Monday, July 10, 2006
Japan's Own "Bush Doctrine"
-By Warner Todd Huston
Well, the Japanese are finally starting to return to adulthood. Since the end of WWII and their subsequent loss of the war to the US, Japan has been slowly evolving from the dependent child to the loud but unsure teen. Now they are about to become adults, once again, ready to step out fully on their own.
And we have the psychotic, idiot that China allows to oppress the North Koreans, Kim Jong-il, to thank for this transformation.
Japan has announced that it is considering the prudent step of preemptive strikes against North Korean missile launches.
When Japan reformed its civil government after WWII, it placed a measure in its Constitution that prevented it from forming an army that might be used for aggressive purposes. That was a necessary measure to take at the time as the Japanese had been among the most vicious and violent cultures of the world previous to that time. The Pacific Rim as well as the rest of the world needed reassurance that a militant Japan would never again threaten the world.
But, that day is long passed. Japan, in many substantive ways is a different nation, a different, more civilized people.
So, it is sensible and right that they begin to look to their own defense with a stronger and more vital military force. And it is right that they take on the preemptive strike ideas of the Bush Doctrine. North Korea is NOT a sane, civilized nation and it will NOT observe up to diplomacy and discussion.
It will only know overwhelming power lined up against it.
Exactly the sane logic that Bush has used to reverse decades of Democratic Party weakness and Vietnam Syndrome fear to tell the world that a threat will be dealt with before it harms the US.
Japan is coming into its own Bush Doctrine with the realization that the world isn’t a nice place where love and flowers greet you at all turns. North Korea is a threat to the world, but even more dangerous to Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the rest of the region. It is even a threat to China and only Chinese hardheadedness keeps them from admitting it.
So, good for Japan. Welcome to adulthood again. It’s been a long time.
Well, the Japanese are finally starting to return to adulthood. Since the end of WWII and their subsequent loss of the war to the US, Japan has been slowly evolving from the dependent child to the loud but unsure teen. Now they are about to become adults, once again, ready to step out fully on their own.
And we have the psychotic, idiot that China allows to oppress the North Koreans, Kim Jong-il, to thank for this transformation.
Japan has announced that it is considering the prudent step of preemptive strikes against North Korean missile launches.
“Japan has warned it would launch a pre-emptive military action against North Korea if it had firm evidence Pyongyang was planning a missile attack.”
(Source BBC)
When Japan reformed its civil government after WWII, it placed a measure in its Constitution that prevented it from forming an army that might be used for aggressive purposes. That was a necessary measure to take at the time as the Japanese had been among the most vicious and violent cultures of the world previous to that time. The Pacific Rim as well as the rest of the world needed reassurance that a militant Japan would never again threaten the world.
But, that day is long passed. Japan, in many substantive ways is a different nation, a different, more civilized people.
So, it is sensible and right that they begin to look to their own defense with a stronger and more vital military force. And it is right that they take on the preemptive strike ideas of the Bush Doctrine. North Korea is NOT a sane, civilized nation and it will NOT observe up to diplomacy and discussion.
It will only know overwhelming power lined up against it.
“Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba said it would be "a self-defence measure" if North Korea was going to "resort to arms against Japan".
Mr Ishiba said it would be too late if a North Korean missile was already on its way.”
Exactly the sane logic that Bush has used to reverse decades of Democratic Party weakness and Vietnam Syndrome fear to tell the world that a threat will be dealt with before it harms the US.
Japan is coming into its own Bush Doctrine with the realization that the world isn’t a nice place where love and flowers greet you at all turns. North Korea is a threat to the world, but even more dangerous to Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the rest of the region. It is even a threat to China and only Chinese hardheadedness keeps them from admitting it.
So, good for Japan. Welcome to adulthood again. It’s been a long time.
# posted by Publius @ 7/10/2006 01:28:00 PM 
|
