TBF to the Land of Convicts and Prison Guards, they have to put all their energy into suppressing their rogue province, New Zealand. Because if they fail, humanity will be crushed under the claws of Kiwi-toting Emus.
Great and timely post! Japan is the natural bulwark against ChiCom expansion - we should continue to develop closer ties based on mutual security interests. In my training with the JSDF, I found them to be a very professional and capable force. Very interesting background on the new PM. Thanks for sending this!
Impressive - this photo has been going around a group of buds with whom I indulge in the arcane art of model building. While we are undoubtedly a quirky bunch, the one thing we share is a strong appreciation for military history and its salient lessons. Think I've got same Hiryu kit back at in the stash at Casa De Scoobs, one of my (many) souvenirs from my FDNF tour ;-)
He might just be the right man in the right place at the right time...
You know you've reached a certain point in model building when you spend as much time researching colors and markings as you do selecting a kit. As for the display problem, I advocate: "Wouldn't it be nice to have another couple shelves in this room?"
I painted the F-15 according to the listed colors and finished and was like “nope”. Frustrated as heck until I hunted around on the floor and found the negative mask parts I’d cut out the day prior. A little silly putty and we are cooking with gas again.
CDR, I couldn't agree with you more about 80 years being enough. Having served in Asia, the Middle East and Europe I would say, however, that many of the people who live in those regions see 80 years as a drop in the bucket of time. The idea of Japan as a military power is not going to go over well in many parts of Asia because the atrocities committed by Japan have not been forgotten and the ally of my ally is not necessarily my ally.
Thank you for that thought. The history angle will be tough to overcome. However, it feels like Germany has been successful in doing so, so why not Japan? I see the need for Japan to make economic and social/cultural inroads with other countries of the region, which is hard to do without appearing to be dominant in the relationship. We need all the strong friends we can get - friends, not lapdogs.
To the question of "it feels like Germany has been successful in doing so, so why not Japan?", a couple of obvious differences:
1) Germany does not have _anything_ like the history of post-war fudging re responsibility that Japan does. Germany has, if you will pardon the expression, significantly "manned up" re the Holocaust in particular. Compare Yasukuni Shrine, for example.
2) Germany has made a point of playing very well with others, mostly underplaying their economic strength, in multilateral institutions - both the EU and its predecessors like the EEC and also NATO.
3) Specifically in the case of (South) Korea, there is still quite a lot of dislike for Japan's colonial past vis a vis Korea. Again the fact that Japan both government and society have been rather reticent to own much responsibility there does not help. I think this last will be a declining problem as Korea becomes more self confident - the high level of both technical/industrial and cultural export success (K-pop anyone? Not *my* thing but obviously it is a lot of peoples' thing) will make Korea-Japan relationship psychologically easier.
He reads like a traditional conservative: loves his country, isn't crazy about having to overly-accommodate defense partners in Japan, wants to maintain a robust national defense, continues to recognize the threat, wants to maintain it's alliances with its current allies.
Can't say Japan hasn't made the investments unlike a number of our European allies.
Hey, we should like this guy and his goals. But, surprisingly the cold, jaundiced eye of our unusually prescient host isn't contrasting Mr. Ishiba's ambitious goals with the reality that they're also missing their recruiting goals by as much as 50%.
Their problems are mainly demographic; Japan's fertility rate has been below replacement rate since the 1970s, and their population has been shrinking since 2010. For the next several years, they're only going to have about 500,000 males turn 18 a year, and that number is only going to shrink.
Looking at the 18-30 male totals on the population pyramid 2024 vs 1935, the totals are almost exact. The male population between 31 and 65 is more than double that of 1935. The number of births in 1935 is more than twice that of 2024. The difference being that almost every single birth today can be expected to make it to adulthood. The difference is the cultural expectations of today vs. 1935. The Emperor's Japan was industrial, militaristic, and expansionist. Today it is financial, protective, and hedonistic.
The warrior ethos is far from nonexistant but it has been severely tamped down. The crime rate has pretty consistently fallen since the end of WW2 until it now vies for the lowest in the world on a annual basis. (Yes, looking at the trend line it was pretty flat in the 80's & 90's and spike in the 2000's).
If cultural attitude precedes genetic selection, the Japanese people are well on their way to becoming homo domesticus in about 95 more generations.
Germany? That evil bitch von der Leyen ruined the German armed forces, even as Germany, itself, has changed, such that one doubts Germany ever can be a significant military power again.
"Walled towns, stored arsenals and armories, goodly races of horse, chariots of war, elephants, ordnance, artillery, and the like; all this is but a sheep in a lion's skin, except the breed and disposition of the people, be stout and warlike." --Francis Bacon
And the Germans are now neither stout nor warlike.
Merkel is the top-bitch who took the SPD down the wrong-path...despite belonging to the same party as Kohl, her actions were more aligned with Schroeder.
Time has come to end the left over from WW 2 garrisons, four to eight year administrations friendly to Japan's enemies and enemies to Japan cannot be trusted.
Governments don't have "friends," they have interests.
Japan's interest since WWII has been to go along with US dominance and protection while suffering the minor indignities and loss of face that entails. Pacifism was a good cover.
The US could easily carry the burdens (since the Korean War) without much from Japan except obedience and basing rights.
Now, it is time for Japan to help face China's aggression as a contributing partner with the US.
On my first day in Seoul in 2014 I was shocked by the anti-Japanese video on the subway from Incheon. I think the government stirs the pot on this for internal political reasons and not so much for grander geostrategy.
The Philippines seems easy going re their WWII occupation. Their leaders at the time just tried to keep a low profile until McArthur returned. Today, the two countries (and peoples) seem to get along well and Japan has sprinkled a lot of money to buy themselves some love there.
The Filipinos are not happy with the Chinese tourists and business penetration and the crime that has come with them.
I agree except for the idea of reducing overseas basing and homeporting further.
Overseas basing and homeporting is more important for the US military as an institution than for the defense of the countries garrisoned, with the exception of Korea. Bases in Japan, Germany, Italy, Spain and Korea etc serve two purposes for military personnel matters:
1. They are a recruiting and retention tool. People who might otherwise might not have joined the military do so for the opportunity to live in another country.
2. For those who might not have wanted to live in another country, assignment to another country exposes them to the world in a peaceful setting and can give them a new perspective.
Assignment selection assemblies for the Naval Academy and West Point are now shown on YouTube. It's interesting to see how the top ranked grads for Infantry, Armor, Artillery Branch etc and Surface Warfare almost unanimously pick overseas assignments over domestic bases and homeports. Look them up.
Sounds like a member of The Porch!
TBF to the Land of Convicts and Prison Guards, they have to put all their energy into suppressing their rogue province, New Zealand. Because if they fail, humanity will be crushed under the claws of Kiwi-toting Emus.
KEEP YOUR PIMP HAND STRONG, AUSTRALIA!
Great and timely post! Japan is the natural bulwark against ChiCom expansion - we should continue to develop closer ties based on mutual security interests. In my training with the JSDF, I found them to be a very professional and capable force. Very interesting background on the new PM. Thanks for sending this!
Impressive - this photo has been going around a group of buds with whom I indulge in the arcane art of model building. While we are undoubtedly a quirky bunch, the one thing we share is a strong appreciation for military history and its salient lessons. Think I've got same Hiryu kit back at in the stash at Casa De Scoobs, one of my (many) souvenirs from my FDNF tour ;-)
He might just be the right man in the right place at the right time...
I loved the photo. I am genuinely excited to see Japan take her mantle for the Pacific.
I build as well and the struggle of display is real. “I have this ship model. Where shall I display it, lovely wife?”
I’ve hidden tanks in winter camo among Christmas scenes.
“Model PM”. Duh. I missed the link.
Me too! No hair on my knuckles :)
You know you've reached a certain point in model building when you spend as much time researching colors and markings as you do selecting a kit. As for the display problem, I advocate: "Wouldn't it be nice to have another couple shelves in this room?"
I painted the F-15 according to the listed colors and finished and was like “nope”. Frustrated as heck until I hunted around on the floor and found the negative mask parts I’d cut out the day prior. A little silly putty and we are cooking with gas again.
For Christmas, my wife gave me four sets of wall mounted bookshelves. "Go ahaead. Put them where ever you like. <3
CDR, I couldn't agree with you more about 80 years being enough. Having served in Asia, the Middle East and Europe I would say, however, that many of the people who live in those regions see 80 years as a drop in the bucket of time. The idea of Japan as a military power is not going to go over well in many parts of Asia because the atrocities committed by Japan have not been forgotten and the ally of my ally is not necessarily my ally.
Thank you for that thought. The history angle will be tough to overcome. However, it feels like Germany has been successful in doing so, so why not Japan? I see the need for Japan to make economic and social/cultural inroads with other countries of the region, which is hard to do without appearing to be dominant in the relationship. We need all the strong friends we can get - friends, not lapdogs.
I agree with CDR Axolotl :) and Pete.
To the question of "it feels like Germany has been successful in doing so, so why not Japan?", a couple of obvious differences:
1) Germany does not have _anything_ like the history of post-war fudging re responsibility that Japan does. Germany has, if you will pardon the expression, significantly "manned up" re the Holocaust in particular. Compare Yasukuni Shrine, for example.
2) Germany has made a point of playing very well with others, mostly underplaying their economic strength, in multilateral institutions - both the EU and its predecessors like the EEC and also NATO.
3) Specifically in the case of (South) Korea, there is still quite a lot of dislike for Japan's colonial past vis a vis Korea. Again the fact that Japan both government and society have been rather reticent to own much responsibility there does not help. I think this last will be a declining problem as Korea becomes more self confident - the high level of both technical/industrial and cultural export success (K-pop anyone? Not *my* thing but obviously it is a lot of peoples' thing) will make Korea-Japan relationship psychologically easier.
He reads like a traditional conservative: loves his country, isn't crazy about having to overly-accommodate defense partners in Japan, wants to maintain a robust national defense, continues to recognize the threat, wants to maintain it's alliances with its current allies.
Can't say Japan hasn't made the investments unlike a number of our European allies.
The Land of the Rising Sun is a crucial ally in our defense of the free world.
Hey, we should like this guy and his goals. But, surprisingly the cold, jaundiced eye of our unusually prescient host isn't contrasting Mr. Ishiba's ambitious goals with the reality that they're also missing their recruiting goals by as much as 50%.
Color me skeptical.
Their problems are mainly demographic; Japan's fertility rate has been below replacement rate since the 1970s, and their population has been shrinking since 2010. For the next several years, they're only going to have about 500,000 males turn 18 a year, and that number is only going to shrink.
I'd take it with a grain of salt, but I saw a claim of Japan going several weeks without a single baby being born there.
Looking at the 18-30 male totals on the population pyramid 2024 vs 1935, the totals are almost exact. The male population between 31 and 65 is more than double that of 1935. The number of births in 1935 is more than twice that of 2024. The difference being that almost every single birth today can be expected to make it to adulthood. The difference is the cultural expectations of today vs. 1935. The Emperor's Japan was industrial, militaristic, and expansionist. Today it is financial, protective, and hedonistic.
Demographic aside, it appears the available pool is uninterested as well.
The warrior ethos is far from nonexistant but it has been severely tamped down. The crime rate has pretty consistently fallen since the end of WW2 until it now vies for the lowest in the world on a annual basis. (Yes, looking at the trend line it was pretty flat in the 80's & 90's and spike in the 2000's).
If cultural attitude precedes genetic selection, the Japanese people are well on their way to becoming homo domesticus in about 95 more generations.
Absolutely agree with your assessment. Ishiba goals are insightful, strong and determined to change the status quo for the better.
Japan? Sure.
Germany? That evil bitch von der Leyen ruined the German armed forces, even as Germany, itself, has changed, such that one doubts Germany ever can be a significant military power again.
"Walled towns, stored arsenals and armories, goodly races of horse, chariots of war, elephants, ordnance, artillery, and the like; all this is but a sheep in a lion's skin, except the breed and disposition of the people, be stout and warlike." --Francis Bacon
And the Germans are now neither stout nor warlike.
Tom: von der Leyen is a piece of work. Don't forget Merkel. She opened the gates to the invasion of Germany.
Merkel is the top-bitch who took the SPD down the wrong-path...despite belonging to the same party as Kohl, her actions were more aligned with Schroeder.
They are re-importing their warlike, aggressive genetics. Those just won't be attached to the blaue Augen and blondes Haar alleles.
And will likewise have zero attachment to Germany.
Time has come to end the left over from WW 2 garrisons, four to eight year administrations friendly to Japan's enemies and enemies to Japan cannot be trusted.
Japan can best do what is in Japan's interest.
Governments don't have "friends," they have interests.
Japan's interest since WWII has been to go along with US dominance and protection while suffering the minor indignities and loss of face that entails. Pacifism was a good cover.
The US could easily carry the burdens (since the Korean War) without much from Japan except obedience and basing rights.
Now, it is time for Japan to help face China's aggression as a contributing partner with the US.
On my first day in Seoul in 2014 I was shocked by the anti-Japanese video on the subway from Incheon. I think the government stirs the pot on this for internal political reasons and not so much for grander geostrategy.
The Philippines seems easy going re their WWII occupation. Their leaders at the time just tried to keep a low profile until McArthur returned. Today, the two countries (and peoples) seem to get along well and Japan has sprinkled a lot of money to buy themselves some love there.
The Filipinos are not happy with the Chinese tourists and business penetration and the crime that has come with them.
Japan is much feared in that part of the world, due to the occupations and atrocities of the 1930s and WWII.
I see what you did there Phib.
I agree except for the idea of reducing overseas basing and homeporting further.
Overseas basing and homeporting is more important for the US military as an institution than for the defense of the countries garrisoned, with the exception of Korea. Bases in Japan, Germany, Italy, Spain and Korea etc serve two purposes for military personnel matters:
1. They are a recruiting and retention tool. People who might otherwise might not have joined the military do so for the opportunity to live in another country.
2. For those who might not have wanted to live in another country, assignment to another country exposes them to the world in a peaceful setting and can give them a new perspective.
Assignment selection assemblies for the Naval Academy and West Point are now shown on YouTube. It's interesting to see how the top ranked grads for Infantry, Armor, Artillery Branch etc and Surface Warfare almost unanimously pick overseas assignments over domestic bases and homeports. Look them up.
you are not garrisoning germany and japan despite their being fully functioning modern democracies
you are garrisoning them BECAUSE they are
it's a plum assignment and no one in the pentagon is going to give that up
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