenty of people who fought and suffered at the hands of the Japanese. None were happy about it and some were still angry. But none were demanding of Japan today.…

Posted in Relatives of Aso mine's British laborers demand apology and compensation at 05:34 AM JST - 22nd May
Shumatsu_Samurai at 04:07 PM JST - 18th May

jackfish - then DPRK had their rocket/missile launch/fail and the flu hysteria started. Made people forget how bad Aso is.

I don't believe it was consistently below 10%. World events have helped Aso regain some momentum, but he wasn't that badly down.

As for Hatoyama, we'll have to see if…

Posted in 43.6% support Hatoyama for next premier; 32% support Aso: Kyodo poll at 04:07 PM JST - 18th May
Shumatsu_Samurai at 06:46 PM JST - 17th May

Perhaps if their name didn't have the word 'Communist'

Or they had sensible policies.

Posted in Hatoyama election a boon to LDP; opposition frets over scandal impact at 06:46 PM JST - 17th May
Shumatsu_Samurai at 12:19 AM JST - 17th May

So many anti-LDP types on here supported Ozawa despite repeated warnings from people like myself that he was going to pull the DPJ down.

They must be feeling pretty stupid right now.

Posted in Hatoyama wins DPJ leadership to succeed Ozawa at 12:19 AM JST - 17th May