Japan revealed its intentions to make substantial changes to its defence policies on the pretext of China’s increasing military might and North Korea’s nuclear weapons.
Japan has a maritime border with China. Japan’s new national defence policy has acquired additional importance in the wake of the recent rise in tension between China and Japan, when a Chinese trawler hit a Japanese petrol boat near a disputed chain of coral islands to which both countries have ownership claims.
China has been strengthening its military, utilising its trade surplus and foreign currency reserves, due to which its neighbours - such as India, with 
which it has border disputes, Japan, with which it has disputes on ownership over coral islands in South China Sea, and Taiwan, with which it has ownership claims, have rising concerns.
The USA is also worried about China’s military build-up as it feels China is threatening its interests in the South Asia and East Asia regions. The secretary of state for the US, Ms Hillary Clinton, expressed openly her concerns that China was asserting its domination in the region.
Recently, the US conducted military drills with South Korea in the Yellow Sea after North Korea fired artillery shells on a disputed South Korean island near the maritime border. Though the US said the military drills were part of regular exercises, its main aim was to issue a veiled warning to the Chinese military, which has been determining its position in the region. The US accused China of not reining in North Korea’s behaviour during the recent tensions in the Korean peninsula. It has 50,000 troops stationed on the Japanese island of Okinawa and 28,500 troops in South Korea.
The Japanese cabinet approved the National Defence Programme Guidelines as part of a defence review that would shape its defence policies for the next ten years according to BBC News.
Japan wants to change the placement of its forces in line with the shifting balance of power in the region.
Japan previously concentrated its forces in the northern region of the country to counter the Soviet Union, which occupied nearby islands at the end of World War II and on which Japan has claims, calling them “Northern Territories.”
Now it wants to reduce its forces in the North and focus on the Southern side close to China. Japan decided to increase forces in the Southern region in order to balance the growing assertiveness of the Chinese military in East China and the South China seas.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Ruvy
the US’ military strategy for the global dominance seems to be based on integrating Middle East and South Asia as a single entity and acquiring supremacy in that entity as the EU is increasingly keeping away from accepting the US’ dominance in global political and financial arenas.
Pray tell, how is a bankrupt empire to dominate anything?
2 - Christopher Rose
Well, you seem to think your intellectually and ethically bankrupt ideology can rule the world, so why not?
In reality, the USA isn't trying to dominate anything, just prepare for the future in which it will be joined by other nations' hands on the levers of power, unlike you, who is continuously re-living the past in a particularly unattractive type of "Groundhog Day" way...
3 - Sekhar
Well Rose, how would you define the wars of aggression in Afghanistan and Iraq? How would you see using diplomats for collecting intelligence information? What is your reading on sanctioning Iran which has not built a single nuclear weapon but leaving out Israel that stockpiled more than 400 nukes?
4 - Ruvy
sanctioning Iran which has not built a single nuclear weapon but leaving out Israel that stockpiled more than 400 nukes?
Sekhar, the difference between us and the Persians is that when it comes to security we Jews (used to) know how to shut up. So, we developed our nukes in relative secrecy, while the "poor Persians" have had to work in the open. The other difference is that we NEVER threatened to use our nukes at all. But the little Hitler in Tehran has made it clear he intends to wipe us from the map. Comments like that DO get attention. Especially from the intended victim!
5 - Christopher Rose
Sekhar, I would define the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as naive mistakes; I see using diplomats as spies as what all governments do; and I agree that there are many illogicalities about the situation with regard to nuclear weapons.
That said, I still don't think the US is doing any more than trying to do its best, but it still has a lot to learn about the nature of international politics.
6 - zingzing
chris: "I still don't think the US is doing any more than trying to do its best..."
for itself, mind you. and that means what's best for multinational corporations. the military-industrial complex is no joke. chaos is money's friend, even if they haven't continued to make money after they took it this time. we'll find another crisis. or create one.
and yeah. if you're (not you, chris) shocked by the fact that diplomats spy, you're a fool. what do you think they were doing? wining and dining people for chuckles?
7 - Sekhar
Ruvy, do you mean one can build nukes in secret? IAEA is not saying it. NSG (Nuclear Suppliers' Group) is also not saying it. International community pressurizes WMD holding countries to join IAEA and allow IAEA to check their facilities. As India and Pakistan did not choose to be part of IAEA they were banned from nuclear trade. Israel is not a member of IAEA. But the US is not pressurizing Israel to join IAEA and to allow IAEA inspectors for checking Israeli facilities. Why because Israel is its ally. Israel is protecting the US' interests in the middle east region. J F Kennedy forced Israel to join IAEA and he tried to send IAEA inspectors to Israel. Meanwhile he was murdered mysteriously, the motive for which is not yet established till today. That is another issue.
But Iran is a member of IAEA and allowed inspectors for checking its facilities. But, as Iran found the inspectors passing the information to the US they banned them. IAEA works for the USA. It is a well known fact. That's why Iran is trying to defend its integrity by blocking spying. Still, it is ready to allow IAEA inspectors provided they do what they are supposed to do instead of spying. Moreover, Iran is telling its nuclear program is for energy and medical purposes. The US intelligence agencies also confirmed Iran did not build nukes and it did not possess sufficient technology to build nukes.
Still, it is sanctioned four times only because of unestablished doubts. The US and its European allies are trying to protect their interests through Israel's nukes by preventing Iran from building nukes. If Iran builds nukes then balance of power dramatically becomes adverse to the US and the EU. That's why Iran is attacked several times with sanctions by hegemonic western countries. This is all part of imperialist design. Actually, the US is the biggest threat to world peace and Israel is a threat to peace in Middle East region. Because they two have a history of attacking other sovereign countries, which is quite against to the Geneva conventions and UN principles.
8 - Sekhar
And Ruvy, Western countries campaigned vigorously that Ahmadinejad said that he wanted to wipe out Israel from the map. But, that is incorrect. Ahmadinejad gave clarification what he actually said and what he meant. Strangely (of course deliberately) western dominated world media ignored his clarifications. I posted his clarifications on my blog long back. They also attributed to Ahmadinejad as denying holocaust which is again a deliberate misleading accusation. I've read his statement and posted on my blog at that time.
We have to be careful while reading western media. We should be able to separate truth and lies from what is propagated by western media of all forms. They have their own political and business interests. They write for their interests. They do not hesitate to discredit the rulers who disagree with them and reject to succumb to their pressures. They do not hesitate championing worst rulers only because they agree to protect their interests. Here media interests are nothing but their parent countries i.e. western countries.
9 - Sekhar
Rose, US is not telling attacks are mistakes. Obama is trying to win the war and US troops will be in Afghanistan and Iraq even if US wins war. It is only your opinion that they were mistakes.
No Rose, third world countries cannot spy on the US and EU. They do not have such capabilities. Even if they are capable they cannot dare to spy. You have to understand it. Of course, EU countries may be spying on the US as the US is doing on them. They both have common interests and contradictions also. When it comes to exploiting third world countries they unite. When it comes to their individual interests they struggle among themselves. All these struggles and uniting do not appear openly. One can only understand them by keenly observing their moves.
US has a lot to learn the nature of international politics!? If you don't mind Rose, it is you to know what the US actually is. US is the leader of the world politics and Sixteen intelligent agencies work 24X7 around the world to make governments favorable to the US interests. US interests means the interests of US MNCs, TNCs, Conglomerates, Cartels etc... US is maintaining hundreds of military bases around the world. US has a long history of toppling governments, changing heads of states, canceling approved contracts and allocating them to the US companies in other countries, bombing and assassinating heads of states, espionage etc... All these are only for power and wealth.
I'm really astonished with your comment #5, Rose.
10 - Christopher Rose
Sekhar, you asked me some questions and I answered them. It doesn't matter what the USA says about Afghanistan and Iraq because you asked me what I think...
I have no evidence of it but I would be absolutely amazed if no third world countries are spying on the USA. You say they don't have the capability but all a good spy needs is some social engineering skills and a little charm and persistence, so I seriously doubt that.
The USA is all of those things, Sekhar, but it is also a very young country and I think it shows.
Frankly, I am a little astonished that you are astonished...
11 - Sekhar
Yeah, I acknowledged it was your opinion.
India, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Greece etc... these countries are elder than the US, as you said Rose. But, they don't have military bases except on their lands. Intelligence agencies of these countries collude with CIA, FBI etc... India's IB, RAW and Pakistan's ISI work directly under CIA.
Economies of third world countries are peripheral economies to the US economy. After globalization, public sectors are dismantled and market economies are installed depriving their people of jobs and steady incomes. Private sector is not yet developed there. Even multinational companies of India are just partners of MNCs of the USA or EU. They don't act on their own without consulting US companies and Govt. US companies hold majority shares in Indian private companies. Public companies of third world countries are bought by FDIs after the spread of globalization.
Do not all these facts demonstrate the supremacy of the US and other western countries Rose?
12 - Ruvy
Ruvy, do you mean one can build nukes in secret?
Israel pursued its nuclear policy in great secrecy. So much so as to build a Potemkin village 50 yrs ago in Dimona to fool foreign and American inspectors. The Americans always "knew" that Israel was building a nuclear force. Shim'on Peres had expressed interest in nuclear development even in the early '50s. But they were never able to put their finger on the full facts until Michael Vanunu blew the whistle on our efforts here. Advanced satellite and photographic technology has made doing these things a lot harder to hide in the last three decades. But you must bear in mind that these advances were not always in place.
People tend to forget that there was not always an electric lamp, or a grid to plug it into, telephones (either wall lines or cell phones), computers, pocket calculators, televisions , spy satellites, cars, or even at one time, books.
13 - Christopher Rose
Sekhar, I don't quite understand what you want from me. How is whether other countries have military bases abroad relevant?
I don't think the USA or other Western countries currently have supremacy, nor do I think it desirable.
14 - Ruvy
US is the leader of the world politics and Sixteen intelligent agencies work 24X7 around the world to make governments favorable to the US interests. US interests means the interests of US MNCs, TNCs, Conglomerates, Cartels etc... US is maintaining hundreds of military bases around the world. US has a long history of toppling governments, changing heads of states, canceling approved contracts and allocating them to the US companies in other countries, bombing and assassinating heads of states, espionage etc... All these are only for power and wealth.
All these facts have been true for decades, Sekhar. But they are changing. Like (not so) Great Britain before it, the American empire is fading - and largely for the same reasons - they cannot afford to maintain the empire they have created.
Debtors tend to be in the power of their creditors in the world, and increasingly, America is in the power of its main creditor, China.
So, eventually, the Americans will abandon their overseas bases, many of which most Americans are totally unaware of. Or, in the event of a sudden economic collapse, these events will speed up dramatically.
15 - Sekhar
Rose, I'm debating your point in 5#
That said, I still don't think the US is doing any more than trying to do its best, but it still has a lot to learn about the nature of international politics.
I'm trying to tell that the US pursues world supremacy -political, economic and military- through various measures such as setting up military bases around the world, spying to get the knowledge of internal matters of other countries etc.. All these are ultimately meant for economic gains for the US MNCs.
Your comment mentioned above says US is not such country. So I am trying to prove what I said. Somewhere we missed links it seems.
16 - Sekhar
#12 Ruvy, I did not ask about capability. I asked about legality. My point is Israel is not acknowledging that it has nukes to avoid IAEA inspectors and pressures from other world countries. Targeting Iran instead of Israel is a naked hypocrisy.
"US empire is fading" this is a hot topic now actually. US economy is facing problems but its military might is still there. Wars are continuing and bases are there. China is just holding debt. But it has no oversees military pockets or staunch supporters like USA. It still has a long way to go in terms of hegemony. India is a big country but it can not bypass US interests. Dollar is still the major currency. IMF and WB are still controlled by the US. Where as Euro is struggling for its life. Doubts are expressed that EU might split due to debt crisis.
US may be declining economically but there is not a country or group of countries that can replace the US. What do you say Ruvy?
17 - Christopher Rose
Sekhar, I understand that you think the USA wants world supremacy, I simply disagree.
Ruvy, I think you misunderstand the nature of state debt. It isn't like borrowing a small amount of money, if the USA economy has problems, its suppliers do too. It simply isn't in China's interest to call in its debts and I don't think that will ever happen.
18 - Sekhar
Rose, we have fundamental differences on this issue. It is better not go further. Thanks.
19 - Ruvy
Ruvy, I think you misunderstand the nature of state debt.
For a European who is seeing several countries go tits-up with their banking systems - neighbors like Ireland, or vacation spots like Greece - you amaze me with your inability to comprehend "sovereign debt" a phrase bouncing around European media sources for o'er a year now. You must be in a very comfortable cave on the Isle of Wight not to comprehend these things.
The other thing you need to comprehend is that "calling in one's teds" is not always a financial measure. There has been quite a bit of Chinese muscling in on American foreign policy activities lately, including a missile sent to be seen in Los Angeles last month. Gunboat diplomacy - now being practiced on America by the Chinese - is not new. But it sure is new to the Americans. It is so new, that they cannot admit it is taking place!
But it is. Putting the mighty American empire in a place subservient to the Chinese one is another way of calling in one's teds. That is exactly what the Americans did to the British after WWII. That I should have to remind you of this is nothing short of amazing!
20 - Sekhar
Ruvy, me too unaware of Chinese missile in LA. It is really a groundbreaking news, you know. Where did you get it. Can you provide any link to that?
But, Rose has a point. 'US debt in China hands' binds China too. If China starts to demand repayment, dollar value will be squeezed due to which value of China's debt holding will also decrease. I think China can only wait for debt maturity and stop further bond purchase if it wants to reduce US debt holdings. Isn't it?
21 - Ruvy
#12 Ruvy, I did not ask about capability. I asked about legality. My point is Israel is not acknowledging that it has nukes to avoid IAEA inspectors and pressures from other world countries. Targeting Iran instead of Israel is a naked hypocrisy.
Come, come, Sekhar. For all the singing and dancing around translations, the little Hitlers in Teheran continue to threaten out extinction daily, with the implication that their missiles or nukes will do the extinguishing for them.
In a world full of liars and thieves who rule nations, pretenses at legality is a silly preoccupation to pursue. I do not have time for what you call "legality". I'm interested in survival. And if you wish to condemn us for being less than open about our nuclear capabilities, so be it. Seeing what bigots the UN sends out to "judge" us - as though the scum in the UN have any right to judge at all - we do not need further nuisances from other "international regulatory organizations" who mean us nothing but harm and ill with their lies against us.
The appropriate approach to those interested in extinguishing us is extinguishing them first - according to the governing principle from the Talmud; "he who raises his hand to bless you, bless him first - to kill you, kill him first."
That policy would require putting our nukes on the front porch - and acting, rather than talking, but making it clear that WE and not they, will initiate a nuclear war in the region, to make sure that WE, not they, survive.
In a world filled with vicious pagans out to kill us, we need to be demonstrably more vicious than they before we can afford to be merciful to them. You have no clue what "demonstrably more vicious" means - and you do not want to find out.
And do remember - I have no interest in peace before the security of my nation has been secured. Therefore, before I even think about peace, I think about the necessary prerequisite - WAR AND VICTORY.
22 - Sekhar
Ruvy, you sound like a perfect (Israeli) terrorist. Let it be.
In my view, every country has a sovereign right to own any weapon, including nukes, as long as these nukes holding countries possess and develop them. If any country is to abandon nukes P5 should first do so. Then only genuine peace, the peace helpful to the world people, is possible.
Israel and Iran have to become friends to fight against the hegemonic interests of the US imperialism. It takes time but that day will definitely come. Meanwhile, people like you must understand the dynamics of hegemony instead of going for meaningless hatred. I ask the same from Iranians also.
23 - Mark
Ruvy, if one wants to take a look at your/Kahane's oft quoted Talmudic dictum, "he who raises his hand to bless you, bless him first - to kill you, kill him first" where can he find it? Thanks in advance.
24 - Ruvy
Sekhar, when are you going to wake up to the fact that America - and its hegemonic dominance - is fading? You are beating a dying horse. If you keep doing so, I'll be forced to report you to the Humane Society....
The American general (and drunk, not to mention careless wagon driver) Ulysses S. Grant, once observed that "armies move on their bellies". It is a guiding principle in military logistics. The soldiers, wherever they are, have to eat. MRE's, which is what American soldiers eat these days, cost money. And that is when we come to the sticking point.
Money.
The US is a bit short. "A dollar short and a day late" just doesn't cover how short. The figure is in the $trillions! At that point all that matters is that the only way the Americans can "pay" for the MRE's and other things needed to keep a hegemonic military going, is by printing up worthless dollars that have no backing whatsoever. When these worthless dollars are perceived as indeed worthless, that is when the money for the soldiers goes up in smoke. Either the soldiers starve, start raiding the land around them, go home - or get abandoned.
This is the reason that American hegemony is fading.
As for the missile incident, this news report from MSNBC is one of many that covered it. By the time I found out about it, (12 Nov.) this comment below had accounted for the missile.
"By now you should already know it crash landed? in China, and that it was launched by a Russian made Chinese Kilo class submarine and that it was military exercise executed in retaliation for the joint millitary exercises performed between the USA and S.Corea in The Sea of China."
Quite a few military experts who should know confirmed that this was indeed a Chinese ICBM launched from an area in the south Pacific between Peru and French Polynesia, an area that was not covered very well by American satellites.
That is one example of Chinese gunboat diplomacy, Sekhar. The Russians must have felt very much the same way in 1904 when the Japs started kicking their asses; the British must have felt the same way when their soldiers got decimated by the Pashtun in Afghanistan in the 1880's....
25 - Christopher Rose
Sekhar, back out of the conversation if you like; I'll take it that you have no further relevant response...
Ruvy, as the determined mystic mumbler that you are, it comes as no surprise to me that you think the economies of Ireland, Greece or other European countries have gone "tits up" or that I fail to understand the nature of sovereign debt.
One is simply inaccurate, the other is something you made up, both of which are things you are excessively fond of, to the detriment of both your personal credibility and your beliefs, the latter of which really doesn't need that kind of "help".
I love the way you keep shifting the rhetorical ground you stand on as each piece of your argument is rebutted. All those years of trying to bend your mind to the implausible beliefs you have encumbered it with will do that.
The only fact in your argument is that the USA's role on the world stage is changing or, as I like to say, evolving, whilst you will presumably cling to the comforting, if slightly cruel, fiction that it is all part of a greater plan by the invisible architect.
In my experience, whilst there is some truth at the core of the cliché that you have to look at history to understand the present, it doesn't follow that past events dictate the future, particularly as the all important context has changed.
Well, the context has changed for those whose world view is more recent than that of theists...