I think Japan knows to its bones that they are in the crosshairs of China historically, strategically and emotionally. In fact China may well be distracted by hatred and revenge to concentrate TOO much on Japan.
So, in the theme of the best defense is a good offense, this is still in line with their defensive ideology. Japan has apologized and atone for WWII, but there is only so much they can do. For China it can never be enough, likely.
I have advocated for some time that we should be coordinating with our allies...need more subs and frigates West of Wake? Then partner with Japan and SK - who have the modern yards and capabilities - to turn out a lot of them using local designs. Have allies concentrate on one or two things they do well rather than trying to do/build everything. We'll do the same and back them up on everything else, sharing resources.
Good for Japan, but odd that we praise a move long overdue in Japan's OWN interest. ever since the fall of the FSU people have to be draggled kicking and screaming into understanding that while the Russia threat, while only a shadow of the FSU threat, is still deadly in the neighborhood. And Germany, the major European economy, is still point-blank unwilling to open its eyes. Meanwhile, cdr. Salamander has been trying non-stop to alert America of the rising China threat, to little avail. I guess we're going to have to run into a major crisis like our Navy being being excluded from the First Island Chain before we wake up.
Agree Sall = best news all year. Was there in the late 90's when Clintonites were trying to shepherd China into being a responsible nation and the Taiwan relationship became nebulous. It is nice to see us being more practical about realities.
I can say that what I saw in the JMSDF was the nucleus of a small but great Navy whose acquisition of platforms had been hampered by political considerations. The professionalism and spirit actually reminded me of visits to Norway where I spoke with our USN liaison on the pier who was patrolling waters north of Tromso with a PTG squadron, and what we see in the determination of Ukrainians as well. I hope the Japanese people will support this over the long haul and for the right reasons. With all that is going on in the world, like Russia in the very early 80's, China may consider taking a shot..
"The Japanese will be smart in this spending too." A possible comment re the defense capture of too many of our defense $ going to dubious programs? Shocked, just shocked.
The lion's share of what I read on recent events––and developing trends––in China suggests that the CCP is feeling the window of "opportunity" closing much faster than most of our ostensible experts in the West believe. What's your take on likely courses of action from the CCP? If there is such a "window" and China ruler's perceive it is closing...are they likely to plunge into a series of moves much sooner than we anticipate or can effectively react to?
mostly true, though scandals do occur now and then. Big obstacle is insufficient strength in Self-Defense Forces (SDF): pay is poor so not enough people volunteer.
The Japanese will buy real warships, too, not little coffin ships that are 2/3 the size of a CLEVELAND, and armed with a 57mm gun that is optically aimed, and has only over the counter navigational radars.
China fears and is intimidated by Japan. For all the bluster China worries they are just not as good as Japan. China spends 4 times as much on defence as Japan, but Japan has access to all of the best technology, is much less corrupt than China and doesn't have to match China capability for capability to deter China in that Japan has the advantage of geography. Next thing that has to happen is for Taiwan itself to get a lot more serious about its own defence.
I think Japan knows to its bones that they are in the crosshairs of China historically, strategically and emotionally. In fact China may well be distracted by hatred and revenge to concentrate TOO much on Japan.
So, in the theme of the best defense is a good offense, this is still in line with their defensive ideology. Japan has apologized and atone for WWII, but there is only so much they can do. For China it can never be enough, likely.
I have advocated for some time that we should be coordinating with our allies...need more subs and frigates West of Wake? Then partner with Japan and SK - who have the modern yards and capabilities - to turn out a lot of them using local designs. Have allies concentrate on one or two things they do well rather than trying to do/build everything. We'll do the same and back them up on everything else, sharing resources.
And not a speck of rust on their ship. The Japanese are sticking to business rather than becoming mired with wokeism!
Good for Japan! Can someone send this newsletter to our comrades in NATO as a hint.
Good for Japan, but odd that we praise a move long overdue in Japan's OWN interest. ever since the fall of the FSU people have to be draggled kicking and screaming into understanding that while the Russia threat, while only a shadow of the FSU threat, is still deadly in the neighborhood. And Germany, the major European economy, is still point-blank unwilling to open its eyes. Meanwhile, cdr. Salamander has been trying non-stop to alert America of the rising China threat, to little avail. I guess we're going to have to run into a major crisis like our Navy being being excluded from the First Island Chain before we wake up.
Now if only we would follow suite, and spend our dollars on new warships....instead of LCS jokes.
Agree Sall = best news all year. Was there in the late 90's when Clintonites were trying to shepherd China into being a responsible nation and the Taiwan relationship became nebulous. It is nice to see us being more practical about realities.
I can say that what I saw in the JMSDF was the nucleus of a small but great Navy whose acquisition of platforms had been hampered by political considerations. The professionalism and spirit actually reminded me of visits to Norway where I spoke with our USN liaison on the pier who was patrolling waters north of Tromso with a PTG squadron, and what we see in the determination of Ukrainians as well. I hope the Japanese people will support this over the long haul and for the right reasons. With all that is going on in the world, like Russia in the very early 80's, China may consider taking a shot..
"The Japanese will be smart in this spending too." A possible comment re the defense capture of too many of our defense $ going to dubious programs? Shocked, just shocked.
Be careful what we wish for....
The lion's share of what I read on recent events––and developing trends––in China suggests that the CCP is feeling the window of "opportunity" closing much faster than most of our ostensible experts in the West believe. What's your take on likely courses of action from the CCP? If there is such a "window" and China ruler's perceive it is closing...are they likely to plunge into a series of moves much sooner than we anticipate or can effectively react to?
mostly true, though scandals do occur now and then. Big obstacle is insufficient strength in Self-Defense Forces (SDF): pay is poor so not enough people volunteer.
The Japanese will buy real warships, too, not little coffin ships that are 2/3 the size of a CLEVELAND, and armed with a 57mm gun that is optically aimed, and has only over the counter navigational radars.
What, no Decisive Battle Doctrine anymore? Laaaame
China fears and is intimidated by Japan. For all the bluster China worries they are just not as good as Japan. China spends 4 times as much on defence as Japan, but Japan has access to all of the best technology, is much less corrupt than China and doesn't have to match China capability for capability to deter China in that Japan has the advantage of geography. Next thing that has to happen is for Taiwan itself to get a lot more serious about its own defence.