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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Japan mulling action over N.Korea missiles |
| 2006-07-10 |
| Japan said Monday it was considering whether a pre-emptive strike on the North's missile bases would violate its constitution, suggesting it could take stronger action against the reclusive regime if the U.N. Security Council rejects its resolution calling for sanctions. Japan was badly rattled by North Korea's missile tests last week and several government officials openly discussed whether the country ought to take steps to better defend itself, including setting up the legal framework to allow Tokyo to launch a pre-emptive strike against Northern missile sites. "If we accept that there is no other option to prevent an attack ... there is the view that attacking the launch base of the guided missiles is within the constitutional right of self-defense. We need to deepen discussion," Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said. Abe is the odd on favorite to be thenext Prime Minister. Despite resistance from China and Russia, Japan has pushed for a U.N. Security Council resolution that would prohibit nations from procuring missiles or missile-related "items, materials goods and technology" from North Korea. A vote was possible in New York later Monday. "It's important for the international community to express a strong will in response to the North Korean missile launches," Abe said. "This resolution is an effective way of expressing that." China and Russia, both nations with veto power on the council, have voiced opposition to the measure. Kyodo News agency reported Monday, citing unnamed Chinese diplomatic sources, that China may use its veto on the Security Council to block the resolution. The United States, Britain and France have expressed support for the proposal, while Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso has said there is a possibility that Russia will abstain. South Korea, not a council member, has not publicly taken a position on the resolution, but on Sunday Seoul rebuked Japan for its outspoken criticism of the tests. "There is no reason to fuss over this from the break of dawn like Japan, but every reason to do the opposite," a statement from President Roh Moo-hyun's office said, suggesting that Tokyo was contributing to tensions on the Korean Peninsula. |
| Posted by:ed |
| #24 Japan is YEARS away from being a threat to China. Sure, China may have miscalculated with regard to Japan, but everything else is per their strategy, IMO. |
| Posted by: Wheang Spavirong9833 2006-07-10 23:59 |
| #23 And if China doesn't play ball? Then what? All of this is about somebody else resolving this growing threat. Hasn't that been the strategy for too long, already? Then what? I think China's playing out the triangulation hand they designed to the bloody end and fear nothing from the game. Right or wrong, Lord knows they are infinitely arrogant. So, anybody, then what? |
| Posted by: Wheang Spavirong9833 2006-07-10 23:38 |
| #22 Yeah OS, exactly. Of the lot, the Japanese will pull all stops out if pressed. Right now they are kind of like we were, sleeping giant. But if they get pushed it will be Asia rage mode again, only this time they have the US on their side. China better really, really, really think about this, given Asian history. Of course, that is exactly what they are thinking - revenge. Only, they have this wrong again, the Japanese can and will rage again if they are pushed. Bad move China. |
| Posted by: bombay 2006-07-10 23:28 |
| #21 Like I said Yesterday - only CHina can force the Kim regime to fall in a predictable direction. And time is runningout. All the other alternatives produce a remilitarized and nuclear armed Japan, as well as either a belligerent united nuclear Korea, or else one at war (possibly after a nuclear exchange) with Nork refugees streaming over the border into China and massive economic disruption in the region. China had better wake the hell up. This isnt our problem nearly as much as it is theirs. |
| Posted by: Oldspook 2006-07-10 22:33 |
| #20 Moshe Dyan: Torah! Torah! Torah! Gawd: Dammit Moshe, I sed promised land not promised continent! Ha! See I can be sensitive to the plight of opressed peoples. |
| Posted by: 6 2006-07-10 17:25 |
| #19 Rather than clog this comment section, I'm going to post on the o-club with My experience. |
| Posted by: Jackal 2006-07-10 16:50 |
| #18 #10 "Tora! Tora! Tora!" Posted by WhiteCollarRedneck Oh darn!, WCR, you stole my very thought! |
| Posted by: Lancasters Over Dresden 2006-07-10 16:32 |
| #17 Japan should announce tomorrow morning that it will expand its nuclear elecric generating capacity by 200%, and will also begin reprocessing nuclear fuel to build nuclear warheads for its "Kaga" class long-range missiles, which are to be housed in silos in the mountainous parts of Japan. They should also announce the purchase of two US aircraft carriers that would have been scrapped, plus a couple of hundred F/A-18s, plus some support aircraft to form a main battle group. They should also announce major changes to their Constitution that allows their "self-defense force" to engage in offensive operations in defense of the Japanese homelands, and hand the Russians a trillion-dollar bill for the Kurile Islands. THAT would set the cat among the pigeons for sure! Won't happen, but I can dream... |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2006-07-10 16:08 |
| #16 Say Cheese, Kimmi! |
| Posted by: Anon4021 2006-07-10 14:37 |
| #15 As I said in another thread, the likely end result of SK, China, and Russia running interference for NK will be a rearmed Japan with a full kit of theatre-defense ABMs and possibly even some offensive nukes. Talk about your unintended consequences! |
| Posted by: Mike 2006-07-10 14:37 |
| #14 South Korea and North Korea are on the same side here. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-07-10 13:08 |
| #13 oops make that North Korea |
| Posted by: djohn66 2006-07-10 13:06 |
| #12 SK don't want no Japanese sneak attacks, they are very good at them. |
| Posted by: djohn66 2006-07-10 13:05 |
| #11 The Japanese are going to need our help with electronics? Only once. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-07-10 12:48 |
| #10 "Tora! Tora! Tora!" |
| Posted by: WhiteCollarRedneck 2006-07-10 12:18 |
| #9 ...The naysayers are already barking that the JASDF 'is incapable' of pulling off such a strike. The hell they are; they've got F-15J/DJs that are more than capable, even their remaining F-4s are up to date enough to give it a try. The real problem would be electronic warfare and air defense suppression. For that, they might very well need to bring in the USAF or USN to provide such a capability - but frankly, I think just the simple fact that senior Japanese politicians are speaking publicly about attacking North Korea should be scaring the hell out of the PRC right now. Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2006-07-10 12:17 |
| #8 I say they do it, along with thumbs up from the US, Australia and the UK. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2006-07-10 11:01 |
| #7 Yay Jackal. It purely is a delight to see you posting here again. Welcome home! |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2006-07-10 10:41 |
| #6 With the UNSC unable to even create a Strongly Worded Statement™ condemning the Nork 4th of July (US time zone) fireworks due to the objections of the Chicoms and Russia, Japan is not going to sit idly by and wait for a possible missile coming at them. If countries like Japan, the US, Australia, and others make it clear that this crap pulled by the Chicoms little mad dog Kimmie will not be allowed any more, followed by action, then this stuff will stop. Right. Now. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2006-07-10 10:39 |
| #5 Hiya Jackal! |
| Posted by: 6 2006-07-10 10:36 |
| #4 That must be tightening various body parts. Japan used to be well-known for "preemptive" actions. |
| Posted by: Jackal 2006-07-10 10:08 |
| #3 Ah, the Japanese. Smile politely and cut your head off. |
| Posted by: mojo 2006-07-10 10:02 |
| #2 Send in the Kamikazees! |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2006-07-10 09:50 |
| #1 This'll stir things up considerably. |
| Posted by: 6 2006-07-10 07:50 |
