.

Eh, more talk of change but will they really? The situation is a lot like Barrack Obama and Obama hasn't brought much change.

they have my vote, go on home USA.

Talk is cheap. Lets see it.

Hopefully they shut the base down in Okinawa. It has had such a negative impact on the island.

They still probably want a nominal US presence in Japan though.

hear hear. Don't like the US messing in Asia one bit, Smells like imperialism to me.

no way!

wow this is impressive news.

"More than 50,000 U.S. troops are stationed throughout Japan, which pays billions of dollars each year to support them. Okinawa is the U.S. military's key Pacific outpost, but many locals want the troops off the island."

now see i didnt know Japan PAID them for being there. thats garbage imo....

^
Probably cheaper than keeping their own military. Many theories on Japan's rapid development cite the benefits of low military costs.

I’m not a big fan of this move, since the re-militarization of Japan will worsen the tensions in East Asia. They need to try harder to alleviate the fears of its neighbors, then replace the US troops with the Japanese ones.

Japan has every right to remilitarize and they should.

i honestly dont understand the fears...

is there any basis to it besides world war II when they modernized ahead of other asian countries?

It’s always safer to assume the worst, when it comes to military capacities of neighbors.
Japan is a wealthy country with advanced technologies. If allowed to amend their constitution, they would have one of the most formidable military in Asia.

I’m not saying they should be forbidden to do so. It is within every nation’s sovereign right to protect its own territory. But re-militarizing without credible signaling of its benevolent interests and disinterestedness…would lead to consequences, especially from North Korea. Besides, Japan has a relatively recent history of imperialistic ambitions – and the conducts of the LDP seem to suggest they still adhere to those aspirations.

True. It seems like the US is taking advantage of Japan and almost using it like a "sugar daddy". Japanese people are pushovers, just consider hiroshima and internment camps. If someone used my country as a nuclear testing ground I wouldn't forgive them.

The Japanese have been paying out on whatever the U.S. asked us to for decades. All under the umbrella of allies.
I don't think we should be so close to U.S. agenda as to have no international agenda of our own. The OP's article says it all. Given all the times the U.S. has changed Administrations, how could Japan be in lock-step with each one of them? No more.

IMO, I think Japans agenda should be to strike up better relations with China, Korea and the rest of Asia as well.

Why would they say NO? Do they no longer live under the mercy of the US of A?

Agreed



Agreed.

Japan needs to kick the US out of the country and refuse to pay for the ridiculous American bases. Better relationships with the rest of asia would be a start (and absolutely needed, now that the center of power is shifting to Asia). It's time for Japan to get some backbone. Re-militarization might be risky for now though. Might be better to just stick with the SDF front.

If they were really smart that's what they should do.

Really.

Imo WWII and the Korean War haven't really ended in East Asia. A Pan-Asian consciousness doesn't seem to exist. In any event America needs to worry about internal strife, and reduce its involvement with E. Asia.

The parallels between European and East Asian history have always fascinated me. There are so many similarities, if one really cares to look, in their respective developments. Yet, with the modern age, I draw a line.

The Imjin War was East Asia's version of an intracivilizational civil war, and it did come to a decisive end. The "World Wars" were ultimately the spillover of the European civil war to Asia. Japan, by that point, was really acting the part of an European colonial power playing the Great Game, as opposed to an East Asian power looking to inherit the Mandate of Heaven.

This would also explain why a Pan-Asian consciousness is not in the making. Asian countries are increasingly moving away from the common root (Chinese or, if you prefer, Eastern civilization) that historically defined them. This is also why you see the resurgence of alternate national narratives - ie "Altaic unity," "Turan," etc.

Unlike Europe, which has accepted and internalized its collective Western identity, East Asian countries are engaged in the destruction of their own version of the same, largely because it has, in their eyes, failed them. Thus, you get movements like the Cultural Revolution in China, Datsu-A Ron in Japan, mass Christian conversion in South Korea, and so on. The basic motif of all these movements is the same: East Asia must cease to be East Asia, as it was for thousands of years, in order to join the West in the modern world.

At some level, this is an act of self-delusion. East Asians are not Westerners and cannot be. Aristotle can never take the place of Confucius. The Roman Empire can never mean as much to East Asians as Han and Tang China. The Vikings can never be the Mongols. Barring the final victory of the West - in which its civilization truly becomes an universal civilization that is everything to everyone, East Asia cannot become a part of the West - because there is nothing "East Asian" about Western history, civilization, or even values. They will always be the odd kids standing by the door, looking in but unable to enter.

What the future of East Asia will be, I do not know, but it does not seem likely that an East Asian equivalent of the European Union - and its attendant creation of a Pan-European identity - will appear. In fact, if the East Asians on this board are of any indication, the future of East Asia will be full of conflict and fragmentation.

Wow. There is nothing in your post with which I disagree. If I were to guess I'd bet that you already hold a doctorate. And you must be teaching here in America.

While E. Asia has issues which remain unresolved, the world moves on. A new age is born as America retreats from Pax Americana. We're in for a wild ride.

Nice analysis. So what do you think Japan will or should do as a country?

Japan is not ready to say NO to USA.

The opposition might not win, and even if they do, I dont think they can get rid and rinse the old mentality of the LDP and bureaucrats.

I also find it very suspicious that the previous leader, Ozawa, was hit by a scandal, it reminds me of a hit job.

So I dont think Japan will say no to USA anytime soon.

1. internal factors
2. external factors

Nice write up. One question.

What's the real difference between the Mandate of Heaven and Japanese Imperialism? Many people supported the Japanese Empire and worst comes to worst their were people ready to switch sides and become leaders of these puppet regimes. Is that not what happens when someone achieves the Mandate?

Then why are Iran and North Korea denied the same right ???

North Korea and Iran already HAVE armies of their own, you don't make any sense.

The Mandate of Heaven represents a particular mode of imperial thinking. European imperialism, a different mode of imperial thinking. The former requires maintaining the Confucian world-order - playing by the rules of its culture and civilization - which the Manchus, and all other conquerors of China, did. The latter has to do with economic exploitation, Westphalian nation-building, and the "white man's burden" (in this case, it becomes "the Japanese man's burden") to "civilize" the rest of the world in the Western sense. If Japan had been victorious in World War II, it is doubtful that the Confucian world order would have been maintained. More likely, a synthetic faux-European imperial order would've been erected, combining the eccentricities of Japanese ultra-nationalist thinking with the European base upon which it was built.



I am not in a position to say, but if I had to, I'd say that it is time to sit down and think. Not just about the economy, or politics, or foreign relations, but about the institutions, ideas, and principles that drive society. Out of all the East Asian nations, Japan is probably in the best position to begin thinking about itself and its future in a philosophical sense. Self-examination is typically the first step towards self-improvement, for it is difficult for a society to move forward without having a definite notion of what it is and wants to be.



Agreed.

^
I agree with every one of your points.

If I may add, imperialism embodied the “victor’s justice” and was based on hard power; the powerful nation was able to use coercion to frame and enforce their own source of legitimacy (ex - white man’s burden). Also, the Westphalian state was ultimately a contractual agreement among the sovereigns – where they cumulatively agreed to respect each other’s territorial and sovereign integrity.
The Mandate of Heaven was more transcendental, utilizing soft power. The rulers were required to administer the state according to the Proper Way prescribed by the Heaven, and the people were empowered to overthrow the regime if this was not followed. The Way could not be altered by any individual or sovereign, though it could be manipulated to a certain extent. Normative influences are harder to weed out once it is firmly rooted in the psyche of the people. This could explain why the conquerors had to adapt to the Chinese notion of Mandate of Heaven instead of devising their own political source of legitimacy.

Your previous post on East Asian self-delusion is flawlessly stated. But I think you overlooked one major factor in the possibility (or impossibility) of pan-Asianism, vis-à-vis the European example. the regional power structure. In the current unipolar system, it makes sense for weaker entities to team up to match the political and economic clout of the US. In Europe, this is a rational choice for the individual nations, since they are relatively equal in power, and have an equal voice in the administration of this supranational entity. In contrast, Asia has China as the undisputed hegemonic power. Any collaboration would thus take the form of one hegemon overruling the interests of the lesser powers. This explains why China is so enthusiastic about pan-Asian movements while the Koreans and Japanese are more hesitant, if not outright hostile to the idea. In this structural environment, the more immediate concern for the secondary regional powers is the regional hegemon – thus their alliance with an outside power (US) to balance against China. Maybe things would change if China were somehow to be divided into weaker states, but I don't see that happening.

ya, If he win, he might get assassinated
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4KROpdUkrM

I think that Japan would do good to separate from the USA. Just look at France. If it weren't for their Muslim problem, France would be doing very well as a nation. They are not part of ECHELON and have resisted American and British imperialism consistently, and as such have maintained their integrity better than most nations, even given what happened to them in ww2 (which could have easily spelled the end of their nation for good as what unfortunately happened to Germany after both world wars until fairly recently, all things considered).

Even if Japan can derive certain benefits, they shouldn't want them. They must grow on their own, as every country should IMHO.

LOL. do some research.

I agree, no more american rapist and female abusers army in Japan!

Japan has been beloved by all Asian countries for long. Excepting China and Korea. They are only the two in the world who never stop yelling to U.S. about what Japan did to them with their fake historical evidences. Actually, Japan was the solitary guardian of the entire Asia at WWII. Japan helped for Indonesia in 1941 the Indonesian finally free from the 350 years long invasion in 1945, not only that but Japanese also help Indonesian to defend freedom from netherland 2nd invasion and the allied force [ england and portugese ] invasion. Everybody know that. Chinese and Korean should learn the real history and they should give up holding their childish behaviour. There is an inconsistency that even though they prefer to buy Japanese cars, they never stop manufacturing their rubbish cars only for their infantile pride. Those '2' obstacles should be under control before. Then re-militarization could come true.

I really hope Japan kicks the US out, and starts building up their own army and military technology. I want to see fricking GUNDAMS before I die.

And, Hafiz seems to be ignoring the fact that the leaders of both of those two countries have openly threatened to attack other nations, which Japan has not for more than 50 years.

Oh please do not suggest that Japan or any other nation to stoop to be compared to the French. Their government is best known for ignoring debts, breaking alliances, and generally being uncooperative and aloof from neighboring countries. And don't forget their shameful history in SE Asia.
It has not been a country to admire since before the 20th century .... unless you are really into fashion. This is not an image to emulate.

Though I am American and raised in the military with friends stationed in Okinawa, I have to agree that the arrangement is not in Japan's best interest militarily.

However, Japan seems to be doing well not suffering under the crippling debt of national defense spending that has done so much damage in other large nations. Military debt has managed to undermine not only the U.S., but every major power of the past two centuries. Probably throughout history, but I haven't done the research to confirm that.

I think they should have the right to its own military restored, but I am not convinced that it should act upon that right to any major extent.

if there are thousands upon thousands of accounts occuring in 2 different Asian countries, both telling the same "stories", then there's obviously truth to it whether there be some exaggeration or not. It is a historical fact that these war crimes did occur and has been verified by western sources as well as accounts of certain Western individuals being present at the time of these events. One well known figure being John Rabe who is famous for helping the Chinese civilians from the Japanese soldiers and had a diary of detailed events. You saying these historical events didn't happen puts you in the same mold as those Nazi sympathizers who say the holocaust didn't happen. I myself don't necessarily hate the Japanese, i hate their past and imperial govt at the time. I really don't care if you're some Japanese asskisser who jerks off to hentai watch a ton of anime and try to squeeze in japanese words into your daily conversation, but you should keep your mouth shut on matters you know nothing about and you are totally desecrating the memory of the lives lost and their surviving family members

This thread is a joke and BurdenOfAges is the King. He has all of you giving him a blow. hahaha

I agree. I think the United States should withdraw their all their troops from foreign nations and dissolve all their alliances.

We spend to much money playing international policeman. These foreign entanglements are getting too complicated and no matter what happens, we end up being the assholes. Trade with all, alliance with none I say. Let the world hang itself.

I think it will be on 30 August.

You make one of the biggest and most common errors that many western observers make on Asia. That is, you confuse the Asian will to industrialize with the intent of Asians to want to become Western. The break with the past has less to do with Asians wanting to be culturally western than to emulate the success of the western economy. Asians want the ECONOMIC SUCCESS of the west, not to become the west. If Japan really did want to become western culturally, it would have opened its borders to immigration and revamped its education to be taught exclusively in English. If Japan really wanted to become western, there would not be signs in bars and hot spring hotels saying "Japanese Only". If China wanted to become western, it would not limit foreign movies to be shown to 20 per year. If Korean wanted to be western, there would not be restrictions on foreign (western) entertainment on TV broadcasts.

Today, if you tried to force them to become western culturally, the surge of nationalism would rise up and drown any Asian leader who dares to try. In fact, this nationalism leads us to why a Pan Asian consciousness is still a tough sell at the moment. The surge of nationalism, rooted mostly in old WW2 wounds, are there in all 3 east asian countries, preventing them from establishing close ties. However, even as the economic reality of the big 3 force them to be closer together than ever, the WW2 wounds are going to fade into oblivion. We're already seeing signs of a nascent Pan-Asian forum in ASEAN+3 summits over the past 2 years. Over time, as China develops economically and the regional powers increasingly coalescing into a single economic entity, Pan-Asian consciousness is less a theory than a foregone conclusion. It will take time, but that time is shorter than you think, even as American influence wanes in the region.

Third point, the European Union is not as culturally united as you think under the moniker of the "West". The EU is more of a economic union of expedience and a fragile political union at best. As it tries to absorb more and more nations under its belt (Turkey, for example, a muslim nation). It will also absorb more and more divergent interests. All is well in the EU when the economy's well, but if it ever comes down to the point where debt overwhelms the euro, I'd be surprised to see the EU survive intact. As I said, the waves of change are just starting to form, and the next couple of decades will see a drastic power shift from West to East.

You make an excellent point. Asians do not want to become the west, we want to be rich like the west.

too rich can make you lazy, complacent and decadent.

+111

Odd you would place the blame on Japan instead of China, who's blunders nearly destroyed Asia. China had been following the Western Rule of Law decades before the Japanese. The saying "Beat them at their own Game" fits perfectly here. Japan played the Great Game in order to successfully combat the West's desires. How in the World could Japan inherit the "Mandate of Heaven" during this period of time and especially when they never held the Mandate in the past? The West would not have it and neither would the Chinese. The answer was in the "Twenty-One Demands". To legally become protectorate over China.

Lets not create conflict between China and Japan.

The new Japanese government clearly expressed its wish to make closer ties with China. And the Chinese government has been receptive to this Idea.

Lets not fight.

Japan should build a relationship with Vietnam and Laos since both country love the japanese people so much. I hope Japan open its door wider to its friends and allies in SouthEast Asian mainland.

Although the primary focus is on China, this re-alignment also focuses on South East Asia.