I am wondering if Japan will ever say goodbye to the U.S troops stationed in its country and ever form its own army. Its quite clear that Japan is slowly but surely going more right wing and becoming more nationalistic.

Does it bother the majority of Japanese that they have to have another country defend them and that they are like the U.S's lapdog? I know Japanese here won't like that comment one bit, especially Takashi I assume.

Seems the Japanese don't like the American soldiers on their soil, having Americans harrasing their citizens, even if on a very small scale. What are the costs and benefits of having the U.S defend Japan? Do the costs outweight the benefits or vice versa?

Please discuss and be nice.

Japan lost something called world war 2 and the terms were made out clear in its consitution that it will be a pacifist country. I remember someone saying it took 2 wars to finally make Germans admit their mistakes..

Well that really depends on whether or not your master uncle sam permits you to have one. Maybe if Japan asked nicely and performed some tricks then america might be tempted to loan you guys a ship and a tank for your good behaviour.

Yes I have noticed lots of anger from Chinese and Koreans here of Japanese mostly not owning up to their mistakes in WW2 unlike Germany which has profusely apologized.

Do you think that Japan will ever give a full hearty apology and would you Chinese/Koreans be satisfied by it? Do you think that would increase its chances of starting up its own military?

If Japan EVER had the chance, do you think it would go on an imperialistic rampage again? Is it built into the Japanese to be violent, aggressive people?

Well Ive always believed that the best indicator of future behaviour is past and present behaviour. We already know what japan did in the past Im not even going to get into that as that topic has already been talked to death but whats even more disturbing is whats happening presently with japanese leaders the government and certain individuals within the japanese populace. So you take all of those into consideration add a mixture of an entire generation of japanese youths growing up with little to no knowledge of there ancestors past atrocities and you tell me what the chances are of japan repeating its imperalistic rampage?

So it looks like relations with Japan and China and Korea will only worsen? Or is there a way to avery any disaster? The ball is in Japan's court?

Even if Japan did full apologize, got rid of their shrines commemorating those who fought for the aggression, and other things they do to make the situation worse, I don't think the Chinese/Koreans would ever be satisfied. It's nothing Japan could ever rectify.

I don't think Japan would ever go on another imperialistic rampage. Nationalism has since died, there are too many capitalist nations who control the world now for that to happen.

But personally, I think Japan should be able to create their own mild army for self-defense and should not depend on the US for anything. The US should take their army out of any Japanese islands. Out of Asia for that matter.

So things can never go back to normal between Japan/Korea/China? Its a shame since they are such close neighbors and are related in several aspects. So close but such bitter enemies as well,m despite all the trade and other contact they have with each other.

I disagree totally with your first sentence. Alot could be changed with action alone. If japan from the beginning had really be remorseful sincere and apologetic about there past they would have done anything and everything necessary to prove that. They have not even exerted 1% of the required effort in expressing any kind of remorse in there country. I can tell you personally for me and my family and my relatives as well as my friends who are chinese an action of remorse would have sealed the deal it would have put an end to this whole painful ordeal instead they choose to prolong this to antagonize there neighbours and thats the reason why chinese and koreans would never be satisifed its not that well never be satisfied if they do act on there remorse because I can assure you we would be more then satisfied we would be impressed the same way were impressed with germanys upfront approach to there past. The way you said it you make it out to be a no win situation and that is not the case its all about intent and whether or not your willing to admit your faults.

it is kinda sad. i heard their original plan was to actually unite Asia. the problem is it would be under Japan and...well the method that was used. still, at the time, with all the europeans people coming over. it was probably a good idea.

Good idea but the wrong country was in charge.

Chinese Japanophile

Righttttt

uh oh hot dog!

i was talking about Splur btw

splur is japanophile, look at this sig. i bet he listens to morning musume all teh time



kidding, but seriously, u do listen to m-musume right.,

Saying Japan was wrong and that they could never rectify what they did makes me a Japanophile... how? Do you think otherwise?

Actually no, I don't :P. Tanaka Reina is hot :P, MM isn't.

Japan can have its own military but only for defensive purposes no attack capability it is written in the Treaty. This also applies to Germany. The US military may leave Japan but not completely but I think they wont leave Japan as of this moment.

Americans do not belong in Japan, we need to re-arm, and get rid of that disgusting constitution forced on Japan by Americans. We need politicians with balls to do this, not another American @$$ kisser like Koizumi Junichiro. Abe said about it before, I hope he actually can do it.

pacifisism is the way to go or japanese will start another kamikaze war

Have you japanese ever reflected upon your own country to understand why you became pacifists in the first place?

Treaties can be broken depending on the situation. Remember what happened to the Philippines when Mt. Pinatubo erupted, it destroyed the Naval and Airforce base of the United States including the Philippine Air Force aircraft fleet which were burried in volcanic ash.

Ever since that happened, the Philippine-US Defense Treaty was broken and the United States did not return anymore to the major bases in the Philippines but they just installed small bases which are mostly UAV drone bases.

Funny words coming from a descendant of a country that did exactly this to other neighbouring countries. And now you have a new generation of japanese who somehow feel there the exception and should be entitled to tell who and who shouldnt be in there country when back then many of the victims of japan didnt even get a chance to voice an opinion at all. Contradiction at its finest right here.

You know its very ironic that the Japanese were the victim of the US evil scheme. The axis powers before WW2 were US, Germany, Japan, Italy, etc... When the US ordered Japan to invade Russia, Japan was hesitant because they think they are not that strong enough then the US got mad and detached itself from being part of the axis power so Japan got mad and attacked pearl harbor.

I'm actually so anti-American that I'm willing to say that Japan should have their own military. As you can notice, I did say that Japan was completely wrong, but that they should still have their own military.

I don't believe in world policing by one country who seems to go on their on vendetta is right, sorry. In the world powers, US shouldn't have their military in alot of countries they currently do.

So don't think I'm a Japanophile supporting Japan by all means, I'm actually very offended by that because YES, I am Chinese. But I'm very much against the westernization of Asia.

i agree. based on peers and countries, i prefer a proud asian rather then an @$$ kissing asian. i have no respect for people, or countries that kiss the @$$ of america.

splur, midnight, we canadians hate america. hehehehe

Well Im a Marine stationed on Camp Foster Okinawa and there's one issue/rumor I keep hearing about. The majority of the Marine Corps installations and Marines might be moved to Guam. I think that's one of the main topics in the elections going on right now. I have very little knowledge on this tho, like I said I keep hearing stuff about this.
Some Japanese and Okinawan locals hate us and some love us. My question is, if we shut down a lot of bases here, we are getting rid of a lot of jobs like the chall how workers, the BX/PX cashiers, the American Franchises like Chilis and Macaroni Grill, and the landscaping people and other stuff. And I know the Honchos make a lot of money on us junior marines cuz we dont have cars cuz taxis that are authorized on base charge more than the local ones. Plus I know the workers here like to use the gyms and other facilities.
I'm sure a lot of these workers are married to a service member and might move with them but what about the ones that arent?
I'm not taking sides on any of this because whatever happens, I have no control where I go either. But to Japan to have it's own military is koo too.

get out of my country, the Okinawans and us Japanese are right to hate you, and you Americans do not belong there and all you guys do is cause trouble and rape girls and "accidentally" run people over in tanks, destroy farms, and pick fights with locals.

havent there been countless accounts of rape by u.S. servicemen?

yes it ALWAYS happens

Nothing bad about you revolt, it's great that you're serving your country. Really, I have nothing against the US military per se, but I'm not happy about its strategically placed bases in foreign countries. Even though the US military does supply jobs for citizens near army bases, they can survive without. Okinawa is boosting with tourism and has many resources it has yet to tap. But currently it's not willing to because it is depending on the US military instead of itself. So yes, I hope the US does move the bases off Japan.

I dont want to make it seem like Im purposely picking on you or singling you out of everybody here but I want you to read over what you wrote 50 times until it gets engraved in your brain then you will maybe understand why we chinese feel exactly the same way to the japanese and there occupation in china back in WW2. Do you not see the contradiction in what your saying to the americans as what weve been saying to you all along? If Japan on one hand can say that its wrong for america to do that why cant japan on the other hand say the same thing for themselves in response to there own actions? Its called Karma at least with the american forces there not brutally killing these victims after theyve raped them and Im not trying to justify the actions of those scum that do this but try to understand this is wrong on all levels you could look at this as a form of karma coming back to your country in an indirect way by supposedly one of your closest allies.

Um Im not here to start a fight but We dont always cause trouble. We do try to help and interact with the community too. Yes there's scums and bastards in the Military that rape and cause problems but every country has that and that's the part that I am not proud of. But yes u have the right to hate us and we have the right to hate Japan too for bombing pearl harbor. And I havent heard anyone getting run over by tanks yet. Havent heard of us destroying farms in this millenium. People pick fights with the locals cuz they are ignorant and drunk, but they do that also in America too.
I like okinawa, It's peaceful and relaxing even on base. Even if we get kicked out, I know for a fact that a lot of us is gonna come back to visit and even live here. That's what I'm planning to do once I retire.
But I respect your opinion.


Sadly to say, yes.

Pearl Harbor is entirely different it was a STRATEGIC attack on a MILITARY base, not a CIVILIAN CITY, and what about Korea?? North and South Korea were at least trying to normalize relations until you Americans came in and fu-ked everything up.

don't be surprised. Japanese always blame crimes on the 2% foreigners living in the country.

japan should develop nuclear weapons too.

more nukes in the world = no good. Plus japanese hasn't really shown that it is responsible enough to handle nukes.

japanese are responsible and humble people. give them the nukes.

Yeah and while were at it why dont we just give kim jong il the blueprints for putting together an atomic bomb and why dont we also hand over nuclear weapons to bin laden himself?

well I think the person that supports troops over here won the election so We're gonna be here for a while.

The hell? You think because of Japan's past agression, it can't handle nukes? Thats its always going to attack other nations whenever it has the chance? Give me a break.
Besides, if Japan starts anything funny again, you Chinese can b!tchslap them back into the stoneage which I don't have a problem with.

Whats the fu-king problem here? Why are you so concerned? Is it because they are obsessed maybe with suicide and death and would launch nukes not caring if they get nuked themselves?

World War II was real responsible

that was war. what about the chinese? had they done anything despicable in their history?

every country has done something despicable. but just saying "oh they did it so it makes what we did fine" is the wrong attitude

Nukes are a cold war bargaining chip. Technically no one should still have nukes, not Japan, not China, not the US or Israel. So a new country developing or obtaining nukes is a serious thing. Seriously, no one would ever launch a nuke again because yes, they'd be scared of being nuked themselves and it'd probably be condemned by the world.

Watch Dr. Strangelove, even though it's a comedy, it's got alot of meaning to it.

I find the title of this topic funky.



As far as I can see, Japan already has its own military. What else would you call a large group of professionally trained men who are armed with high-tech avant-garde equipment? The term "Self Defense Force" is just there for the show. For people lacking knowledge, Japan might not seem to be able to attack any neighboring country, but in reality they have ample ability to do so, even without the Americans supporting them.

Dont need one cuz Big Daddy is here to protect you.

When will the Americans stop occupying Japan?

sorry enomosiki :P

1. When Americans can no longer support their soldiers stationed in Japan due to budget, influential and/or logistics problems

2. When Americans no longer see the purpose of having troops stationed in Japan (which is very unlikely, considering that they need Japan for stationing their warships and keeping influence around the region against countries like China and North Korea)

3. All of the above

Pick your choice.

So if the Americans go out of Japan because of budget problems, the treaty is now broken Japan can now build weapons maybe they will be better than the Americans. Japan has a very advanced nuclear technology that they can assemble a Nuclear Weapon in just days. Japan has many breeder reactors that can make many plutonium that is used for nuclear weapons.