Wow, this is quite a big step for Japan and kinda goes to show how threatened by their neighbors they are feeling tbh. However am not a geopolitics expert and this is just my assessment.

All these provocations and military action by Russia, NK and China seem pretty stupid unless its their goal to get the worlds most powerful and technological advanced nations really pissed off and armed to their teeth

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 75%. (I'm a bot)

> Japan is considering using an enemy base strike capability, or what it prefers to call "Counterstrike capability," with its ally the United States, in the event it comes under attack, a source familiar with the matter said Friday.

> In April, the LDP proposed that the government declare the possession of an enemy base strike capability, which would allow Japan to hit and disable enemy missiles before they are launched from foreign territory.

> On Tuesday, a government panel consisting mostly of defense policy and public finance experts proposed upholding the plan to acquire the enemy base strike capability, calling it "Essential" to enhancing Japan's deterrence.

Extended Summary | FAQ | Feedback | Top keywords: Japan^#1 capability^#2 government^#3 enemy^#4 attack^#5

Not to mention repair international relations between countless leaders that had drifted apart. Talk about a hat trick of stupid

Japan has no offensive military. They themselves voted to never have one again. But it the current political climate of the world I wouldn't hold it against them for breaking that vow.

Japan has always been in a precarious position, it's like the country motto. It's why they gave imperialism their best shot, and then dove headfirst into manufacturing.

With military conflict peeking its head, yeah, big volcanic hurricane-target archipelago with no major natural resources to speak of, a whole bunch of people to feed and two big, aggressive neighbors does have cause to be concerned.

Japan has a navy that is better outfitted than Chinas, and a well equipped defense force. They don’t have an “offensive military” per se, but they’re not exactly helpless as it stands.

The big elephant in the room is the treaty they have with the US. Attacking Japan means direct conflict with America, which is… not something that is conducive to staying alive.

Wait a minute. So if one of kims rockets hits japan then its korean war round 2?

Since the Korean War was a war between North and South Korea, and this hypothetical situation was about a missile hitting Japan, I’m going to assume no.

Korean War gone hot again. The first one never officially ended.

I would not be surprised if the US/NATO military industrial complex wasn't some how encouraging Russia and China to be massive aggressive dicks.

Everyone thinks they'd like a massive aggressive dick until they try one.

Which are the two big aggressive neighbors? N. Korea is just psycho. I’ll agree that you cannot trust China.

Technically, the Korean war is still ongoing. Both North Korea and South Korea only signed an armistice, a temporary ceasefire agreement and not an official peace treaty to end hostilities.

They are right next to Russia, and some of the islands north of Japan are disputed territory

Russia is such a non-threat and has become something more of a mere annoyance and troublemaker that I forgot about them. The Sharkesy Islands (can’t spell the name) north of Japan and borders Russia is the disputed territory if I recall correctly.

Russia could be the mangiest mutated beast to stumble out of Chernobyl, but it’s still good at killing women and children, so being able to hit back at that is prudent.

It’s an ultimatum to China to resolve North Korea (the Kims specifically) in a way satisfactory to the US or B-2s start making NK military installations disappear.

There was an article yesterday regarding FSB leaks discussing attacking Japan too.

they are in an existential battle with democracy.

if former Soviet states, South Korea, and Taiwan are successful and prosperous -- what does that say about the legitimacy of their own dictatorships?

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Can we get a new M.A.S.H reboot?

Ignoring someone just because their military is not very good at fighting wars is not a very good idea. This is not a video game, these are real people dying. It doesn't matter who wins, it's still a horrifying, barbaric and frankly anachronistic activity that you do not want to engage in under any circumstances.

It doesn't have to be large, aggressive and super dangerous, though it is, like any nuclear power. It just has to be aggressive for it to become wise for neighbors to keep themselves generally well-prepared.

>Japan has no offensive military. They themselves voted to never have one again.

This is bullshit. The term self defense force is misleading. Go check up their military prowess. No such things as 'offensive military'. They are only doctrined by the US post WWII that they are not allowed to deliver the first strike.

Others have pointed out the Korean War had not technically ended. If North Korea did attack Japan, depending on the United Nations declaration that led to combat, the war may simply continue due to a violation of the armistice.

In this case, America would be vulnerable as an existing combatant. At the same time, America could strike as an existing combatant.

Are we really this close to a hot war? Anyone know better?

> two big, aggressive neighbors

I’d say three at least. If not four. I get why they are demilitarized and I agree with the reasoning but Japan probably also wants to keep their own cultural identity (fair enough) and the neighbors around them are plenty itchy on the trigger often.