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Japan Hit for Spiking Tension
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Smee



Joined: 24 Dec 2004
Location: Jeollanam-do

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 1:40 am    Post subject: Japan Hit for Spiking Tension Reply with quote

Japan Hit for Spiking Tension

Quote:
Seoul criticized Tokyo Tuesday for its ``rash and thoughtless�� approach to North Korea�s recent missile tests as some Japanese leaders have openly advocated a preemptive strike on the North.

In an unusually strong tone, Chong Wa Dae said it is a ``grave matter�� that Japan�s Cabinet ministers spoke of the legitimacy of its use of military force on the Korean Peninsula.

``It is a grave matter for Japanese Cabinet ministers to talk about the possibility of a preemptive strike and the validity of the use of force against the peninsula,�� Chong Wa Dae spokesman Jung Tae-ho told reporters after a meeting of senior presidential aides.

His aides said that the unusual statement reflects the view of President Roh Moo-hyun.

The spokesman added South Korea would deal sternly with Japanese ``arrogance and recklessness,�� as Japan, which colonized Korea from 1910 to 1945, had once again exhibited its militant and aggressive propensity.



http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200607/kt2006071117210310440.htm
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Gwangjuboy



Joined: 08 Jul 2003
Location: England

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 2:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well what does Seoul expect the Japanese to do? Should the sunshine policy restrict Japanese foreign policy the same way it does Korea's press? Mr Roh might not care that the regime north of the border has failed to keep its promises to behave itself but the Japanese have every right to be concerned about the latest developments.
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RACETRAITOR



Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 4:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pre-emptive warfare is balls. Japan isn't allowed to have a military because of their dishonourable conduct in the recent past. They should not be allowed to attack any other country, not even in this case.
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ajgeddes



Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 4:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is kind of a tough subject. I mean... who really started it? North Korea has been shooting missles towards Japan. How much longer until one 'accidentally' hits Japan?

Japan has done a lot of crap in the past, but really, so has almost every other country that has a large military nowadays. Problem is, Japan lost. How much longer is Japan going to be punished? For myself, I would prefer North Korea to stop acting like idiots, but if they aren't going to stop, then doesn't Japan deserve to be allowed to have a military?
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animalbirdfish



Joined: 04 Feb 2004

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 4:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

And doesn't this deserve to be over in Current Events with identical topics?
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eamo



Joined: 08 Mar 2003
Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 4:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Japan does have a military. They spend 44 billion dollars a year on it. It's supposed to be purely defensive but it could easily be used offensively.

I'm no military expert but it looks like Japan has a small-medium military but very well funded and throughly modern.

Not that I think there's a snowballs chance in hell they would invade N. Korea over this issue.

Minimum Military Enlistment Age: 18 Years Old

Available Military Manpower: 27,003,112
Active Military Personnel: 148,500
Frontline Personnel: 70,000

Yearly Military Expenditure: $44,310,000,000
Available Purchasing Power: $3,914,000,000,000
Reported Gold Reserves: $845,000,000,000

Small Arms Authorized Exports (FY2005) : $65,000,000
Small Arms Authorized Imports (FY2005): $77,000,000





NR = Not Reported


Aircraft: 1,957
Armor: 2,040
Artillery Systems: 5,760
Missile Defense Systems: 960
Infantry Support Systems: 1,460
Naval Units: 172
Merchant Marine Strength: 683


http://www.globalfirepower.com/country_detail.asp?country_id=20
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ajgeddes



Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 4:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

animalbirdfish wrote:
And doesn't this deserve to be over in Current Events with identical topics?


Did we offend you?
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bigverne



Joined: 12 May 2004

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 5:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Japan isn't allowed to have a military because of their dishonourable conduct in the recent past


Why is this nonsense constantly repeated? As Eamo has noted, Japan does have a rather impressive military, which is only allowed to be used for self-defence. That could be changed very quickly however.
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Moldy Rutabaga



Joined: 01 Jul 2003
Location: Ansan, Korea

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 5:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
The spokesman added South Korea would deal sternly with Japanese ``arrogance and recklessness,�� as Japan, which colonized Korea from 1910 to 1945, had once again exhibited its militant and aggressive propensity.

By doing what? Protesting them in their press or sending complaints through their diplomats.. oh, wait.. they already do that every day.

For shame on the Japanese for their arrogance and recklessness. Can't they adopt a more responsible policy, such as giving them tons of food and aid in exchange for the North Koreans agreeing to say something nice about them for five minutes.

Ken:>
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Ya-ta Boy



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 5:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Back in '98 (?) the Norks flew a missile over Japan.

Quote:
In an unusually strong tone, Chong Wa Dae said it is a ``grave matter�� that Japan�s Cabinet ministers spoke of the legitimacy of its use of military force on the Korean Peninsula.


If Chong Wa Dae really doesn't like the Japanese Cabinet discussing what to do about Nork missiles designed to fly over Japanese territory, then maybe Chong Wa Dae should do something about the Nork missiles instead of blaming the foreigners for discussing how to protect themselves.
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Dev



Joined: 18 Apr 2006

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 5:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote