Thoughts on Japan's Abe Remarks for more action

2014-05-15T16:30:47-04:00

What do you think about today's notice Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe set out his case for beefing up pacifist Japan’s rules of engagement, saying he wants the armed forces to be able to enter battle in defense of allies.

Citing a rising climate of disquiet in north and southeast Asia, Abe said Japan needs to cast off constitutional strictures that have prevented its so-called Self Defense Forces from firing a shot in combat since 1945.

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140515/DEFREG03/305150038/Abe-Pushes-More-Active-Japanese-Military

Abe Pushes for More Active Japanese Military

Nationalist prime minister Shinzo Abe set out his case Thursday for beefing up pacifist Japan's rules of engagement, saying he wants the armed forces to be able to enter battle in defense of allies.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2014 5:15 PM

2014-05-15T17:15:04-04:00

Being stationed in Japan, I think it would be good for them to work more with their allies. They have a very professional military from what I have seen, and I think they would be a great asset to us.

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made May 15 at 2014 5:21 PM

2014-05-15T17:21:07-04:00

I think it is time for Japan to be able to help out in the area. Currently they can only defend themselves in an attack. Being able to project further could assits in sabilization of the area and make China, NK, and even Russia think before unilaterally acting.

Response by TSgt Scott Hurley made May 15 at 2014 10:28 PM

2014-05-15T22:28:43-04:00

Its a good idea. Especially with China and NK's saber rattling. We would be hard pressed trying engage them, if one of the other allies over there were to come under attack and Japan can not do anything about it.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made May 16 at 2014 8:25 AM

2014-05-16T08:25:44-04:00

Most of our "allies" need to take more of their own defense on rather than us continuously bear the brunt of it....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2014 10:10 AM

2014-05-16T10:10:02-04:00

Living in Japan I have learned to like PM Abe. He has done quite a lot for his country.

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made May 16 at 2014 10:36 AM

2014-05-16T10:36:31-04:00

Hey, we supported Germany in the reinvention of their military and they turned out to be strong allies as the years progressed. I think we should support PM Abe in his efforts. It would be nice to have an ally in that part of the Pacific other than S. Korea, who has it's own issues to worry about. I don't think that Japan is going to run out and forcefully take the Kuril Islands from Russia as an expeditionary force, or go to war with China over the Senkaku Islands. They just want to be able to defend their interests proactively. In addition, they would be able to come to the defense of the US and our allies in the region without first being fired upon.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2014 11:02 AM

2014-05-16T11:02:07-04:00

Sir,
After living and working for almost 2 years adjacent to the JMSDF Kure Naval District HQ just outside of Hiroshima, I have a very positive opinion of the Japanese military and I welcome the PM's new interpretation of Article 9. Japan will still remain a very pacifist society with a non-interventionist government I believe, but I would always be hesitant to rely so heavily on others to provide for the defense of my own nation. I do believe Japan will remain a strong ally and key partner with a significant role to play in the Pacific Pivot. I think the ability for Japan to come to the defense of it's allies would offer a good counterweight to China's military expansion during a time of shrinking US Military budgets and personnel.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made May 16 at 2014 11:47 AM

2014-05-16T11:47:40-04:00

BLUF: The US should support PM Abe's initiative. A stronger, more capable Japan does not weaken the US but rather enhances our strategic objectives. I would take it further by making the following points:
1. The US has been subsidizing the defense of Europe for years via unequal contributions to European defense. European nations should be contributing as much as the US (in terms of GDP) or the US should reduce our contribution.
2. The Pacific lacks a collective strategic defense framework that Europe has had since about 1947 (NATO). This gap should be addressed to reinforce our bilateral efforts in the region.
3. The US and our allies were successful against the Soviet Union and its allies during the Cold War because we applied all elements of the DIME (Diplomatic, Informational, Military, Economic). This comprehensive approach has been sadly lacking during the GWOT/OCO as well as lacking in our efforts in the Pacific Region.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2014 12:05 PM

2014-05-16T12:05:51-04:00

Nations may feel a sense of honor in their ability to support their allies in battle. Without that it may actually create a national identity associated with a lack of honor. WWII has been over for a good while.

My concern is that Japan sees the need to be able to fire a shot, meaning the world political climate is such that Japan feels it may actually have to defend itself or allies.

Response by SSG Daniel Rosploch made May 16 at 2014 3:26 PM

2014-05-16T15:26:08-04:00

I see no need to limit their ability to go to war. World War 2 was devastating, however, a majority of the participants and ideologies are long gone and just like Germany, Japan no longer poses a serious threat to their surrounding neighbors or to the world. I say let them fight along side their allies. It never hurts to have my guns on the line.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2014 4:34 PM

2014-05-16T16:34:05-04:00

With the heightening tensions in South-East Asia and Russia's relationship with China and NK, who can blame them for wanting to take the necessary precautions of wanting to defend themselves.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 16 at 2014 4:46 PM

2014-05-16T16:46:54-04:00

I do however have a comment. Gee, go figure, right. If Japan is wanting to push for a build up of their military then they will be able to defend themselves, and thusly they will have no need for our servicemen to have boots on the ground in their country. In the end it all comes down to being able to stand on their own two feet, as Germany has done, as Italy is doing, and so many other nations who were involved in WWII.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made May 16 at 2014 5:06 PM

2014-05-16T17:06:29-04:00

I think Abe is correct. I think Japan should have considered this view long before now. With so much uncertainty in the world, and North Korea within firing distance, it is good to be able to defend ones self. Perhaps they could amend their constitution to allow their own forces to at least defend themselves, but prevent them from becoming an aggressor.

Response by SGT James Elphick made May 16 at 2014 5:16 PM

2014-05-16T17:16:21-04:00

Whether they do it now or wait for hostilities to break out it is going to happen. However, a move like this could increase the chances of said hostilities as China and North Korea will likely see it as a provocation which could exacerbate the exact conditions they are attempting to respond to. Kind of a Catch 22.

Response by SCPO Victor Glaviano made Apr 11 at 2022 12:33 AM

2022-04-11T00:33:34-04:00

Good, long time coming!