Japan to loosen restrictions on military.

[Norstal]

Still edgy over not making yourself clear, are we?

Seems like you're edgy too considering you keep accusing me to be edgy.

[Vazdania]

Japan's Cabinet Eases Post-WWII Limits on Military

Since Japan's defeat in World War II, its military has been shackled by restrictions imposed by a victorious U.S. and that, over time, a majority of Japanese adopted as their own. Now, the shackles are being loosened.

Japan's Cabinet on Tuesday approved a reinterpretation of the country's pacifist postwar constitution that will allow the military to help defend allies and others "in a close relationship" with Japan under what is known as "collective self-defense."

Previous governments have said the war-renouncing Article 9 of the constitution limited the use of force to defending Japan.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the shift is needed to protect the lives of the Japanese people in an increasingly severe security environment. Japanese warships would be able to help protect U.S. ships that were defending Japan, he said.

"Peace is not something you expect to be given, but it's something that we must achieve on our own," he said in a televised news conference.

The issue has divided Japan, where many worry about China's growing military assertiveness but also support the anti-war clause of the constitution and fret about a possible slide toward the militarism that led to World War II.

About 2,000 people protested outside Abe's office, saying that any change to the constitution should be made through a public referendum, not simply a Cabinet reinterpretation.

"For 70 years, Japan has kept its peace with its constitution," said 67-year-old protester Toshio Ban. "What are we to do with that stupid man trying to trample over the precious constitution?"

The move drew sharp criticism from China, and a cautious reaction from South Korea, which was colonized by Japan from 1910 to 1945.

"Beijing opposes Japan's act of hyping the China threat," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily briefing. The new policy "raises doubts about Japan's approach to peaceful development."

South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Noh Kwang-il said: "The South Korean government views it as a significant revision to the defense and security policy under the postwar peace constitution, and is paying a sharp attention to it."

Written under U.S. direction after World War II, the 1947 constitution says the Japanese people "forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation." The article was crafted to prevent a repeat of Japan's invasion and brutal occupation of wide swaths of Asia.

America's position shifted quickly with the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War. The U.S. began to see Japan as an ally in the Cold War and pressed its former enemy to rearm. Today, with America's military financially stretched, the U.S. is backing whatever Japan can do to play a larger role in regional security.

The Japanese, though, particularly older generations, have witnessed Japan's success under the constitution, even if the postwar economic miracle has lost some luster in the last two decades.

"Most Japanese, over two-thirds, feel that this peace constitution is part of their identity," said Jeff Kingston, head of Asian Studies at Temple University Japan in Tokyo.

The Cabinet decision is hardly the first loosening of the shackles. The constitutional ban has been relaxed several times over the years, starting with the introduction of a "police" force during the Korean War, which became a military dubbed the Self-Defense Force in 1954.

A major turning point came after the 1991 Gulf War, when a wealthy Japan was criticized for contributing money but not "boots on the ground." After hostilities ended, Japan sent mine sweepers to the Gulf as part of U.N. mission, triggering massive protests at home.

A special law passed in 1992 allowed the military to participate in U.N. election monitoring in Cambodia, the first overseas deployment of troops since World War II.

Japan enacted a set of laws in 2003 to enable troops to join the U.N. Iraq reconstruction mission. But Japanese soldiers were only allowed to fire in self-defense, and had to be escorted by Dutch, British and Australian troops, something Japanese conservatives saw as an embarrassment.

The government has no immediate plans to change the constitution, which has never been amended. But Abe and subsequent governments will now be empowered to authorize greater military engagement under the new interpretation of the charter.

Opponents worry the new policy could be a step toward eventual participation in joint military actions such as the war in Iraq.

Abe said his government stands by its current position of not sending troops to overseas battlefields. An agreement with junior coalition partner New Komeito includes restrictions on when Japan can exercise collective self-defense.

"Japan's status as a peaceful country will not change," Abe said.

Buddhist-backed New Komeito initially opposed the change, and Tuesday's Cabinet decision came after weeks of negotiations between the two parties.

Takeshi Iwaya, a lawmaker who chairs a ruling party research commission on security, said Japan has long said it won't repeat the mistakes of World War II, but that is no longer enough to preserve peace.

"Up to now, Japan has said it will never do anything wrong and merely wish for peace," he said in an interview. "What we are trying to do now is to play a more proactive role."

So the Japanese government has broadened their interpretation of the role of the military to include defense of allies in what they are calling 'Collective Self-Defense'. Frankly I approve of our friend and ally Japan becoming more proactive with their military.
More help the better as far as I'm concerned.
But what's your opinion General?

Good. GO JAPAN! [O_O]/

[The Remnants of Kobol]

What backlash? A harshly worded letter from the UN, a collective frown from the international community, and the US being forced to publicly condemn their actions while handshaking a new trade deal in the back room?

China is nuclear nation. They have nothing to fear militarily because no other nuclear nation would dare to attack them for fear of escalation. It's the only reason that Russia didn't turn into a glass reflecting pool during the Cold War.

People all around the world organising a boycott of Chinese product to protest their illegal actions, decisive international action on behalf of those nations.

Then people around the world realize that without Chinese products, they pretty much have nothing.

You have no idea how much China actually makes do you... They produce so much more than just cheap nick nacks and plastic toys. They make a very significant portion of the US defense industry. Everything from parts that go in US firearms to guidance chips in missiles and fightercraft.

[Nationes Pii Redivivi]

What kind of image of China do you have? Because no one has used the whole Mandate of Heaven thing since 1911.

It's a reference to a Paradox game. And I do make jokes about the People's Republic of China because I think they're a joke. A horrible, morbid joke that shouldn't be laughed at or even exist in the first place, but a joke nonetheless.

I joke require some humour in it, or it has failed as a joke. The impression I got from your post was that you think that we, Chinese, still live some one thousand years ago wearing queues and kowtowing to each other begging for forgiveness for some transgression against politesse.

[Gigaverse]

Still edgy over not making yourself clear, are we?

Seems like you're edgy too considering you keep accusing me to be edgy.

Both of you, stop accusing each other.

[Gigaverse]

It's a reference to a Paradox game. And I do make jokes about the People's Republic of China because I think they're a joke. A horrible, morbid joke that shouldn't be laughed at or even exist in the first place, but a joke nonetheless.

I joke require some humour in it, or it has failed as a joke. The impression I got from your post was that you think that we, Chinese, still live some one thousand years ago wearing queues and kowtowing to each other begging for forgiveness for some transgression against politesse.

> Germans aren't particularly known for their sense of humour, though...

[Norstal]

People all around the world organising a boycott of Chinese product to protest their illegal actions, decisive international action on behalf of those nations.

Then people around the world realize that without Chinese products, they pretty much have nothing.

You have no idea how much China actually makes do you... They produce so much more than just cheap nick nacks and plastic toys. They make a very significant portion of the US defense industry. Everything from parts that go in US firearms to guidance chips in missiles and fightercraft.

Other nations can start picking up on what China is producing (and they're already doing that anyways). In particular, countries like Bangladesh, India, Vietnam. It might be slow and expensive, but it's not the end of the world.

[Oaledonia]

Remember that Japan still operates miniature drone kamikazes.

They run into ships, planes, anything.

[Mefpan]

It's a reference to a Paradox game. And I do make jokes about the People's Republic of China because I think they're a joke. A horrible, morbid joke that shouldn't be laughed at or even exist in the first place, but a joke nonetheless.

I joke require some humour in it, or it has failed as a joke. The impression I got from your post was that you think that we, Chinese, still live some one thousand years ago wearing queues and kowtowing to each other begging for forgiveness for some transgression against politesse.

Probably hampered by the fact that Paradox games aren't quite as well-known here as I thought they are, considering how people here frequently engage in border mutilation and "prettification" on here. If I've offended you, I'm sorry for that. I did not mean to offend people of Chinese descent...unless they're part of the mainland Chinese government, I suppose.

[Genivaria]

Military exercises with US, and South Korean forces in the region anyone?

[Arkinesia]

War bad. Peace good. Being more open to going to war is bad.

Japan is doing this in response to rapid expansionist behavior by the PRC. This is purely a self-defense maneuver. We're not about to see Japanese units called up for decade-long “nationbuilding” operations.

[Nationes Pii Redivivi]

War bad. Peace good. Being more open to going to war is bad.

Japan is doing this in response to rapid expansionist behavior by the PRC. This is purely a self-defense maneuver. We're not about to see Japanese units called up for decade-long “nationbuilding” operations.

Behavior like claiming that some small piece of rock in the middle of the ocean is theirs. That is extremely rapid. Pretty soon, they'll claim that pebble in the ocean two feet away from it.

[Vazdania]

War bad. Peace good. Being more open to going to war is bad.

Japan is doing this in response to rapid expansionist behavior by the PRC. This is purely a self-defense maneuver. We're not about to see Japanese units called up for decade-long “nationbuilding” operations.

Its also good that a stable country is expanding its military, they might in the future be useful for restraining unstable insurgencies.

[Threlizdun]

Military exercises with US, and South Korean forces in the region anyone?

No, and it is extremely unlikely the South Koreans would be interested in this. As stated in the OP, they are not so keen on this more aggressive stance taken by their former oppressors.

[Norstal]

Japan is doing this in response to rapid expansionist behavior by the PRC. This is purely a self-defense maneuver. We're not about to see Japanese units called up for decade-long “nationbuilding” operations.

Behavior like claiming that some small piece of rock in the middle of the ocean is theirs. That is extremely rapid. Pretty soon, they'll claim that pebble in the ocean two feet away from it.

Well, to be fair, China is also making claims against India and Vietnam. I think they are trying to make alliances with other countries in the region. It's the only sensible move after they make this reinterpretation. Otherwise, it'd be very stupid as this only allows them to be dragged into conflicts made by their allies.

[The Remnants of Kobol]

Then people around the world realize that without Chinese products, they pretty much have nothing.

You have no idea how much China actually makes do you... They produce so much more than just cheap nick nacks and plastic toys. They make a very significant portion of the US defense industry. Everything from parts that go in US firearms to guidance chips in missiles and fightercraft.

Other nations can start picking up on what China is producing (and they're already doing that anyways). In particular, countries like Bangladesh, India, Vietnam. It might be slow and expensive, but it's not the end of the world.

Those nations could pick up some of it. But they simply don't have the infrastructure to create a lot of the more technology based production. Beyond that, China is currently the only country refining Rare Earth metals. Without those, any sort of computer production ceases. I for one don't think the world could live for the next decade without any advances in computer technology while waiting for a new nation to set up mining and refining processes.

Whether anyone likes it or not, China has enough clout militarily and economically to get its way. They always have something else the world can't work without.

[Nationes Pii Redivivi]

Other nations can start picking up on what China is producing (and they're already doing that anyways). In particular, countries like Bangladesh, India, Vietnam. It might be slow and expensive, but it's not the end of the world.

Those nations could pick up some of it. But they simply don't have the infrastructure to create a lot of the more technology based production. Beyond that, China is currently the only country refining Rare Earth metals. Without those, any sort of computer production ceases. I for one don't think the world could live for the next decade without any advances in computer technology while waiting for a new nation to set up mining and refining processes.

Whether anyone likes it or not, China has enough clout militarily and economically to get its way. They always have something else the world can't work without.

We can simply do that here in the United States? I am certain that, even if we do not have the resources, we are technologically capable of doing it.

[California Prime]

I'm fine with it and it makes sense. For a long time it has been assumed that with any invasion attempts of South Korea or Taiwan, or any full scale engagement of the US Navy, Japan would end up in the firing line eventually, in in at least one case (North Korea) a country has implied that they would use Japan as a hostage (threatened mass missile attacks or nuclear strike) as insurance against anyone coming to the aid of South Korea. It's time that Japan becomes a player in the game again.

[Jetan]

It's a reference to a Paradox game. And I do make jokes about the People's Republic of China because I think they're a joke. A horrible, morbid joke that shouldn't be laughed at or even exist in the first place, but a joke nonetheless.

I joke require some humour in it, or it has failed as a joke. The impression I got from your post was that you think that we, Chinese, still live some one thousand years ago wearing queues and kowtowing to each other begging for forgiveness for some transgression against politesse.

Rather, the receiver needs a sense of humour aswell. The joke was good.

[The Remnants of Kobol]

Those nations could pick up some of it. But they simply don't have the infrastructure to create a lot of the more technology based production. Beyond that, China is currently the only country refining Rare Earth metals. Without those, any sort of computer production ceases. I for one don't think the world could live for the next decade without any advances in computer technology while waiting for a new nation to set up mining and refining processes.

Whether anyone likes it or not, China has enough clout militarily and economically to get its way. They always have something else the world can't work without.

We can simply do that here in the United States? I am certain that, even if we do not have the resources, we are technologically capable of doing it.

The US does have the resources. But it would likely take upwards of a decade to set up the necessary refineries and production plants. I never said it couldn't be done. I just don't think that the world would find it acceptable.

Would you be happy living until 2020 knowing that you could only use the computer you have, the cell phone you have, the music player you have, etc? And if it wore out or broke, you'd either have to pay some VERY serious money (price is an exponential curve as supply dwindles) to get a new one or simply wait it out without technology?

[Ifreann]

Unconstitutional and extremely unwise

Japan isn't rebuilding an empire as China wants you to believe, get over it.

Well what are they doing, then?

---

Remember that Japan still operates miniature drone kamikazes.

They run into ships, planes, anything.

Burst drones are real?

---

War bad. Peace good. Being more open to going to war is bad.

Japan is doing this in response to rapid expansionist behavior by the PRC. This is purely a self-defense maneuver. We're not about to see Japanese units called up for decade-long “nationbuilding” operations.

So is the implication here meant to be that if China invades someone in the region, Japan will jump into the fray to defend their neighbour?

---

Japan is doing this in response to rapid expansionist behavior by the PRC. This is purely a self-defense maneuver. We're not about to see Japanese units called up for decade-long “nationbuilding” operations.

Its also good that a stable country is expanding its military, they might in the future be useful for restraining unstable insurgencies.

Are they expanding their military? It looks more like they're expanding the circumstances in which they'll use their military.

[Norstal]

Japan is doing this in response to rapid expansionist behavior by the PRC. This is purely a self-defense maneuver. We're not about to see Japanese units called up for decade-long “nationbuilding” operations.

So is the implication here meant to be that if China invades someone in the region, Japan will jump into the fray to defend their neighbour?

If they are allied, with this reinterpretation, they must help their allies. So, yes, but only if they are allied.

[Democratic Sabha]

Kin Jong Un's reaction people?

"America once nuked them, why don't we do it too ?"

[Jetan]

Kin Jong Un's reaction people?

"America once nuked them, why don't we do it too ?"

That is obviously a lie, everyone knows only the glorious DPRK has nuclear weapons, built and designed By the beloved leader himself!

[Gristol-Serkonos]

Welp, I guess there is need to equalize Chinese influence in the region.