Japan Wants to be a Superpower, Too

[Phaedrus]

Japan should become a nation headed by the Emperor and armed with an army, navy and air force that can use force on an international stage, according to a report on a Constitution revising plan compiled by a ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) panel.

So, does this make them our new UK-style ally, or does this mean we pre-emptively strike? It's so hard to tell in today's woraday imperium.


Phaedrus

 

[Oceans11]

Its N Korea, and to some extent, china.
Japan has relied on the US umbrella because of its constitution.

Some are seriously questioning that strategy, and want a decent homegrown military that can operate overseas.

If they militarise, they could start building their own kit. tanks, artillery aircraft etc, they definitely have the ability.

The US/West had managed to keep Japan out of the space race until recently, but they have their own basic launch vehicle now.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2574899.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2892641.stm

Because of their amazing ability to build ultra reliable kit they are perceived as a serious threat to the export markets of places like the US and europe.
Japanese car and electronics manufacturers have stomped all over european/US producers because they are so reliable.

Theres a fear they can do the same thing with high volume production of military and outer space kit and technology.

It will be interesting to see how the US handles them, they have the cash and ability, and are getting twitchy.

 

[Phaedrus]

It will be interesting to see how the US handles them, they have the cash and ability, and are getting twitchy.

Interesting to say the least. Two points here though: first off, they have the ability, but Japan has been a wee bit cash-strapped for about a decade now. Second, a great deal of "superior Japanese products" are manufactured in the US, most notably Honda automobiles and certain Sony electronics. While it's true that to an extent the Japanese brought innovative and sometimes superior manufacturing technology with them, the fact remains that they are here, not there.

*superior manufacturing technology anecdote*

From my personal diary, circa 1988.

Phaedrus is the son of a brilliant R&D engineer who unfortunately wasted a good amount of his time at General Motors. When he was still there, I once remarked on the then-new Chevy Baretta, a car I was nuts over (I was young, and dumb.) One thing I really liked about it was it's apparent lack of door handles; the handles were integrated into the moulding above the door, where the door and window meet, and was powder-black to match the pil

 

[sphincter]

the domino effect.....exactly what the u.s. had intentions of stifling.....the result that most of europe and the rest of the world seems to have little interest in curtailing....i guess everybody should just butt out and let all the little despotic regimes have at it and just wait for armageddon....there are now multiple flashpoints....the middle east(israel/palestine...pakistan/india)...the far east(north korea).....now iran is in the mix....the cat is out of the bag...