The Japanese repond (politically) to N. Korea
Just found this interesting in the dynamics of the N. Korean situation and the overall politics of Asia.
With US urging, the Japanese government (under Bush's friend Koizumi) has been pushing quite hard against the military limitations outlined in their constitution. Sending troops to Iraq was a big step in this direction.
Later: After thinking about this a little bit, I think this may be an effort at indirect pressure on the Chinese. The regional balance of the China/Japan relationship is critical to China, and a threat by Japan to militarize shifts Chinese interests.
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said Tokyo had the right to carry out a preemptive attack in the face of a serious threat despite its pacifist post-World War II constitution.
"It is impossible for us to do nothing until we are attacked by a country which says it has nuclear weapons and could fire missiles against Japan," Aso, an outspoken hawk, told NHK public television.
With US urging, the Japanese government (under Bush's friend Koizumi) has been pushing quite hard against the military limitations outlined in their constitution. Sending troops to Iraq was a big step in this direction.
Later: After thinking about this a little bit, I think this may be an effort at indirect pressure on the Chinese. The regional balance of the China/Japan relationship is critical to China, and a threat by Japan to militarize shifts Chinese interests.
posted by mikevotes at
7:26 AM
4 Comments:
Another can of worms opened up by the policies of the Bush ADD-ministration, once we claim the right to pre-emptive strikes, it allows other nations to claim the right as well.
By
Lew Scannon, at 10:18 AM
It's interesting, after catching a few bits from the morning shows, I think that this may be connected to the US diplomatic efforts to sway China.
The balance of the Chinese/Japanese relationship is critical to the Chinese, and the last thing they want is for the Japanese to begin to militarize, so I'm thinking that this may be indirect pressure on the Chinese to alter the N. Korea situation.
Don't know, just kind of a working theory at this point.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 12:45 PM
Bush/Cheney - Dismantling Constitutions Worldwide since 2001!!
I like your theory, Mike, and I also agree with Lew. The "pre-emptive strike" part reminded me so much of Iraq :)
By
Anonymous, at 1:13 PM
Oh yeah, except this time the target isn't helpless.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 1:36 PM
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