| Submit your comments on this article |
| Korea |
| Japan Report Warns of North Korea Threat |
| 2003-08-05 |
| Citing a threat by North Korea, a government report Tuesday urged improving the country’s missile systems and bolstering ties with the U.S. military. The study also suggested beefed up participation in U.N. peacekeeping missions, counter terrorism activities and the curbing of weapons of mass destruction. Terrorism dominated the Defense Agency’s annual report, which also urged the military to raise its international profile. The report also mumbled something about a "Co-Prosperity Sphere", whatever the heck that is. It cited North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs as one of Japan’s biggest security concerns, and recommended speeding up research on missile defense. Japan currently has 27 Patriot anti-missile batteries. But they can only down missiles with a shorter range and slower speed than the ballistic missiles North Korea is believed to be developing — including the Taepodong missile test-launched over Japan’s main island in 1998. Tokyo should continue relying on the 50,000 U.S. troops stationed here under a half-century-old bilateral security pact, Tuesday’s report said. Japan’s Defense Agency also raised concerns about China’s sharply expanding military budget. Japan’s overall defense budget remains among the world’s largest. In 2003, Japan expects to spend $41 billion on defense, down 0.1 percent from 2002 and less than 1 percent of its gross domestic product. "Let’s see, hummmm, Chinese budget bigger, Chinese acquiring more Russian weapons, North Koreans getting even goofier with bigger missiles — say, why don’t we cut our defense spending some more?" Critics say the government’s backing of a more active Japanese military signals a shift toward remilitarization and violates the country’s post-World War II pacifist constitution. Not for us to tell them, but the Japanese might want to consider an amendment to that constitution, just to see how quickly the Chinese would step on lil’ Kim. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #3 I'd be happy to keep some assets in Japan, particularly naval and air assets. The Japanese generally have been cooperative since WWII and have been especially helpful lately. All things considered, they're friends and likely to stay that way. The SKors, on the other hand, can learn to defend themselves. We can keep some air assets there to help out, but the 2ID should come home. Ditto in Europe. Keep air and naval assets where they are useful to us and our better friends, but put army/marine units only where they are really necessary (directly or as the most logical place to base them for other arenas). Getting more army units back to the US would make future deployments easier to handle--it would spread the load and the troops would know that when they're done, they're coming home. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2003-8-5 3:12:46 PM |
| #2 The report also mumbled something about a "Co-Prosperity Sphere", whatever the heck that is. (snicker) Big Trouble, is what that is. Time for the Norks to get real nervous. |
| Posted by: mojo 2003-8-5 10:11:40 AM |
| #1 Regards your closer, there are bound to be some good song lyrics about "memories" apropos here... 50,000 US troops. Sigh. This a prime example (recall Iceland, as a small example) of why the global rethink & redeployment of resources by Rummy & the Boyz makes irrefutable good sense - and is an example of intelligent resource management (when the political absurdities don't prevent it) - finally - "The Wall" fell a long long time ago. I'd like to locate a comprehensive list of the headcounts and locations of US troops, world-wide. I'm sure it's no wonder our all-volunteer forces are currently stretched. The Japanese are not poor and certainly as good as anyone and can handle the threats they perceive themselves. In fact, the NorKs and Chinese may "rue the day" they awoke the Japanese... |
| Posted by: ·com 2003-8-5 3:29:40 AM |