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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Japan Has the Right To a Preemptive Strike |
| 2006-07-13 |
| July 13, 2006: Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, in response to the latest ominous missile rattling coming from "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-il of North Korea, outraged pacifists world-wide in July by declaring that its pre-emptive strikes on Kim's missile bases would be an act of self-defense. Notice how the last part of that sentence is worded... While Abe appeared to be discussing such a pre-emption in theory rather than as a realistic response to the launch of ballistic missiles by North Korea into the Sea of Japan, his words were heard in every Asian nation. Abe's remarks were later diluted a bit after Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told the press that Japan would "have to think carefully about whether we can really resort to arms before we are attacked because this is also a constitutional issue." But Y'all should consider the warning given. On the 4th of July (not a coincidence), North Korea had another tantrum and fired seven ballistic missiles, including a Taepodong-2, a model may be able to reach Hawaii and even the west coast of the US. While the Taepodong appeared to have failed catastrophically less than a minute after launch, it did successfully deliver its message: Kim Jong-il is still mad as a hatter and may take as much of the world with him as he can when his dictatorship finally collapses. Japan has a stronger military than it advertises. In May, 2003, it quietly launched the first or a series of spy satellites into orbit, the better to keep tabs on potential threats like North Korea. Ignoring North Korean threats of "disastrous consequences," Japan successfully launched a rocket carrying two military spy satellites, giving the island nation its own space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability. Tokyo is also accelerating development of missile defenses, building its commando forces, and working on creating an in-flight refueling capability for its fleet of F-15 aircraft, which would give them the ability to strike North Korea on a large scale. There is even a suggestion from some in the Japanese government that the country should build nuclear weapons – a call that may be heard more loudly now that North Korea is threatening to launch its own nukes at neighboring nations. A second set of satellites was subsequently launched. The four orbit at an average altitude of 500 kilometers, allowing Japan to photograph any part of the world at least once a day. The satellites carry optical- and radar-imaging capabilities, and it would be surprising if they did not also possess at least some electronic-intelligence capabilities. The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force has approximately 45,800 sailors, 146 warships, 179 airplanes, and 135 helicopters. Its fleet is divided into four flotillas, each around a 7,200-ton Kongo-class guided missile destroyer with AEGIS-capable surface to air missiles. The Kongos carry the SPY-1D AEGIS radar. The four Escort Flotillas have 2-3 air warfare ships and 5-6 anti-submarine destroyers, plus ASW helicopters. The JMSDF also fields twenty-three other guided missile destroyers, a number of gun-only destroyers and escorts, and 17 modern diesel-electric subs, perfectly suited for warfare in the Sea of Japan. In possibly confronting North Korea, Japan's Air Self Defense Force has 46,000 airmen and force of over 330 combat aircraft, including F-15J/DJs, F-4E/EJs, F-2A/Bs, and F-1s. That Japan – a nation traditionally and strictly limited to a defensive military since 1945 -- has so publicly declared its intention to "get buffed" and not be cowed by a rogue state is an interesting turn of events in an age of asymmetric warfare. And take it from those who know... Japan can be very effective in preemption when it wants to be. They have probably learnt a few lessons in the past sixty years as well. Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Sample 4 Sample 5 Sample 6 Sample 7 Sample 8 Sample 9 Sample 10 Sample 11 |
| Posted by:DanNY |
| #12 "They could have one HELL of an army." Yeah, and that is exactly what worries me. A militarily resurgent Japan could be something we all regret someday. Especially if they acquire WMD's. -M |
| Posted by: Manolo 2006-07-13 20:49 |
| #11 Remember also that the USs "military industrial complex" has been turning out high-tech gear for over 50 years now. Some parts of the system are "tired", for want of a better word. However, Japan is still fresh as a daisy, and if it went on a serious military build-up, it would be a sight to behold. Think the Reagan build-up times 10. The stimulus to their economy returned to creating more weapons systems instead of spent on socialistic social programs could have them armed to the teeth in short order. They could have one HELL of an army. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2006-07-13 17:28 |
| #10 Ah thanks for that lotp - very interesting. |
| Posted by: Tony (UK) 2006-07-13 16:29 |
| #9 The impressive H-2A Launch Vehicle Major Specifications of the H-IIA launch vehicle |
| Posted by: john 2006-07-13 15:18 |
| #8 Not simply 'buy', Tony. The F-15J has japanese avionics and some other systems of their own design, or at least did when I was in the defense business in the late 80s, when the F15-J avionics upgrade was in progress. |
| Posted by: lotp 2006-07-13 15:16 |
| #7 That was a cool video - do they buy *all* their gear from the US? If I hadn't seen the red circle of Japan on the fighters I would have sworn it was a US promo vid! |
| Posted by: Tony (UK) 2006-07-13 15:05 |
| #6 That should be Link |
| Posted by: john 2006-07-13 14:39 |
| #5 A href='http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4482304512442455760'> Great JSDF PR Video |
| Posted by: john 2006-07-13 14:36 |
| #4 Kimmie didn't do it, Hu did. And Hu will pay for it when Japan goes nuke. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-07-13 11:36 |
| #3 See what you done Kimmie? Ya pissed Japan off. You gotta be a real asshole to piss off a pacifist nation. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2006-07-13 10:48 |
| #2 Dang it, the picture links worked when I wrote it and they did't work from StrategyPages own page... Go Here for the first one. Right click on the picture, select properties and copy the address. Paste the adress in the address line of your browser and then increment the numbers pearlharbor_1 to 2, 3, 4... up to 17 to see the pictures. |
| Posted by: DanNY 2006-07-13 09:54 |
| #1 I'm gonna watch my "Tora, Tora, Tora" DVD today. |
| Posted by: Lancasters Over Dresden 2006-07-13 09:48 |
