Japan shedding its pacifist constraints

thomas · 13 Apr 2022

Abe and his consorts must be jubilating. Hasn't he suggested (hosting) nuclear arms and Japanese first-strike capabilities? The NYT on Japan's role in the new world order and what was behind the decision to provide (defensive) military equipment to Ukraine.

For Mr. Kishida, the leader of a dovish wing of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, such assertive national security language is a departure from his previous focus on taming the pandemic and reforming economic policy. "It's very astonishing to see the developments in Ukraine," said Ken Jimbo, a professor of international relations at Keio University in Tokyo. "And that might really impact how we look at our own defense posture." [...] In some ways, Mr. Kishida, a liberal-leaning member of a conservative party, may accomplish more to push Japan into its military future than did Mr. Abe, a right-wing ideologue who failed in his quest to revise the pacifist clause in Japan's Constitution.

You might be paywalled:

With Threats All Around, Japan Moves to Shed Its Pacifist Constraints (Published 2022)

Growing calls for more military spending after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine demonstrate Japan’s recognition that it must bolster its own deterrent power, not just rely on its U.S. alliance.

www.nytimes.com

Grandpa Frank · 13 Apr 2022

I've always figured there are nukes at Sasebo Navy base if there are US ships there. Nuke weapons are now small enough to be mounted on plane wings.

Japan shedding its pacifist constraints

thomas

Unswerving cyclist

With Threats All Around, Japan Moves to Shed Its Pacifist Constraints (Published 2022)

Grandpa Frank

Sempai

Similar threads