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The news has turned grisly of late. It seems only yesterday that al-Qaida was the ultimate synonym for organized global horror. No longer. An offshoot known as Islamic State, having invaded and conquered a large swath of Iraq and Syria, makes al-Qaida look scrupulous.
Brutality the two groups share. Where Islamic State comes out ahead is in social networking expertise. It has turned mass murder and indiscriminate beheading into the spearhead of a recruiting drive – a highly effective one, by all reports, with droves of fighters joining them from all over the world, ready to do whatever it takes to extend the “caliphate” the group claims to be setting up in its newly conquered territory.
The beheading of two American journalists, circulated on the Internet, was the world’s first indication of what seems to many an altogether new level of evil committed in the name of religion. Other beheadings followed, the horror they caused in some circles only adding to the group’s appeal in others.
Another asset Islamic State boasts that al-Qaida would have given much for is fighters with useful citizenships – North American, European, Australian, and so on. Their passports give them relatively easy access to the nations that top radical Islam’s enemy lists. What that could mean became apparent on Sept 18, when Australian police arrested 15 young men in Sydney, Brisbane and elsewhere in the country, on suspicion of being poised to carry out instructions from Islamic State to kill anyone anyhow by any means, broadcasting the mayhem live on the Internet.
Is Japan vulnerable? asks Weekly Playboy (Oct 13).
A prior question arises. Many of Islamic State’s foreign fighters are Western-born, Western-educated young adults who grew up with Islamic culture as a background to but not the core of their lives. Certainly radical, fundamentalist Islam was alien to most of their upbringing. What can Islamic State possibly offer them? What is its appeal?
The disaffected seek alternatives; the radically disaffected seek radical alternatives, Weekly Playboy hears from international journalist Morley Robertson. “Discrimination, a widening gap between rich and poor, poverty,” says Robertson, ticking off a list of discontents. “Young people in despair feel they can’t trust adults. For example – British young people with Arab parents watched the news of Israel’s bombing of Gaza (this past summer). The parents say, ‘Israel is evil’ – but they don’t do anything about it, they live quite comfortably in England, which supports Israel. Discrimination against Muslims by white society – they don’t do anything about that either. To young people, these compromises seem base and cowardly.”
Japan, at first glance, seems worlds removed from all this. Japan’s Muslim population is small. Japan’s military is not bombing Middle East targets. True, but Weekly Playboy points out, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has lately expressed support, though guardedly, for the U.S.-led coalition that has lately extended its air attacks against Islamic State from Iraq into Syria. More significantly, Robertson explains, the ranks of the disaffected and alienated in Japan are growing. Young people falling farther and farther behind economically see no hope for redress in conventional politics. So far the worst outrages against the established order have not gone beyond “hate speech,” which is bad enough.
Could it go farther? Imagine, Robertson suggests, a suicide terrorist attack on Hiroo or Roppongi, two Tokyo neighborhoods where Americans are known to hang out. Live video, instant global broadcast, instant (though posthumous) heroism – it’s an attractive mix, to some. No evidence is presented of anything brewing – which doesn’t prove, however, that nothing is.
© Japan Today
82 Comments
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combinibento
Interesting the word "brewing" is used in this sentence, because this type of silly statement brings to mind Bertrand Russell's teapot. (Showing that if he claimed there was a teapot orbiting the sun in outer space, it would be ludicrous for people to believe him simply because they can't prove him wrong.) Bottom line here is that if there is no evidence of a threat, as the author above admits, why even spend the time writing about this bizarre fantasy of ISIS committing crimes against Tokyo?
NZ2011
Is there an immediate threat to Japan from this group, I don't think so, however, I think its pretty clear that unquestionable dogma of any kind can be dangerous.
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing"
roughneck
Of course it can! Do you know how many mosques are there in Japan now? Nearly hundred! You just don't see them because they are not shaped like a mosque. And where does the funding to run these mosques come from? What do they preach? Anyone monitoring?
http://www.masjid.jp/list.html http://www.masjid.jp/
"Masjid building rush was started after 1990, when foreign Muslims (most of whom came to Japan in 80s) became economically established & settled their roots in the Japan's soil. Many of these foreign Muslims have married to Japanese converted Muslims. Alhamdolillah, the Japanese Muslim community is increasing steadily in Japan. Masjids are the centers of these small communities, scattered throughout Japan. These Masjids are not only the place of prayers for these Muslims, but also a place of study, especially for converted Muslims & new generation. Most of the Masjids have facilities for women & children."
turbotsat
There have been very few major single-incident terrorist attacks anywhere.
News exposure and countermeasures are kept high by sprinkling isolated attacks.
harvey pekar
You mean, does Japan have lonely people seeking others who would accept them or give them a purpose of any kind to live, or people who are easily swayed by effective marketing? Yes, Japan does. So of course the Islamic state could reach here.
StormR
Big muslim population in saitama, a big musque in Shinjuku, and even some car auctions have prayer rooms for muslims, they are and have been pretty well established here for some time, lets hope they are the moderate ones.
I think it is possible for a young Japanese to be influenced and disaffected enough to try a shock act on a Tokyo street in the name of islam or isis but think it is highly unlikely.
However when out in public I always keep an eye on any muslim looking types anyway and try to keep my distance from them, and have for years.
smartacus
StormR
What does a "Muslim-looking type" look like?
Kaerimashita
No, unless Honest Abe decides to send troops or provide other support for the current Western Crusade.
warispeace
At the end of his piece, Robertson seems to be suggesting that an attack could come from the growing "ranks of the disaffected and alienated in Japan." Aum Shinrikyo's violence shows that indeed Japan is not immune from local terrorism and this is probably a more likely source.
ratpack
Could Islamic State reach Japan? Sadly the Japanese are so naive that they think no harm could possibly come to their country. Admittingly Japan is a much safer country than my home base but in asking whether or not the Islamic State could reach Japan......don't for one second think that there aren't thousands already here who would join there radical idiotic brainwashed cause overnight if need be.
ReformedBasher
I try smiling at them because we're both the same species.
samwatters
"Bottom line here is that if there is no evidence of a threat, as the author above admits, why even spend the time writing about this bizarre fantasy of ISIS committing crimes against Tokyo?"
Because it is a KUCHIKOMI article which is meant to stir up debate, discussion and disagreement and right now no subject is more polarizing than Islamic State.
gokai_wo_maneku
Yes, it will happen here. As the poor get poorer, they get no benefit from society and have nothing to loose. And they will certainly be attracted to IS because it is so exotic. "Exotic" will attract them easily. So get ready. I bet: Roppongi.
Probie
The only reason Japan would be attacked is because it is an American ally. The reason Japan could be attacked is because it is such an easy target. An attack on public transport, if done correctly, could kill thousands, with little effort. Not even with explosives. A more planned and better executed Sarin attack could easily be carried out. Especially since jihadists don't care about dying themselves, unlike the Aum people who fled.
The only way Japan is targeted, is if ISIS want to send a message and choose the easiest target.
Frungy
Ummm... so, a lot like every military in the world then?
"Join up! Travel to far away places! Meet people... and kill them!" has been the unofficial marketing slogan of naval forces all over the world for the past 100 years.
And this is no different. Personally I think that the IS attracting foreigners is the best thing that has happened to the Western world in the past 50 years, it is essentially weeding out the sociopaths and killers and sending them off elsewhere, a lot like militaries across the world. I mean honestly who signs up for the military during war-time except for someone to whom the idea of killing other human beings for a living is acceptable.
The "war" in Iraq and Afghanistan has passed half a million civilian casualties, which makes the Islamic State look like a bunch of boy-scouts.
Take a long hard look in the mirror and remove the log from your own eye before you presume to just the Islamic State. This article is transparently another piece of biased fear-mongering trying to drum up support for yet another war.
Daniel Neagari
@ratpack mmm.. yes you are kind of right. But the prices of gas in Japan is too high, you cannot buy gunpowder so easily and if you have access to it you most probably will be easily tracked. Chemicals are probably more easy to get hold of... but the knowledge to make explosives, or gas agents is kind of complicated.. sure people can buy a couple of hundreds of cleaning products and mix them... but that already is going to be suspicious.
None the less, Japan does live in a state that "nothing is going to happen to us"... reason why it may be a relatively easy target... but in order to be able to do a big scale terrorist attack in here you have to have a lot of resources (monetary and manpower) as well as big motive to strike here. You must know how hard is for a foreigner (non-japanese) to reside here in Japan and what are the requirements to do so...so the most of the Muslims who live here in Japan are not radicals (in fact can assure you that most of them are in a way "detached"), they highly intelligent and have a good educational background. People with that kind of profile are hardly drawn to fanaticism..
It could happen non the less..
nath
No bigotry here. Carry on.
bass4funk
Exactly, I couldn't agree more. As safe as Japan is, being vigilant is important. The Japanese should study more and learn more about Islam and to understand the community good, bad and to also study about radical Islam as to how it has become mainstream in Geopolitical politics and how and what the radical Jihadists want. The Japanese need to realize that they are NOT immune from radical Islam.
JoshuYaki
I always wondered why Toyota never put their foot down and refuse to deliver the pickup trucks to ISIS. Granted there is evidence that another government bought them but it must have been obvious to the Toyota salespeople where they were going. Toyota's badge is as evident as the black flag with white writing
Yubaru
I feel sorry for you and any off-spring you may have or ever have for your line of ignorant thinking. I highly doubt you could tell the difference between a Muslim or non-Muslim just by their looks, and btw there are more non-Arab Muslims in the world than Arab's, and not all the people to describe here are Muslim either.
This is just bigoted and ignorance playing to the crowds and spreading fear where there really is nothing to fear.
descendent
@JoshuYaki
Given the way vehicles change hands easily, I highly doubt Toyota (or any manufacturer) could control where they go in the secondary markets. Of course, you are suggesting they knowingly delivery straight to ISIS ... I doubt that's the case but if you have evidence to prove otherwise I'd be interested in seeing a link or something.
onagagamo
@Yubaru - Stop moaning just because someone doesn't agree with your politically correct version of the world.
Yubaru
There is a difference between PC and ignorance.
bass4funk
@frungy
Not even remotely close.
Seriously??? The military isn't in service to just kill people. That is very insulting to the people that serve the armed forces. They are there to protect the nation, the people the country, our allies to help with humanitarian domestically as well as internationally if need be and the need to stop any force that would threaten the country, the people and it's shores or natural interests.
Wow, Frungy.....just wow, that's all I can say. So you think that ISIS is the same as the US military?? How do you make that moral equivalency? I'll just stop there before I get my thread deleted.
And why is that? Funny thing is, you never talk about the sectarian violence that is destroying these countries, especially Iraq and you never talk about the millions of innocent people that were murdered and butchered by their own people. Throwing acid in girls faces, public hanging, beatings, chopping off limbs, cutting out tongues, female castrations, beheadings, honor killings that has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with the US and yet, there is NO outcry or anger towards the people that are doing 99% of the atrocities namely their own people. Where is your outrage towards these people?
Actually, it is just the Islamic State.
Hmmmm, Obama said that Al Qaeda was defeated and that the war was won and what do we have now? And when Obama pulls out of Afghanistan, what do you think will happen then it will make Iraq and Syria look like a Disney resort. And the fallout will be without the help of the US and when the Taliban make a complete comeback, I sure hope you will be outraged by the violence of this terror group and voice this on JT and condemn it in the strongest terms! The world has EVERY right to be concerned about radical Islam and it has to be taken seriously and I am very glad we are talking about this, I was hoping for a long time that JT would bring up this very important question.
WilliB
Silly article. The "Islamic state" will not reach any further than the Sunni areas of Eastern Syria and Western Iraq that they control now. Nobody seems to notice that ISIS is basicall a Sunni liberation movement.
However, if the article writer means generall islamist terrorism, that has reached Japan already. Remember what happened to Professor Igarashi, the Japanese translator of Rushdies`s Satanic verses? If not, look it up.
nath
Israel is evil? Really? Let's see you have hundreds of missiles falling on you every day, your friends kidnapped and murdered, and tunnels being dug into your backyard and see how you respond.
Pandabelle
Seems like the media and politicians are hellbent on turning this group of violent idiots in remote part of Syria and Iraq into the New Threat that we are all supposed to fear.
Are they trying to do the ISIS's job for them, or is it just working out that way?
jumpultimatestars
"Brutality the two groups share" Yoda grammar for the win.
budgie
While 'anywhere is a target' I think it's more fashionable for Jihadists to attack America and the west - so-called 'christian' nations with whom they think they have the biggest bone to pick.
bass4funk
How is it absurd? What is absurd is when people think, NOT mentioning radical terrorism is just a figment of the imagination and should be dismissed. Being aware is NOT giving ISIS necessarily attention as making the public aware of a real threat.
livinginnagoya1983
I think it is funny how we in the west are constantly thinking that we are in danger from terrorists because of one event that happened over 13 years ago... There have have been a lot, a lot, a lot more school shootings in the U.S.A since then. Read Orwells 1984. Youre living it people.
WilliB
Pandabelle:
That "group of violent idiots" is a country now, occupying central parts of Syria and Iraq, including several major cities, oil wells, and a large arsenal of modern military equipment. They are also extremely proficient in getting ideologal message across and attracting new followers every day. They have also just opened a de-facto embassy in Istanbul. Does not look all that idiotic to me.
WilliB
livingnagoya1983:
There have been a LOT of terrorist attacks since 9/11, and before 9/11 too for that matter. Are you saying you are unaware of that?
Kaerimashita
What possible motive would there be for IS to attack Japan unless Japan supports the NATO action?
WilliB
Kaerimashita:
The same motive that made them kill the Yazidis, Christians, and Druzes (and Shiite muslims for that matter) in their area? That is not good enough for you? Have you missed that the Caliphate ultimately is supposed to be global?
"Motive" is not the issue. Means is. Realistically, ISIS can control the Sunni areas in Easter Syria and Western Iraq, and that is what they will do.
Wakarimasen
WiiiiB. They kill the locals because they can. and because they compete for resources and all. Japan is surely waaaaay down their list of countries to pick a fight with. Maybbe supposed to be global but going to be some time before they even get close to expanding in what used to be the old Muslim lands.
Liberty Joe Lowe
These terrorist groups are a disgrace to Islam
WilliB
Wakarimasen:
No. They give them the option to convert to Wahabi islam instead of being killed. What does that have to do with "resources and all"?
detlef langer
@WilliB (mostly): I think you're right except one thing, i.e., IS basically being a "Sunni liberation movement". I'd say it's already gone far beyond that. Besides that - regarding the question, why should IS attack Japan (or any other nation, for that matter): As you put it, the Caliphate is supposed to be global, which means, Japan as well is a country of "infidels" or "unbelievers" who have to be or will be given the choice of either a) accepting Islam (which by the way means "voluntary submission to God", not "peace" as it's frequently misunderstood), or b) live under Islam's rule and paying Jizya (non-Muslim tax) or c) being killed.
StormR
Frungy
I find this comment offensive, if it wasn't for our fore fathers who signed up and fought the Nazis and the Japanese during world war two the world may very well be a different place, these people ensured our freedom and way of life, I thank these people. You dishonour them with this comment.
WilliB
StormR
Frungy also seems to have forgotten that the first war the US navy ever fought was against an organization that was very much like ISIS today, aka the Barbary Pirates of Tripolis. Read the statements of the Tripolis Sultan from that time, and you almost have PR statement by ISIS.
So who was robbing ships, murdering crew, and taking slaves at that time? Both parties?
JeffLee
The murder of 10 Japanese engineers in Algeria last year in a "single incident" by Muslim gunmen was kinda "major." Some people have short memories.
Yeah, it could happen here.. Maybe not ISIS but any of the all the other Islamist groups... if Japan were to adapt the kind of multi-culty immigration policies found in Europe.
bass4funk
3 people were beheaded within the last month, foreigners and the radical Islamists swore to destroy the West and you think they are just talk, the Australian police just foiled an attempt from individuals linked to radical Islam to capture, film, televise and behead someone with the intention of letting Australians know that the Jihadists are in their country. Last week in Oklahoma, a crazed lunatic that was a converted Islamist, slash disturbed individual attacked two of his co workers, stabbing one to death and beheading her and the other nearly stabbing her to death until a cop came and shot him. Again, you are making it seem like in the states, school shootings are a daily occurance and that takes precedence over radical jihadists that 1) control a lot of oil and money. 2) that are sworn to destroy America, regardless of how long it was. That's like saying the Halocaust happened almost 70 years ago, why do we need to have a memorial service? There are a lot of foreigner fighters that hold passports that can easily come and go and you don't need to have a giant attacks with hundreds of guys. Look at what happened in Boston, so you can do a lot of damage even with just one person if you know what you are doing. The terrorists love that kind of slack off attitude, keep your guard down and don't take this seriously, makes it easier for them to come and try to kill us. Look at that idiot that got into the White House the other day? Security was way too relaxed, if they would have been more vigilant, there is NO that guy would have been able to get that close to the w White House. The real danger is when people like you don't take these jihadists serious enough. We need to be on top of our game all the time and the terrorists have be right just once.
tmtmsnb
What will happen to Japan if most of its power is down, factories, transportation means stopped, fighter planes, war ships, other military facilities ceased to function, people's jobs disappeared? Then Japan is a sitting duck. What happens if situation lasted for a year? Then Japan a dead duck. Same thing will happen to Korea, China, and most western countries.
To make it happen, al-Qaida and Islamic State must control all Middle Eastern oil wells, and do an oil embargo. And the reason they have not done it, is because most Middle Eastern oil producing countries cooperate with oil importing countries, adapting a rational, balanced supplying policy, let alone an oil embargo.
So the conflict, really, is an internal one: Middle eastern against Middle Eastern. In that, Tokyo is not a target--long term yes, but not now.
Stuart hayward
The IS isn't in Japan nor will they likely come. Is it possible? Yes, but highly unlikely. Notice how there still hasn't been a follow up story to confirm or deny, that the nine Japanese supposibly joined IS? I'm sure Israel had had enough time to present their findings to Japanese officials but still no mention, just uncertainty and fear.
smig1975
One of the worst, most pointless , lack of facts piece of "journalism" I've ever read .
Frungy
The truth is insulting?
... and they achieve all the objectives you state by killing people. That's the bottom line. I've never seen a military armed with lolipops and good wishes, they're all armed with guns, tanks and bombs. That's because they KILL people. You clearly have a problem admitting that reality.
Nope, I didn't say that. I said that people who join the military think that killing people is an acceptable means to an end. Prove me wrong, because all the facts are in my favour, and none are in yours.
... And you don't talk about the school shootings in the U.S., the drunken drivers killing thousands every year, the gang deaths in the inner cities, the death penalty and a hundred other evils that plague your society. And that's the problem here, you've fallen for the oldest trick in the book, distracting people from the evils in their own country by pointing their attention overseas.
I do condemn it in the strongest terms, but I also condemn adding to the violence by bombing innocent civilians as a "solution". You're falling for another logical fallacy, the idea that I have to be either "for" them or "for" you. Frankly both sides disgust me.
bass4funk
->... and they achieve all the objectives you state by killing people.
So you are suggesting when a person tries to kill me, I'm suppose to put my weapon down, try to talk some sense into him and hope for the best that he doesn't kill me, because defending myself is an absolute crime.
Usually in war people get killed, been in it, know what it looks and smells like. No one has ever said, the the US military is perfect and without flaws, but overall speaking, the US has military done more good in its entire history to defend freedom of our own and other nations as well as to vanquish and destroy our enemies. Yes, I have no problem admitting that, none whatsoever.
Then why have a military at all, let's just all have open borders and let's do what we want, when we want and how we want just like.....hey, I got it! The world should be like the radical Jihadists and do whatever they want. No military, just armed thugs and mercenaries doing as they please, robbing strealing, and all the good stuff! The facts are not in your favor, being in the military, you swear an oath to protect your country against any adversary foreign or domestic,even if you have to use deadly force to meet that objective. As for Japan, you never know, but it's a good idea to entertain that thought. What would Japan do if there were a terrorist attack, how would it handle it. Anything is possible and Japan better wake up and stay alert, becuase it just takes one time....
It's funny how you have NEVER mentioned any outrage about radical jihadists across the entire ME causing destruction and havoc and yet, you want to focus on the US (as usual) and dismiss all the terror and destruction ISIS is causing in the world chaos, turmoil and destruction everywhere. Where is your outrage or do you just want to be selective in that outrage?
Uh, this thread is about radical Islam coming possibly to Japan. But when the appropriate topic of the day comes up, I will discuss that as well, trust me.
Then we both agree, if Obama were to send in ground troops then we would have less need for droning innocent people, but as such it is warcand you will always have casualties. If you don't like it, nothing can be done about it. What disgusts me are the jihadists, I have no sympathy for them and the more we kill, the better off we all will be.
Moderator
Back on topic please.
UK9393
It's an idea. Ideas know no boundaries, respect no borders. Ideas, the most profound function of our being can be wielded by anyone, anywhere for good or not. So the question is rhetorical.
JoeBigs
Could Islamic State reach Japan?
If Muslim radicals started attacking and beheading Japanese citizens or foreigners here the Japanese authorities would clamp down hard on those Muslims who have been living here a long time.
So no, I don't think ISIS will reach Japan, because if they did and started killing the Muslims here would report them in a heartbeat.
Before you ask, yes I do know some Muslims who live here, very nice folks.
bass4funk
Not quite sure about that.
I totally disagree, I don't think if there were a backlash if it got to the point that Japan would be overrun, I doubt it very much that Japan would institute a crackdown for fear of reprisals and never having to deal with radical Islam on their home soil. They probably wouldn't know how to react or what drastic action to take.
There are nice people in every racial, ethnic and religious group, but we are not talking about the nice ones. We are talking the radicals.
WilliB
Joe Bigs:
Just for your reference, professor Igarashi, translator of the Rushdie book, was murdered in Tsukuba, and his publisher violently attacked. And I don´t recall any "clamping down" by the government; the the contrary, their reaction was to ask the publisher to withdraw the book, which they did. So your point is?
JoiceRojo
The headline of the article was promising, but then when I read "Is Japan vulnerable? asks Weekly Playboy" I kinda lost interest of the article.
I came again to read it completely, but as it tends to happen with some serious article or something that is worth a debate, the article is really poorly written, misleading the answers expected from the readers, first it talks about detachment of young people, hinting that they could be easily swayed towards Islamism, but with an example of Great Britain. What are the evidence of young Japanese with Arabic or Muslim descent feeling detached, discriminated or cast away in Japan? I've read that discrimination in Japan is more "democratic" it could be against Latino, American, European, African, Indonesian, Chinese or Korean and of course Arabic. But what it makes different from other countries is that it is not based on religion, I've met a lot of Indonesian people that are Muslim, and Indonesia is quite close to Japan, but I don't get if there is discrimination against Indonesian because they are Muslim.
On the other hand, Japan "supporting" with U.S. attacks on Islamic State, I think you have to think more strategically, Will Japan gain sympathy from the WORLD if it suffers an attack?, true, when the Tohoku disaster happened it came aid form everywhere, but at the same time, it was kinda evident that Japan healing process was from inside, meaning that the impact on a possible attack could have some similar response and not generate the expected effect, that is the feeling that Japan would retaliate or ask for "help" in attacking back.
StormR
Some of you may not recall that al qaeda members were found in japan years ago, this is fact look it up. Living in Saitama and Niigata, Seriously.
There is no reason to think that IS sympathisers are NOT already here and have been here for years, I would not be surprised if there was an attack by these jihadist mongrels.
I know the mods do not like my posts but the truth is the truth, one person I speak of was in the car business attending auctions and funding his jihadist brothers, others have also been involved.
Anyone who cannot see the reality of what this islamist nation wants to do with the west is deluded, its no good laying down your weapons and hugging them that isn't going to work.
JTDanMan
No.
nath
Japan is safe. Unlike the ‘Murican government that thumps its chest, claims self-righteousness & bullies other countries, Japan tends to mind its own business & not create a lot of enemies (at least nowadays. Back in the day, they were just like the United States is, now).
JTDanMan
Mark
Gee. Ever wonder why Japan "tends to mind its own business." Its not what you think. Its not just that the US beat her into submission.
Its that Japan's minding its own business is predicated on US violence.
bass4funk
@JT
Of course it can. As long as we have planes, trains, cars, there is always that possibility or can you emphatically prove that it will NEVER happen? Somehow I have that sinking feeling you can't.
And you know why, right?
Love how you totally excluded Japan from its past. LOL
SuperDonQuixote
The question is how the Japanese would react to such an attack. If the Muslim community in America had a hard time following the September 11 attacks, it's probably small time compared to the persecution they would face in Japan.
bonestructure
"s there an immediate threat to Japan from this group, I don't think so, however, I think its pretty clear that unquestionable dogma of any kind can be dangerous."
I think there's an immediate threat to every country. This is some scary stuff. I honestly think we are possibly looking at the start of world war 3 here. I hate war, I really do. I think it's incredibly stupid to kill people for what are, basically, silly reasons, and killing for religion is among the silliest. We should have evolved past killing each other by now. But honestly, I have to say that these people should be put down like rabid dogs. And I have great respect for most Muslims. But when you start killing and going to extremes for religious reasons, I think you've given up any right at all to call yourself a Muslim or to claim you're following Islam. Extremism in the name of religion violates everything that religion teaches. No matter WHAT religion it may be.
kaimycahl
All Japan has to do is say they are going to fight terrorism and then they will see those in hiding coming out! Its best Japan not reveal anything because they would be an easy target.
Todd Topolski
The article is ok but misses one major IS stated goal, anyone not them must die. World history also shows what happens when people like this start trying to take control. They dont stop at borders or seas or oceans. How many times did Mongols attempt to invade Japan? They owned most of the known world, why did they need some small islands, especially after the first few failures. Mongols did not stop because when you are a megalomaniac and your followers support you and you rule with violence and attrocity, there is no such thing as anyone getting a pass or ignored. Especially a land as wealthy as Japan.
If IS were to hypothetically take control and expand into the orginal oppressive caliphate of old, they will keep attacking and invading every nation until they have enslaved every woman, exterminated every man who wont be like them and pillage nations for wealth. Japan, America, Most of Europe, Much of China and India, Austrailia, and many other nations have exactly what IS wants. People to torture, women to enslave, people to oppress and most of all wealth to steal.
IS will come for japan as the article suggests but above all their number one goal is death to all not like them, and they will include japan in that list, as they will include everyone else.
Pandabelle
WilliB
Good luck with them trying to keep that. Go ask the Americans how easy that is to do.
And I need to ask - So what? So? What? Is it the responsibility of the West to wage war against every little group who conquers territory around the world now? Should we get all hysterical and start beating the war drums over Chad, or Nigeria, or Central African Republic?
This is just media induced fearmongering, and the neocons are lapping it up, same as always.
WilliB
Pandabelle:
Good luck with them trying to keep that. Go ask the Americans how easy that is to do. "
The Americans were an outside power, hated by everyone, were trying to impose "democracy", and wanted to stay as briefly as possible... as everybody knew. ISIS are Sunni like the vast majority of the population, are imposing Shariah law, and are not going anywhere.
You see the difference?
I agree with that. We shouldn´t. On the other hand, should we be completely unconcerned while this group commits genocide against Yazidi, Christian, and Druze men and takes their women as sex slaves, following mediaeval practise? We should all be completely ambivalent about that?
Probie
I don't think any country can handle and deal properly with radical Islam. Not even other Islamic countries can. Japan would have even less of a clue than countries with large Muslim populations. The only thing I could think of that would be of an advantage to them, would be that if anyone who wanted to do anything like terrorism here, and they were middle-eastern, they would stick out like a sore thumb. They would recruit some Japanese losers who fall in love with the "romance" of being an "Islamic warrior", but even still. Radicals who can blend into the local non-radical Muslims are dangerous. I just don't think there are any here. Or if there are, not in numbers that are dangerous. It might only take one nut with a purpose and a bomb, but that nut has to get help from somewhere. Most Muslims are peaceful, so I doubt any radicals would find help easily, especially here.
Japan is a very easy target though. I just hope ISIS or whoever don't realize that.
Pandabelle
WilliB
That remains to be seen. Right now they're just a relatively small bunch of rebels who have held some territory for a short period of time. There's been thousands of such groups throughout history.
Of course we shouldn't be ambivalent about it. But nobody cared much about this conflict until they beheaded a few westerners and threw the videos on social media. Same as many, many other situations around the globe in the past 20 years. Go talk to the people in CAR, Darfur, or the Royhingas about that. Don't see that in the news much these days, don't see politicians in London and Washington speechifying over the crimes committed against those people.
WilliB
Pandabelle:
They are not "rebels" without context. They supported by the Sunni population who resents being ruled by Shia (in Iraq) and by Alevites (in Syria). And they are supported (or least have been, until they got too strong for their own comfort) by the Sunni rulers in Saudi and Qatar. And don´t tell us this is something new; Assad Sr. and Jr. have been battling Sunni rebels for decades. Obama seems unaware of that. You too, perhaps?
Pandabelle
WilliB
You seem to be making a fundamental, mistaken assumption here: that the situation in Syria and Iraq has anything to do with Obama or the US. It doesn't, other than the US helped create the power vacuum in Iraq that allowed ISIS to grow and thrive.
The lesson is always the same, and Western politicians always forget this: stay out of conflicts in the Middle East. Stay out completely. The history of successful Western intervention in the Middle East is non-existent.
philsandoz
"international journalist Morley Robertson"
Morley Robertson is actually a Japan-based DJ who just happens to blog.
WilliB
Pandabelle:
That, by the way, was a completely misguided comparison. Yes there are riots involving Rohingas and Burmese natives, and reported violence on both sides.
But if the Burmese government actually gave the Rohingas the choice between converting to Buddhism and being beheaded (with the added option of selling the Rohing women as sex slaves), and acted on it, there would be an outcry like you can´t image, and rightly so.
Seriously, I am bafffled that you try to belittle large-scale genocide in this way?
frontandcentre
The Weekly Playboy article is baseless tabloid speculation, to which we predictably get comments from the hysterical "radical Islam is coming for YOU" crowd. There are billions of Muslims in the world, and the overwhelming majority of them are law-abiding people who wish to live in peace, so radical Islam is obviously not "the mainstream" - it's a noisy, but very marginal minority. It's annoying to see people who should know better peddling such nonsense.
Stop and think dispassionately about the facts on the ground: IS has cleverly taken advantage of a classic power vacuum in a large area of Northern Iraq and Syria, but its strength there has come from the weakness of others, and complicity from disaffected local tribes. But in the longer term, its policies are plainly stupid and self-defeating - its disgusting abuses against defenceless civilians have created a degree of universal revulsion which will eventually result in its destruction. IS has so far never faced a strong, disciplined modern army. In Kobane it's fighting a bunch of resolute but outgunned Kurds and it has taken 3 weeks to advance a few kilometres. If (and it's a big if) the Turks send their army over the border in sufficient strength, IS's attacking force will be wiped out in short order.
The same applies elsewhere - once the campaign against them is sufficiently well-equipped and trained, and their supply lines are cut off, they will be starved of support and resources and gradually ground into submission. It won't happen overnight, I agree, but given the unanimity of hostile states surrounding IS, it is very likely to happen in the end.
While sensible security precautions are always required, there's no specific threat to Japan and in the current circumstances it would be very difficult for IS to commit a major atrocity in a European or American city as well. The support it's attracting is from disaffected, deluded young idiots, not from trained agents. There are crazies across the internet threatening to commit every variety of nefarious act, but fortunately most of it is fantasy, and most of it gets quite rightly ignored. IS is simply the focus of our attention at the moment, but it's better not to take most of it too seriously. In fact it's better to laugh at their ludicrous threats, which I find almost Python-esque.
Everyone should calm down and keep a rational sense of perspective. Lose that, and you play into the hands of the bigots, wherever they may be.
WilliB
frontandcentre:
There is 1.6 billion, not "billions". And they don´t have a choice in the matter, since islamic law does not allow leaving the religion, so quoting a number of forced members is really hardly valid.
And yes, the abide the laws, however the law is the problem. In countries like the IS, radical Shariah law is implemented to the letter, and you better obey that; otherwise you find yourself quickly a head shorter.
So your point here is?
Swami Vas
The chances of ISIS hitting Japanese shores are remote though one cannot say with certainty the internal home grown terrorist groups if any in the making!
Pandabelle
WilliB
What nonsense. You seem to think that all Muslims and all Muslim groups are one and the same. What a weirdly distorted world view.
People always have a choice. Plenty of ex-Muslims out there just like ex-Christians or ex-Jews.
StormR
Just read this on another website
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11338109
Some losers here looking to go
WilliB
Pandabelle:
I absolutely do not think that all muslims and all muslim groups are one and the same, and I never said anyhing to that effect. But in a roundabout way, you did answer my question. Apparently you really are unaware that the US (together with Saudi Arabia and Quatar) have been aiding the Sunni rebels in Syria for several years now. And before that, the Sunni rebels in Libya, wich created another terrorist haven for them. And so you are unaware that Obamas pro Sunni islamist and anti Assad policies have absolutely contributed to the success of ISIS:
I can only recommend to read up on the situatiion, and in particular about the enmity between Shia and Sunni, and about the history of the Muslim Brotherhoo (the Ikhwan).
CraigHicks
Since the time long before Obama there has been an opinion in the US that Hezbollah was supported by Iran and Syria, and since Hezbollah threatened Israel and non-Hezbollah entities in Lebanon, Syria was in conflict with US interests in the region, even as Syria cracked down on Al-Queda in Syria. Not to mention, Syria is a Russian client state. While this understanding was non-partisan, it was surely republican hawks who felt most strongly about it and kept it in the media headlines. Once Syria began to unravel, it was republican hawks as much, if not more so than anybody else, who wanted to take the opportunity to end the Syrian regime and weaken Hezbollah.
Obama was surely left his mark in deciding to keep US troops out of Syria, but as to what if any anti-Assad groups got US assistance, he wouldn't really have any other options than to follow along with what US intelligence analysts in the CIA advised him to do - there is no other intelligence agency to rely on. The CIA is supposed to be non-partisan, and Obama being a conservative don't rock the boat kind of president operates accordingly.
Let me analyze your statement " Obamas pro Sunni islamist and anti Assad policies have absolutely contributed to the success of ISIS" . The second part "pro Sunni islamist and anti Assad policies have absolutely contributed to the success of ISIS" has much truth in it and that kind of mistake (e.g. supporting Osama bin Laden against the Soviets in Afg.) is hardly new. The prefix "Obama's" is however just mindless and gratuitous politicking.
gokai_wo_maneku
It's called ISIJ.
neuronstar
The problem is every country wants cheap labour. Pay the consequences.