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Ishiba vows military buildup, deeper ties with U.S. as regional tension rises
By MARI YAMAGUCHI TOKYO©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
103 Comments
Alongfortheride
A further waste of tax payers money. No wonder the population is dropping. Who would want to stay in Japan when their money is being used for this.
Falco1
This is when you have as PM the former defence minister from an utterly corrupted nepotistic party.
Our taxes are going to be wasted for these princes.
Fos
Go figure the US military-industrial complex is inciting geopolitical tensions through the constant hype of the "Russian menace and the "China threat”.
Wall Street is on all time high with the top 5 arms manufactures in the world, all Americans.
After Eastern Europe and the Middle East catastrophe, an embarrassment for the greed and lack of humanity, now we need to worry about the next shift to Asia at the expenses of the Japanese taxpayers.
Fighto!
Nope. Absolutely necessary in an incredibly dangerous era, with rabid Japan-hating, anti-democratic nations Russia, China and North Korea endlessly threatening their neighbours.
You.
dbsaiya
So Ishiba is going to follow in trump's footsteps.? Why would China want a war with the U.S.? It holds over $800 billion in U.S. debt and It's economy is weakening so there's no incentive for China to go to war with the U.S. Ishiba had better think and use those brains behind his shifty eyes or he could end up on the short end of the stick if he just blindly follows trump.
Fos
It is the US administration that is inciting a wide conflict with China, not the other way around.
It is the love of money of Wall Street investors, it is the nature of United States of America.
in the last 40 years US has repeatedly embarked on military interventions across the globe. And as it was pointed out early, in the course of the 20th century alone, Washington has participated in 39 armed conflicts, or one every three years, and since 2000 it has engaged in at least 12 wars, the equivalent of one every two years.
And here we have these lectures on the “concepts of Bullying" or "Threats"
リッチ
lol. Trump will hand Japan over to Korea or China in a heart beat and he already said he wouldn’t defend Asian countries. In fact I think he said he wouldn’t defend let them blow themselves up. Japan age is become to old and frankly more peace needs to be made within Asian countries. Japanese can’t treat everyone like they do these trainees in south east Asia.
Legrande
This is simply following the standard LDP playbook, i.e. Abe raising the military budget to record levels every year he was in office, Tanaka Kakuei accepting bribes from Lockheed, Abe's grandfather Kishi Nobusuke arranging things so Japan would buy US fighter planes, etc.
Tamarama
As a resident of Japan, I do not feel seriously threatened by China, or North Korea, or Russia at all actually.
IF, the US began indicating that it intended to reduce its military presence in Japan - lets say for the sake of an argument that it was given 25 years notice of intention to depart, then things would get lively. Real lively.
But the US has profited from war for a very long time and I can't forsee them leaving Japan for a long time.
Daijobu.
Fos
Perhaps without Washington warmongering, forcing other countries to increase their budgets and buy US weapons, Japan and China can start diplomacy talk, since they are neighbors.
Or shall Asia end up like Eastern Europe and the Middle East, following the US military-industrial complex?
Fos
Tamarama
Taiwan is the main example. $2 billion weapons sale last week:
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/oct/26/us-approves-2-billion-arms-sales-taiwan-including-/
Of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (who represent the great powers), only one has not fought a war in 40 years: China. In contrast to China, in the last three decades, America has fought a war or been involved in military actions every year.
isabelle
No need for "hype" when Russia is actively invading its neighbor, and China is actively occupying and militarizing territory that doesn't belong to it, and threatening and physically attacking other countries.
The threat is very obvious for all to see, despite the pro-CCP/Kremlin hordes constantly trying (and failing) to play it down.
It doesn't: it wants to steal as much as it can without triggering such a war. China, like the bully that it is, only picks on those less powerful.
Absolutely none of your post changes the fact that China is the biggest threat to Japan, and the region.
Peace is what Japan wants, and has pursued assiduously since the end of WWII.
Sadly, it has dangerous autocracies like China, North Korea, and Russia threatening it, so a strong military and US alliance are indispensable.
isabelle
As I've pointed out over and over again, China is involved in military/paramilitary action right now in the South China Sea, and Indian border (even with the recent preliminary agreement).
And again, whether the US has fought zero wars or a thousand wars, it doesn't change the fact that China is an unequivocal threat.
Only one is illegally occupying and militarizing the South China Sea and attacking ships there, invading the Indian border, and threatening to annex the peaceful country of Taiwan.
Mr Goodman
however Trump doesn't want deeper ties with Japan.
time for Japan to grow up and become more independent and modernized and stop dragging it's feet.
don't rely on American protection.
perhaps if foreigners are treated more respectfully the world would be more accepting of Japan.
Do your best
>
Mr Goodman
The Japanese people want peace yes true, but the government has superiority/ inferiority issues.
Japan was forced into pacifism after they surrendered their country due to their own actions.
OssanAmerica
The only reason that you, or anyone else in Japan, does not feel threatened is because of the firm US-Japan alliance.
Mr Goodman
Way over exaggerated!
If Japan tries to be boss of Asia then It will be put in it's place regardless of military spending.
It's a sitting duck.
Trump don't like Japan much
Fos
It is amusing to hear that "China is a military threat" because of some skirmishes with Filipino fishermen every now and then. That is actually the logic behind the multibillion orders of US made weapons in Japan. Or unverified “clashes between India and China on the border”, whereas it was extremely clear in Kazan, at the Brics meeting, that the relations between the two countries are calm and rational.
It is incredible how the general Western hysteria is trying to convince people, whose only interest is to leave in peace in this continent. They don’t need to be involved in the dangerous tensions brought up by the Washington administration who has to respond to the interests of the hedge funds in Wall Street.
One person said before and this is the will of the residents of Japan:
As a resident of Japan, I do not feel seriously threatened by China, or North Korea, or Russia at all actually.
Peter14
It is amusing to see some think they can convince people that China ISN'T a military threat given the military bases its built in other peoples territory, and then claimed that territory for China. Thats pretty much the definition of Threat.
Its also incredible that Chinese hype it like its some US or western conspiracy against them, when it all stems from their own actions.
At the end of the day Chinese actions betray their words of peace. Unparalleled military buildup by China, and intimidation in others territory as it lays claim to what does not and has never belonged to it. Magicians call it sleight of hand. They wave a hand around to get everyone's attention on it, while they use the other hand nobody is looking at to "do the trick". China wants everyone looking at the US so it can "do its tricks" unobserved. But we all see it.
China is a huge threat, Russia is a huge threat, North Korea is a huge threat, Israel is a huge threat and now Trump is a huge threat again.
OssanAmerica
The only country trying to be the boss of Asia is China.
All Americans as well as other Asian nations don't like China much.
BertieWooster
Ishiba is a good puppet. He delivers the speech his handlers tell him to. Militarily, China isn't a threat to anyone. Theirs is not a military war, it's an economic one. On that front China is winning.
Abe234
I suggest everyone start to build up, as one guy on the block wants to challenge the US and the global democratic principles. Well, there are a couple! But if we look at every empire, and a challenger has come up, it has ended in war, especially if the US starts to decline. China is watching how the US et al. handle the Ukraine/Russian war. if a deal is put in place to end the war and throw Ukraine under the bus. Xi might see the US as not willing to risk lives or a Carrier to protect an island that the world has agreed to. A one-China policy! The only thing is Xi's interpretation of ONE China is an Autocracy, dictatorship and communist, with the flavouring of capitalism. The US, (under Kissinger) thought that ONE China might become more liberal, democratic, and free. How wrong he was. Capitalism and communism together create a big army. Chinese navy 300 + ships. and the Air Force that's cranking out F35 copies. And never in world history have two nuclear powers clashed directly. So, I believe if China did take Taiwan. The US wouldn't go directly to war. They would have to fund an insurgency or if there is a naval blockade perform a larger version of a Berlin airlift and call China's bluff. The Chinese navy has 3 carriers a fourth on the way, and a few smaller carriers in the yard. and they have one job. To keep the Pacific fleet from interfering in an invasion. Our need for cheap junk has only built up China's military and they're learning so much about Europe and the US, and their tactics and weapons. IMHO, the days are numbered for Taiwan. Unless the US/NATO et al, put a carrier force around Taiwan.
isabelle
Japan has been peaceful for nearly 80 years, and that certainly isn't "forced."
Japan learned its lesson, and rightly abandoned military aggression. China should do likewise before things come to a head.
It's only "some skirmishes with Filipino fishermen" if you ignore all the other stuff that China does: claiming almost the entire South China Sea without merit; threatening the Senkakus, Taiwan, Vietnam, India, etc.; cyber-attacks; election interference; economic aggression; technology stealing; cutting undersea cables; aggressive rhetoric, etc. etc. etc.
People call China a threat because it clearly is.
You mean the "unverified" clashes that both governments have been negotiating on, and have released official statements on, for several years?
If China wants peace it should dismantle its illegal islands, stop ramming ships, stop buzzing aircraft, drop its threat to annex Taiwan, pursue its claims to land/maritime areas peacefully, and stop stealing things.
It should follow international law and all the treaties it has signed (WTO, UNCLOS, Sino-British Joint Declaration, etc.) rather than constantly breaking them.
Until it does so, it will rightly be treated as a threat.
Fos
Peter14
Is your consideration of the participants of this forum really so low? Or perhaps there are different reasons?
You narrated a series of events, and then you switched the narration in a surreal way, to represent China as the villain and US as the savior, just like the old Hollywood movies.
United States of America controls almost 800 military bases around the world, (yes 800, not 80, is not a typo), some of them encircle China, as opposed to 3 or 4 to China, globally.
The US spends 43% of global military spending, more than the next 26 countries combined, 25 of whom are allies.
How is Beijing a threat to the world?
It is clear that voters in the US have voted Trump for a “chance of peace” despite the nature of the guy, as opposed to the justification of the massacre in the Middle East, just to name one of the covert ongoing operations by Washington. Are we at least agreeing on that?
It is also comprehensible that Japanese voters don’t wont the conservative party to go wild with the military orders from US since there are more impending problems to solve. Is it so hard to comprehend?
Japan need to be seeking dialogue and diplomacy, not amassing weapons ready to have another conflict of huge scale, and I don't see this kind of talk from Washington.
Baradzed
Waste of money and human resources. Japan should just make a few dozens of nukes and live free of worries for the rest of the time.
Peter Neil
nationalism - as it rises, so rises the likelihood of conflict.
kings, politicians and dictators have been waving colored pieces of cloth for centuries to make jobs and businesses in the war industry. patriotism is the catch all for justifying anything.
the chinese military will destroy taiwan in the name of patriotism. russia will destroy ukraine in the name of patriotism. it just wanted the breadbasket of central asia for its own, but it wasn’t as easy as it thought it would be.
we’re a pathetic species that slaughters millions and millions of its own in a game of king of the hill.
Peter14
Re read my first post for details.
Since China is hostile, and is on its massive military buildup, and it covets Japanese territory, China is forcing Japan to "arm up" so that it can defend its territory from Chinese thievery. China isn't looking for diplomacy, its trying to push Japan out as its doing with the Philippines and others.
The US is not looking to take others territory or to annex territory from others like China is.
So cry me a river with your incorrect and false assertions on China, we can see its hostile actions, so its words are useless.
smithinjapan
Sigh... well, I guess instead of tax breaks for families and money towards education and lowering the costs of living, we get to pay even MORE of our taxes on defense spending.
Fos
Finally somebody who comes to his senses.
Honestly, getting lectures on China about territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, when the country who is supposed to be the moral guide, United States of America, is financing over $90 billions of weapons to Israel, to devastate Gaza and Lebanon, is embarrassing to say the least. Nearly 70% of Gaza war dead are women and children, UN said today, and we are “really” just making stuff with
economic aggression = what happen tp the chips restrictions imposed on China from Washington?
election interference = hundreds of coup and golpe around the world organized by US, have you ever heard?
Threatening the Senkakus, Taiwan, Vietnam, India
China did not occupy Senkakus, China is not invading Taiwan. China is talking to India (see Kazan meeting), Vietnam (?). US invaded Vietnam with the same made up lie, please see the story about the Tonkin accident. Not far from the narrative of Filipinos fishermen.
I remind you that the United Nation are talking about unprecedented levels of international law violations, raising concerns about "war crimes and other possible atrocity crimes”, and there is not a single day the Pentagon apparatus is not shipping lethal weapons and projectiles to wage war.
And yet we are talking about China shipping routes.
Fos
It is unreal having to discuss "the decency of Washington" or hearing these lectures on the “concepts of Bullying" or "Threats", when in 2023 the White House alone contributed 68% of Nato's total expenditure with $860 billion.
A reminder of the last 40 years, during which the United States has been involved in several significant military conflicts and wars.
Key conflicts include:
Gulf War (1990-1991) - A coalition operation to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation.
War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) - Initiated in response to the September 11 attacks.
Iraq War (2003-2011) - Aimed at toppling Saddam Hussein's regime, with a prolonged occupation afterward.
Interventions in Libya (2011) - Involved airstrikes during the civil unrest.
Ongoing operations against ISIS (2014-present) - Involves military action in Iraq and Syria.
In addition to these, there have been numerous smaller operations, interventions, and conflicts involving US forces around the world, including counter-terrorism operations and peacekeeping missions.
Overall, the U.S. has been engaged in multiple military conflicts over the past four decades.
How many wars China has fought in the last 40 years?
In the last 40 years, China has been involved in a few notable military conflicts, although it has not engaged in large-scale wars. As opposed to United States of America they have been limited in scale compared to traditional warfare.
Always a good insight to watch and a reminder of the true nature of the US administration, to keep away the warmongering attitude in Asia and avoid what we are seeing in Ukraine and Middle East:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wIOqHSsV9c
Mr Kipling
Yay..Full on vassal state status to continue.
diego
Ishiba will
lead us to the third war world for sure! instead of find peace they are building more miltitary arsenals,using our taxes against our will! I wish he step down and let a better man do the job
isabelle
Nothing to do with "morals;" everything to do with international law.
China has ratified UNCLOS and is bound by it: China is breaking the treaty daily. Same with the WTO rules, Sino-British Joint Declaration, and others.
Your constant attempts to deflect the blame for China's aggression onto the US won't work.
deanzaZZR
Ishiba will use the 6 months or however short amount of time he has as PM to spend, spend, spend on USA military weapons. Kickbacks will pad his nest egg quite well.
JJE
Always important to observe post-war constitutional Japan (which didn't join the UN until 1956) is a very much separate entity to the Empire of Japan.
Thus, as an independent nation, "under foreign occupation" (fact), it has no rights, six ways from Sunday, to claim any administrated territories claimed by the former. Particularly when a deal was made. These are the facts of the matter.
Aoi Azuuri
Japanese general public who facing poverty and even scapegoating social vulnerable, arms race policy only worsen present situation.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Glad to here. Long range anti-ship missiles will never be a bad choice. Also aircraft.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Always important to observe that post-1993 coup russia has no basis to call other country's history illegitimate. And a deal with Japan was not made.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Well a lack of weapons didn't save Ukraine.
TaiwanIsNotChina
4/5 100% legal. Anything else I can help you with?
JJE
The 1993 episode above mentioned was a constitutional crisis (not a coup, all internal with no outside seditious actors).
Comparing that with other more recent events just isn't accurate.
And the deal was made with and by the Allies.
TaiwanIsNotChina
It was even more violent than the peaceful Maidan revolution.
Naughty phone calls don't entitle russia to declare other countries illegitimate when its own government is always collapsing violently. 100% of countries recognize the Zelenskyy government.
But not with any government of Japan.
JJE
No one died in the "peaceful maiden". Nice one.
A fifty thousand rent-a-mob doesn't cancel out the legitimate electoral vote of others.
JJE
What are these "naughty phone calls"?
We were assured there were none.
JJE
Oh, the ones posted online between certain quarters.
Deals with Allies clearly didn't include the enemy.
TaiwanIsNotChina
I never said no one died. Many of the protestors died, unfortunately.
It does when the president lies about an important issue and is unable to maintain law and order.
I'm not an expert in russian leaks but let's assume the Nuland phone call is real. It contains nothing untoward except a closeness with the opposition. Nothing wrong with the US having preferences.
Yes, and that's what makes Potsdam illegitimate and why the adult countries returned all territory that was legitimately Japan's.
Tamarama
OssanAmerica
Hence my post.
But let's be real Ossan, the US are not in Japan purely from the goodness of their hearts, are they? You aren't that naïve.
As long as the US is still invested in pursuing influence, hegemony and excellent business in Asia, we are daijobu here in Japan.
TaiwanIsNotChina
No country just like no person doesn't act in their own self interest.
Only as long as the US troops are there as well to contain China/russia.
Tamarama
Fos
Stop talking such sense - the good people of JT clearly don't appreciate it.
Isabelle
Wow, really guzzling hard on the 'China is the Evil Empire' kool aid vat there Isabelle.
As Fos rightly points out, China, a country with a several thousand year history in the region as one of the most important political and cultural influences - aren't some pop up stall of a modern country, unlike some. This is a country that is inherently woven into the fabric of Asia, its history and politics, and have no recent form of aggressive, expansionist war whatsoever.
It's worth keeping in mind that Western countries, but most notably Britain, with the Unites States riding on their coat tails, militarily attacked China as far back as the 1840's (1st and 2nd Opium Wars) to force them into trade 'treaties' that allowed both countries to benefit spectacularly (and avoid prosecution) from trading Opium. Lot's of the wealthiest families in the US owe their fortune to this, by the way. Trading narcotics.
The US has been involved in meddling with Chinese politics ever since, or at least attempting to. Remember, the US armed and trained the Dictator Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang troops in the Chinese Civil war of the 1930-40s, who were defeated by the Communists and eventually fled to Taiwan - which has been a Chinese protectorate for 800 odd years. Incidentally, one of the primary motivations of the Communists in China was to free China from the insipid tentacles of exploitation by Western countries such as.....the US.
One of the few military conflicts Chinese troops were actually involved in incidentally, was whooping the a** of US troops who somehow ended up fighting in the very North of the Korean peninsula - right on the border of China. Wait, which soldiers were where???
Post WW2, the US ringed China with military bases, with the explicit purpose of containing China. If you don't know that, well...
If you reversed the scenario, that would include a situation where very heavily armed Chinese 'allies' occupy an island about the same distance as, say San Nicolas Island, from Los Angeles. Think about how that looks in reverse.
And yet this meta-narrative constructed in the West about China as the evil empire persists.
In my opinion, China shows remarkable restraint under these circumstances. There aren't many countries in the world that would do it as well. Yes they are big, yes they are influential, yes they seek to expand their State, just as others before and around them are constantly doing. There sure is precedent, right?
But painting China as a Villain is a very long bow to draw, historically speaking.
TaiwanIsNotChina
The PRC is only 75 years old. They even hide behind decisions of the ROC, they have so little to call their own.
Except for the whole Korean War thing. And the scuffles they lost with their neighbors.
And that was a great thing. We wouldn't have real Chinese democracy in Taiwan without it.
It was the US that came to the rescue of China in WW2. Also the US that refused to defend British colonies against independence movements.
Indeed, why was China fighting in Korea for no reason other proximity? And it was the US that turned back the communists twice. The last against the full horde itself.
Declare yourself opposed to the US and democracy in all things and we are going to have issues. All there with the permission of the host countries.
If San Nicolas was twice as far from the shore as it currently is and had 24 million people living on it, we'd probably have to acknowledge some changes there. Zero US troops on Taiwan atm.
Because you are still hell bent on crushing those 24 million people that are just trying to live their lives. Amongst other assaults on free countries in the region. Also turning a blind eye to russia's activities.
We're not in the 19th century anymore where you can just take what you want. China can show restraint by putting away all of the sabers.
Fos
It is admirable to see the sturdiness of some people, the lecturing on China’s activities in Asia, the continent where the country naturally belongs, unlike Washington’s. Here we have the supporters of the US administration who is financing a terrible conflict in the Middle East where nearly 70% of the 44,000 war dead are women and children (the UN says it, not China or Russia). And still they come and beg for more, trying to divert the attention to other battlefields they themselves are trying to flare up so badly.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Just because China is in Asia doesn't give it the right to bully every country there.
Fos
The definition of "bullying" and "threats" of China should go beyond the hearsay of some Filipino fishermen. We should get past that point. The conflict in Ukraine and Middle East should teach something to the diplomacy activity and the pacifist movements. At least for those people who have no connections with other businesses.
isabelle
No, just stating verifiable facts.
And absolutely nothing in your posts excuses China's current aggression. Pro-CCP posters always try to deflect the blame onto others (usually the US): it doesn't work.
Zaphod
With a Trump govnmt, deeper ties with the US actually now makes sense. It will be drill baby drill, and economic development instead of endless foreign wars.
Fos
Again, talking about ‘random accusations’, jumping from the conflict in Ukraine, where the battlefront is totally sponsored by US weapons, to the Middle East, with 90% Israel IDF ammunition’s shipped by US. Then we move to the China’s front, where, again, Washington has signed 4 separate weapons deals to Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, an amount of over $7 billions, in less than a month.
Suddenly we hear that China is a threat because is harassing local Filipinos fishermen. Accusation from the US administration whose history of fabricating lies is quite well know worldwide.
Just to stay in the area, the official reason why the Vietnam War started:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Tonkin_incident
Somebody really has to explain to me how this huge power of deterrence built up by Washington has helped to restrain these conflicts. Russia is all over Ukraine, and there is no sign of diplomacy. A terrible war has been raging for over a year in Gaza, and please don’t tell me it is about the Jewish State right of self-defence.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn5wel11pgdo
And now the big US military-industrial complex is trying to move to Asia for the next big stage.
It is indeed about ‘morals and lack of ethics’, when you look at the financial markets all time high, and I don’t need to tell you who is running the operations there.
There is nothing ethical about these decisions.
Peter14
With all the talk of conflicts past and present, intimidation, threats, coercion, it all supports an increased defense posture and ensuring Japan have enough equipment to defend its territory.
Diplomacy versus weapons and the weapons always win out. It is a sad fact, if someone bigger and stronger than you, wants what you control, and you wont just give it to them when they demand it, then they eventually resort to their weapons and take it. China demands what Japan has and controls with the Senkaku Islands. It is not trying to initiate talks and diplomacy, it is sending ships and planes in daily attempts to push Japan out. These are not the actions of a friendly nation, but of a hostile nation. Any words or statements to the contrary are simply proven false every time China sends more ships and planes, which is daily. Nothing they can say hides these facts.
So dont waste your time trying to cover up hostile activities with words blaming someone else, only China controls Chinese military assets, making China solely responsible.
Only cowardly reprehensible people do not have the courage to state their true intentions and aims to conquer territory and create a new empire. Certainly none of the posters here have yet shown the courage to speak the truth regarding Chinese intentions and activities. That kinda makes the point for me.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Filipino coast guardsmen have lost digits due to the Chinese and there is tons of video of China Coast Guard acting like pirates. We should get past denial and whataboutism.
Just nothing but Tu Quoque. There is nothing unethical about the US supporting allies of 80 years against Chinese aggression.
John-San
Mate Japans boots will disappear if they go any deeper.
Fos
Peter14
It’s is clear you are not doing a good job convincing about something that in reality does not exist: China never attacked Japan, it was the other way round if you read history books and not dispatches from the US military. America dropped two atomic bombs over Japan and spent the next 40 years challenging other nations with military coups and confrontations.
Once again diplomacy in Asia is totally kidnapped by the US military-industrial complex which incites geopolitical tensions through the constant hype of the "Russian menace and the "China threat”. Japan and his citizen don’t need this warmongering mastered by the alleged ‘threat’ narrative.
Nobody is keeping you in Asia. We have seen how it ended in Middle East.
The records at Wall Street is evidence of what we are saying: behind the growth of arms sales, the US has created or intensified conflicts and crises in different regions of the world, forcing other countries to increase their budgets and buy US weapons to better serve the interests of the military.
Fos
This is better than a comedy show: let’s start a full scale war in the continent to prevent the ‘alleged’ skirmishes on the South China Sea because the US administration and few cowboys say so.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Still 1% of gdp.
If China can't behave like an adult then conflict is inevitable. Better to draw the line now.
Fos
Just remember Americans are guests in Asia. Unlike in Israel. They don’t give orders or draw any line. This is getting better than a comedy show. What’s next :)
isabelle
Absolutely nothing to do with China's aggression. Tu quoque fallacy.
No-one is saying this. Straw man fallacy.
Fos
Then the all time high in Wall Street, when the top 5 weapons manufacturers in the world are American, must be a coincidence :)
That must be a mistaken belief but it’s a reality, isn’t it? Don’t create things that you cannot prove, when there are human lives at risk, and admits that you are behind something bigger than you
TaiwanIsNotChina
They absolutely drew a line in the Taiwan Strait the PRC does not cross.
The US doesn't need to sell weapons for the money. The fact the industry is 1% of gdp proves this. The next 5 weapons manufacturers are Chinese.
Fos
The US can sell weapons to Taiwan but they do not decide the destiny of Taiwan. Neither China, but that does not count for Wall Street investors because they can’t wait for the next conflict. Last time you said it was 3% of US GDP, now suddenly is decreasing despite the big involvement in Israel with the Middle East expedition and big orders in Asia. Go figure, Mr Powell :) And then you wonder way you are not credible
Peter14
FOS
Sadly your stuck in time, way in the past, while we are discussing whats happening right now. China the threat, China intimidating and militarily trying to force others to abandon their territory so China can control it. But by all means, go ahead and continue to live a fantasy and imagine your living 75 years ago.
I dont need to convince anyone, because Chinese actions do all the work. Your words mean nothing, because China's bullying actions show your words to be worthless and false.
deanzaZZR
Meanwhile the presidents of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Finland visited China this week on state visits. I understand this may come as a surprise to some based on the media choices one makes.
TaiwanIsNotChina
You're right: the Taiwanese people do. They are decidedly anti-Chinese:
https://esc.nccu.edu.tw/upload/44/doc/6961/People202406.jpg
I gave you the benefit of the doubt by saying it was 3%. Since your postings required me to look it up, now I post the accurate figure of 1%. Post us some more please so I can post it again.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Also no one is more credible than Jerome "Soft Landing" Powell right now.
Primusinter
Peter14,
The words, you wrote, in philosophy it's called bl sht or dog's nonsense. Not the point.
I understood only one thought: Japan is threatened by China and Russia. Would you mind listing how and they threaten, on what points 1), 2)....etc. You write this bs from message to message. Please diversify your material with facts at least sometimes.
Primusinter
Right now I'm listening Putin, his statements during the forum in Sochi a couple days ago. Hi asks:
1) What have we done wrong to Japan?
2)Why did Japan impose sanctions against us?
Two clear questions. Please give a clear, decent answers to Putin, the head of a grate country. Not to me, but to Putin.
Come on, Peter14
TaiwanIsNotChina
Russia refuses to turn over Japanese islands from WW2 that are the clear condition for peace. And China built the largest navy in the world without reason, threatens the sea lanes to Japan, and tries to take control of the Senkakus regularly.
4 islands and barbarism in Ukraine. Is this just feigned amnesia on Putin's part?
Well it is certainly the grate through which the runoff from China will flow.
Primusinter
We have lived with disputed islands for 80 years!!! This issue was under constant discussion.This is not the reason, but the pulling of the owl on the globe.
About barbarism, it is not Japan's business! Whataboutism: Where are the sanctions against US for barbarism in Iraq? And against Israel for the Palestinians. It means that barbarism doesn't interest Japan!
These are not the answers! especially with unproven barbarism. Your prop instructions are bad! You don't have any knowledge. Where is the notification of the Japanese state about the reasons for the sanctions? This is Taiwan's explanation.
Peter14 is not on duty today?
TaiwanIsNotChina
Putin and his minions have said they are not up for discussion so I guess peace is not up for discussion? Do you think Japan should just forget wrongs not compensated for?
Japan is at peace with Ukraine and Europe. Since russia wants to wipe Ukraine off of the map, it is very much Japan's business. Also free countries should stand together against the horde collective.
No threat of a loss of sovereignty there and Saddam Hussein was not exactly a man of peace.
Fewer people have died in the ME than in Ukraine.
No, the deaths and displacement of millions is pretty obvious.
Fos
C. Powell
These type of answers really exemplify the level of the morals of some of the participants in this forum, as to say “As long as we bring in profits, let it be”.
The level of knowledge on history facts and geopolitical factors is farcical, it all about create a new conflict (China is the main screenplay), because that is where the money will come from.
No questions being asked, no internal reasoning (who is dying in the Middle East, what kind of conflict is the one fought in Ukraine and what are the main causes).
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn5wel11pgdo
This is beyond any level the degree of hypocrisy and posturing I have ever seen
TaiwanIsNotChina
And yet no evidence is presented to the contrary. So sad. Many such cases.
Fos
C. Powell
Plenty of evidence to the contrary, United Nations say, not the US military dispatches you read.
It is plain English, after all:
Nearly 70% of Gaza war dead are women and children, UN says
That is why Donald Trump is taking over. It is going to be fun with this warmongering US sentiment suddenly resized. I can't wait :)
TaiwanIsNotChina
That's not a number dead and yes, I would expect the Gaza Hamas ministry to report only women and children dead.
You don't know what DJT will do anymore than I do. He still claims to be president of the United States and his family is still held accountable there.
Fos
Trump will bring back peace and stability. The Russians will dictate the rules on the diplomatic front to resolve the impasse
voiceofokinawa
As I had suspected, PM Iahiba, as a person, seems to behave strong before the weak but act meekly before the strong.
He has already rescinded to discuss to address the unequal SOFA agreement with the U.S. government.
Peter14
Primusinter
Failed to return Japanese territory taken after WWII.
Because Russia illegally invaded Ukraine. Sanctions imposed along with many other nations as a result. And Putin is wanted for war crimes. Does he have the courage to face these charges? Apparently not. This makes him a criminal not a great man or leader.
As for how is China a threat, you and the world are well aware of the long list of Chinese actions that make them a clear and present threat. I'm not going to continue to list them, if your truly interest, read through my many previous posts for your answers. They are all there.
Fos
Peter14
Found few previous posts and we cannot still see evidence of how these
In the course of the 20th century alone, Washington has participated in 39 armed conflicts, or one every three years, and since 2000 it has engaged in at least 12 wars, the equivalent of one every two years.
Key conflicts include:
Gulf War (1990-1991) - A coalition operation to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation.
War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) - Initiated in response to the September 11 attacks.
Iraq War (2003-2011) - Aimed at toppling Saddam Hussein's regime, with a prolonged occupation afterward.
Interventions in Libya (2011) - Involved airstrikes during the civil unrest.
Ongoing operations against ISIS (2014-present) - Involves military action in Iraq and Syria.
How many wars China has fought in the last 40 years?
China does not have a history of military aggression beyond the defence of its own borders.
The US has over 800 overseas bases including in Guam, Diego Garcia, ROK and Japan that ring China. The US fleet, with our support, regularly patrols off the China coast. The US would have hysterics if Chinese vessels patrolled off the Californian coast and the Florida Keys. Or if China had B-52 type aircraft based in Mexico!
And still day after day we get to hear "China is a “threat” for the continent".
Maybe I am missing something…
Primusinter
Peter14, Taiwan has already told off all this crap for you. In almost the same words. And I have already answered this nonsense. You don't have an answer! Remind us, where and when did Japan express its arguments to Russia on the imposed sanctions? Everything you have written is your fiction. You also forgot to remember the Russian-Japanese war. Read history, maybe you can scrape something else there.
On China's threats, Fos outlined everything very clearly and briefly. It's a pity that the moderators will delete it anyway. But... As we say, the dogs bark, and the caravan goes
Primusinter
Peter14,
If Putin asks these questions to the whole world and publicly, then he, the head of state, no matter how you insult him, he does not know why Japan imposed sanctions: Japan has never explained it anywhere. The sanctions were introduced quietly. And you and Taiwan are practicing explanations here. I repeat again, if you haven't read it: Russia and Japan have been discussing these unfortunate four islands for 80 years! 80, Carl!!! And suddenly Japan felt insulted, after 80 years, and imposed sanctions????? All of a sudden. It woke up in the morning and thought: should I impose sanctions??? The nonsense of a grey mare
TaiwanIsNotChina
And the American people will have to decide whether they like whatever plan Putin and Trump come up with.
TaiwanIsNotChina
4/5 legal wars. And setting the date to avoid China's last war against the UN does nothing to hide the bullying of China in 2024.
Fos
With regards to the hysterics of "China bullying", maybe you missed this bit of factual reality:
The US has over 800 overseas bases including in Guam, Diego Garcia, ROK and Japan that ring China. The US fleet, with our support, regularly patrols off the China coast. The US would have hysterics if Chinese vessels patrolled off the Californian coast and the Florida Keys. Or if China had B-52 type aircraft based in Mexico.
I smell McCarthyism here, and boy, it is 2024!
Peter14
Fos & Primusinter
Still unable to offer anything to excuse Chinese hostile actions. Still trying to point fingers at others in answer to Chinese aggression. Typical of those supporting Xi and his illegal maneuverings against a whole list of nations like, Japan, Bhutan, India, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia and Taiwan by Chinese maritime militia.
Building military bases in other nations territory.
Attacking and boarding ships of Philippines in Philippines territory, calling it Chinese territory.
It really is a long list, too much for one post. Suffice to say nothing you have said excuses China being so hostile and untrustworthy.
Not interested in your take on the history of others. This is about here and now and the fact China is a threat to the region and beyond. This is not about what you think America has has done in the past decades or hundreds of years.
Clearly you think China is run by nice people. I think its run by a cadre of old crone thugs who want to build an empire for history, by taking from others. Thats how Empires are built.
TaiwanIsNotChina
The US is within its rights to patrol the Taiwan Strait and China can come visit the US too if they want. The US doesn't do pirate actions directed towards individual ships.
Well you apparently smell a lot of things that aren't real.
Fos
Peter14
Not entirely sure what game you are playing.
Japan is clearly being led in a anti-Beijing hysteria by the United States which is not concerned that China will attack other countries, but is worried that its world hegemony is being challenged.
China has neither the intent nor the capability to attack Japan, and the US is a dangerous ally because of the above history of aggressions. China did not start any war with Japan. We cannot say the opposite.
Asia welcomes China because China is part of Asia, that would be the starting point of any conversation.
TaiwanIsNotChina
The US should be worried that China will attack Taiwan.
Asia fears China because they are no longer poor but also nowhere near being an adult country.
Peter14
Tension rising thanks to China. People should be asking themselves why is China raising tensions with all and sundry? Its already happened which is why not only Japan but a great many others are coordinating plans and actions with many nations to deal with China.
This is not a one off thing but a habitual pattern China has shown, to push others out of their own territories, and claiming them for China. Its happening and that fact is driving governments and leaders to oppose China and build their defenses. This is not just about China, but the other despotic leaders of Russia and North Korea as well. All wanting to redraw the laws and order to benefit themselves and their personal aspirations.
No point arguing with me or others, the article makes clear that Japan's PM see's the danger and feels the need to act. Perhaps you should be directing your questioning to Ishida.
Primusinter
Unconvincing, Peter14, like quicksand. The article also cannot make clear, because it is written as a manual for your team of "experts". The same vocabulary. Like, the more often you say "bullying China" and "despotic leaders", the more convincing it is. In short, let those who has eyes see, let those who has ears hear. There are no real facts in your narratives, just trivia.
You said Ishida? The same pawn. He could not pronounce who bombed Japan with atomic bombs. He did not dare to overshadow the sun-faced master with a shadow. He had already had that chance.
Fos
That’s a good one :) Probably you should substitute Asia with Usa. Exactly what we are seeing before: the big US military-industrial complex is worried that its world hegemony is being challenged, hence less profits for the main US weapons manufactures.
Quoting Filipinos fishermen is not enough to convince a whole continent to wage a was against a country the size of China.
It is pretty much the opposite. As much you trying to debunk reality, Japanese people voted off the Conservative party because they do not want dangerous hawks like Abe, they want to preserve the Pacifist constitution deal, and take care of more impending national issues, rather than buying billions of dollars of costly American military equipment.
Indonesia is totally fine with relations with China and expanding it the common agreements, Thailand and Malaysia not qualms. I have never heard of South Korea fishermen having clashes with Beijing, and India is talking to Beijing once again, in Kazan, despite you painting the relations as troublesome.
So, really, this story about the Filipinos skirmishes on the sea in insane to say the least.
Primusinter
I am now listening to those words of Putin about Japan. He also said that Japan had put Russia on the list of threats to Japan. Putin asks: How does Russia threaten Japan? Putin does not know when and what he threatened Japan with. Japan also did not express any actual claims about Russian threats. Well, Peter, tell us.
Primusinter
Once in Indonesia, being completely ignorant of local international politics, I asked the guide: who do you consider the enemy of your country. He replied: Japan, definitely. He briefly told the whole history of relations with Japan. This surprised me very much, since everyone there drives only Japanese cars. Not a single hostile word towards China or Russia.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Still 1% of GDP
The Japanese didn't express any preference about defense spending.
Yes, countries with clear sea borders or without sea borders with China have different issues with the PRC. Says nothing about the laughable nine dash line or the disgusting attempt to enforce it against the Philippines.
The severed thumb, damaged ships, and video of Chinese acting like pirates are not a lie. This is inconvenient for some but quite clear evidence of Chinese misbehavior.
Primusinter
Reading news in news tipe: Japan will keep an eye on trends in relations between Russia and the United States. This was stated by Yoshimasa Hayashi at a press conference in Tokyo commenting on a media report that Donald Trump allegedly held talks with Vladimir Putin. That is, he hasn't decided which stool to sit on yet. Why are Japanese leaders so humiliated and humiliating their country?
Fos
C. Powell
Few hours ago was 3% :) Still, not credible
Then we should wage a war to China. This is getting hilarious by the post :)
Fos
Primusinter
If you haven't watched it, I recommend to check this insight about the role of previous US administrations, which vilifies any accusations of the countries considered "bully" and "threats".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wIOqHSsV9c
I don't think it is necessarily a question of which country is good or has a bad reputation in Asia.
It is more about knowing where you come from and act accordingly.