The current state of the national security debate in Japan:
Government: Japan must be a part of the War on Terror! We must extend our refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. Remember ‘911?Opposition: No! We are American lapdogs! The mission is a violation of the pacifist constitution. Troops home now (erm… after Nov 1)!
Gov: No! Let’s compromise, we can stop the refueling ops and just “police” the Indian Ocean. Remember ‘91?
Opp: No! You are old and factional! Pacifist constitution!
Gov: What do you propose?
Opp: Let’s go to Darfur, or Afghanistan!
Gov: That may be difficult. There is the constitution…
ADDENDUM—LDP heavy: Terrorists!
Confused yet?
1 Japan faced heavy international criticism for not committing personnel to the first Gulf War. Instead Japan contributed $13b, and was accused of “checkbook diplomacy.” This was a big impedetus for the adoption of the Kaifu Bill, which allowed Japan to deploy troops overseas for UN missions.
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COMMENTS / 3 COMMENTS
ComingAnarchy.com » Blog Archive » Canada stirring it up in Japan added these pithy words on Oct 25 07 at 3:13 am[...] that confusing security debate happening in [...]
Curzon added these pithy words on 14 Oct 07 at 3:38 pm...and Okada, former head of the DJP opposition in the summer of 2005, was proposing that Japan should help Sudan—with “technological assistance.”
Aceface added these pithy words on 15 Oct 07 at 9:00 amI think what Okada has in mind for the “technological assistance”is building yet another AEON supermarket franchaise.Kidding.
Ozawa had spoken today that sending JSDF for ISAF would only be limited to “non-military mission”.
Perhaps sending some choppers like CH-47JAs?That’s what Washington had wanted for Abe in Afghanistan and also UN is in urgent need for more chooppers in Darfur…You may also want check out the article on this week’s AERA magazine by Taoka Shunji????,he too is a skeptic on refueling mission in Indian ocean,but I thought it was pretty well written piece.
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