politics

LDP panel calls for capability to strike enemy bases

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LDP panel calls for capability to open can of worms.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

The games that NK keeps on playing is playing right into Abe's hands. Abe will play up the security threat to the country, and then force through the necessary changes to the constitution.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

For me it appears North Korea is not taking Japan as their first enemy. They do not blackmail Japan often. While attitude of South Korea is far more hostile to Japan. They incessantly annoys us.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

It's one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't type situations!

On the one hand there is the risk of being attacked and that having no defence against it would constitute stupidity and negligence on the part of the government of the day? In this scenario the public and the press would massively criticise and call foul and demand to know why more was not done to protect the country and its citizens!

On the other hand the idea of deploying such weapons in preparation for the possibility of an attack draws criticism as scare and war mongering. In this scenario the press and people demand to know why the government is taking huge risks in provoking the DPRK and China and seemingly ignoring the constitution at the same time!

It is the right of any nation to defend its self against attack, true, but it also has obligations to ensure that such protections do not deliberalty provoke other nations into assuming that's what it wants in the first place? I'm not sure there is an easy way out of this and it would be a brave move by the government to agree to such proposals! Needless to say what ever choice they make will be deemed to be the wrong one! Good luck Abe!

6 ( +8 / -2 )

I called this two weeks ago!! Seriously the way the script writes itself is nothing short of hilarious albeit scary. Now marvel as the deflection from the school scandal grows over time until the nation ends up 'begging' dear leader to reign supreme perpetually!!

The games that NK keeps on playing is playing right into Abe's hands.

Eerily so. Impeccable timing as well too.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

No, no, no!

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

I do see Japan installing more anti missile systems and perhaps even the THAAD system and its upgrades in the near future. If you think about it, it was much more controversial for Korea to install US missiles than it would be for Japan. But I don't see the need for an offensive system in ideology, but realistically offense is part of defense and not being able to strike ur enemy can also mean you can't defend yourself.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

LDP = Love Dead People

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

to me this is a very sensible approach as long its for keeping things equal instead of starting hostilities any where again as soon as little fat boy puts up a missile blast it out of the sky then berry him with everything both Japan and the world can give

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I agree. Some people say that Japan should only defend itself. But, in all reality, if Japan were to be attacked it's not going to work out like "Rurouni Kenshin".

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Well done Japan, be prepared to be thrown under the bus by Washington, in a proxy war :(

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Defense is just overwhelming offense.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Japan already has an adequate retaliatory arsenal in place. Creating more would only increase targets for the aggressors. I also think China is all 'huff and puff' and not a real military threat to Japan, unless Japan does something overly provocative like, install a missile base aimed at China. As for NK, if they were to strike at Japan, it would be a very short war. South Korea and the US would wipe them out in a few days. Japan doesn't really need to install a missile battery to combat the two countries they are claiming as threats.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

YubaruMar. 30, 2017 - 07:15AM JST The games that NK keeps on playing is playing right into Abe's hands. Abe will play up the security threat to the country, >and then force through the necessary changes to the constitution.

If you don't like it do something about North Korea, No need to "play up" anything, North Korea's actions are a security threat recognized by everybody.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Disillusioned

To my knowledge Japan does not have any land attack missiles on JMSDF ships. The ones that could attack land targets would be JDAM bombs dropped from F-2 fighters. You would need to gain air superiority before launching attack not fit as first responders.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The war rhetoric is on the up and up and (unsurprisingly) one day, in the not so distant future Japan will be embroiled in a conflict which is one reason that I do NOT invest here....

1 ( +3 / -2 )

No surprise there. Just another small step toward a "normal" nation, thanks to China and N Korea.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The games that NK keeps on playing is playing right into Abe's hands. Abe will play up the security threat to the country,

Which would then play right into China's hands, then the US, then the game goes full circle. Oh, add Russia in their too maybe. I heard they don't like the THAAD thing either.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

kurisupisuMar. 30, 2017 - 10:00AM JST The war rhetoric is on the up and up and (unsurprisingly) one day, in the not so distant future Japan will be embroiled in a >conflict which is one reason that I do NOT invest here

Some people feel otherwise.

"Tillerson is invested in more businesses in Japan than any other country outside of the United States."

https://www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2017/01/12/here-are-the-15-countries-where-rex-tillerson-is-personally-invested/#1c6a249a34c9

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

I think it's reasonable to consider a first strike capability on an imminent threat as part of the national defense strategy, particularly when it comes to North Korea due to its proximity, growing offensive capabilities, and pure unpredictability. When it comes to defense, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Anyone can criticize a defense policy, but in the end it can be considered a complete success if the country hasn't been attacked

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The US almost went berserk under a similar situation known as the Cuba Crisis in the 60's.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Find out which slimy politicians directly or indirectly own shares in domestic defense contractors. Then you'll understand why they want to spend big on defense. Just like the corrupt US Military-industrial complex. Spread fear among the masses 'imminent threat' to justify and get away with increased defense spending. The fabricated threats only exists in the media that the same politicians basically control.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

@Tryring - To my knowledge Japan does not have any land attack missiles on JMSDF ships. The ones that could attack land targets would be JDAM bombs dropped from F-2 fighters. You would need to gain air superiority before launching attack not fit as first responders.

You missed the point. Japan does not need a land based missile defense. The Japanese and US navies have all the capabilities needed to swiftly retaliate to any strike from NK.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

this is good. japan has a pretty good defense system thanks to the US forces here, but it also needs the capability to strike and destroy enemy targets at will. north korea might not be so smug if its neighbors across the sea could flatten it within minutes.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I thought defense of this sort is what we are paying the US military a lot of money to do.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Abe's constant attempts to change the Constitution and build an army have failed time and again, so now he's just not-so-cleverly changing the wording to accomplish the same thing: use the recent NK launches to once again talk about a need to 'defend' itself. And once people agree that Japan needs to defend itself, Abe will claim it is tacit approval and a mandate to change the Constitution and build his army, returning to the "beautiful Japan" that was the pre-war empire. You can change the name, but he still wants to do exactly the same thing as always.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Any first strike strategy could not be unilaterally implemented by the Government of Japan. A top quality surveillance and first hand up to the minute intelligence capability would be an essential requirement .

All taking take years of development to implement along with a huge budget investment commitment. The first port of call would be to run this past United States Secretary of Defense James Mattis. Only the pooled resources of a coalition with the necessary military capability would be capable of launching such an attack.

After all the Government of China is going to notice a cruise missile firework display taking place close to its back garden. I read somewhere this proposal came from Former Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto,76.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Does "enemy bases" include LDP headquarters? Because they're always torpedoing Japan's reputation.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I want to see more public shelters in Japan.

http://www.kokuminhogo.go.jp/en/about/law.html

The Civil Protection Law is formally called “the Law concerning the Measures for Protection of the People in Armed Attack Situations etc.”

If an armed attack is imminent, the government issues an "evacuation order" to the people in the area where the attack is likely to hit. But since Japan has built no public shelter so far, people have no where to go.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Common it's time for Japan to grow up and have a few powerful guns, not only to protect itself, but also Taiwan, and if needs be, South Korea too. Trump is simply not reliable. Japan should sell diesel subs and attack planes to Taiwan too.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

re: Japan has maintained a strictly defence-only policy. Its pacifist constitution, imposed by occupying U.S. forces after World War II, bans the use of force except in the strictest meaning of self-protection.

Fire at will, fire at will. If Japan feels it is imminent that self protection quantifies first strike, then fire way fire away... Do not wait for the US to attack or assist. Unlike the Obama administration that was worthless to stop Chinese encursion and land grabbing, and as Duarte pointed out, where was the US before China even built the man made islands and why wasnt' there an armada warning them to stop...hmmm.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

North Korea is the obvious problem. China has been said to be very unhappy with North Korea, but does not want 20 million Koreans trying to escape into its country, and does not want American troops in North Korea. Perhaps China would give permission for Japan and South Korea to defeat the North Korean armed forces, if America promised to withdraw from the Korean peninsula? With no threat from North Korea, there would be no reason for American troops to stay stationed in the South.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Triling: Are you sure Japan does not have any defense capable weapons?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What enemies? Nobody even knows Japan exist.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I thought striking enemy's bases is a standard thing in any military.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This is an excuse for militarization. The LDP is more dangerous than North Korea.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Asian countries are so stupid fighting amongst themselves same as the Islamic countries! They fail to realize that together as one they can achieve so much success and make the life of the common citizens in their countries good. Yet, stupid politicians and the people who support these politicians tend to favor war and in the process innocent life's will be lost...

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I don't see any reason not to introduce THAAD and Aegis missile defence systems, since North Korea is a credible threat, but beyond that there's no need to strike back. If Japan's self-defence capabilities are sufficient enough, any attack by North Korea would ultimately be thwarted. America would take action and put pressure on China to do the same, since China so far have been turning a blind eye. It is only China that would oppose Japan boosting its defence capabilities, as it has done for several years now. China really doesn't like the fact that Japan is becoming increasingly better defended.

So, THAAD and Aegis I can agree with, striking bases is a no-no. That's just opening a can of worms and will only cause more problems than it will solve. The best offence is a good defence, at least when dealing with North Korea. They really don't have the ability to maintain a drawn out assault on Japan. America would get in the way big time.

@MikeH it's not just Asian countries or Islamic countries. Humans have been fighting amongst themselves for thousands of years. We can't live together peacefully because we're always fighting over our differences. It's Human nature. Haven't you noticed that the people who say we should live together in peace - people like Martin Luther King - how they always seem to wind up getting killed? I think that's a good sign of our willingness to live harmoniously.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@Fox Sora Wnters So by your explanation it's justifiable to fight and kill others because of our differences as humans... what a load of crap! I believe in the saying " live and let leave " ... Furthermore, you mentioned that it's not only Asian and Islamic countries that fight but I beg to differ! These fights and arguments ( provocations ) seem to be extremely high in Asia and Islamic countries than in other areas of the world for instance Oceania region or certain parts of Europe. Of course there is tension in these regions but not as bad as in Asia and Islamic countries. That was my point but I guess we travel on different wavelengths! Bottom line is if Japan is arming itself then there a war will break out in Asia sooner rather than later. People who support this will regret when they lose their loved ones due to this looming war!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Disillusioned

Japan already has an adequate retaliatory arsenal in place.

Such as what? Nothing they have has the range to reach North Korea or China. And China is the greater danger (and growing ever greater, too).

The Japanese and US navies have all the capabilities needed to swiftly retaliate to any strike from NK.

What? You think Trump is going to give a damn if another country is attacked? He'll blame Japan for being attacked because they didn't listen to him and build their own nuclear missiles.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Japan already has an adequate retaliatory arsenal in place. Creating more would only increase targets for the aggressors. I also think China is all 'huff and puff' and not a real military threat to Japan, unless Japan does something overly provocative like, install a missile base aimed at China. As for NK, if they were to strike at Japan, it would be a very short war. South Korea and the US would wipe them out in a few days. Japan doesn't really need to install a missile battery to combat the two countries they are claiming as threats."

I agree with the above.

It would be foolish to think the US hasn't stationed a 'Virginia' and one or 2 of her escorting 'Sea Wolves' off the coast of NK. I do believe even a 'Soru' class can launch a cruise missile horizontally.

However, I do caution you. Don't believe the assumption that the target of a NK attack is an American base. The real target is Fukushima. Just one strike there would be catastrophic. Get another THADD or 2 just so you sleep better at night.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@MikeH nowhere in my comment did I say it was justifiable. I don't believe that at all. I'm saying that it's human nature for us to kill each other because of our differences and that's not going to change. The people who try to urge us to change our barbaric nature are the ones who tend to be killed off first. There is just as much tension elsewhere in the world, it's just that the tension amongst Asian countries or Islamic countries gets more media attention. The Islamic tensions attract media attention because people like Trump say that's where every terrorist in the world comes from, so the media has eyes on that. With the Asian tensions, it's because two of the world's 3 biggest economies are located there, so the media can't ignore that. There's just as much tension is Europe or US or other countries, it just gets less media attention.

As for Japan arming itself, you're making it sound more aggressive than it is. Japan will never establish a military. It can't afford to. Not only would it's own people oppose that vehemently, but other countries around the world would as well. Japan would end up under economic sanctions and massive political pressure that would end up crippling the country financially. No-one in the Japanese government would be stupid enough to do something so self-harmful. All I'm suggesting is better defences, that's all. Even then, Japan isn't likely to go too far along with that. Not everyone in Japan is happy with relying on America for support and defence, so you can expect THAAD and Aegis to be protested against.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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