Let's talk about Japan building it's military base.... - Belle of the Ranch

[TexasTowelie]

Well, howdy there Internet people. It's Belle again. So, today we're going to talk about Japan changing its arms rules and signaling a changing world.

In the post World War II era, Japan has maintained a pacifist posture when it comes to foreign policy. It has heavily relied on economic power and an alliance with the US for deterrence. As the US becomes weaker and weaker under an increasingly erratic, unpredictable, and moody president, Japan is having to rethink the posture it's had for decades.

One of the biggest changes is the scrapping of a ban on the export of lethal weapons. The change will allow Japan to export missiles, warships, fighter planes, and so on to other countries. The Japanese Prime Minister said, "No single country can now protect its own peace and security alone, and partner countries that support each other in terms of defense equipment are necessary."

And the Chief Cabinet Secretary said the policy change was to “ensure safety for Japan and further contribute to peace and stability in the region and international society as the security environment around our country rapidly changes. The government will strategically promote defense equipment transfer to create a security environment that is desirable for Japan and to build up the industrial base that can support fighting resilience.”

They're saying everything except why. No single country can stand on its own. Partner countries must support each other. They need to ensure safety for Japan. They need to build up an industrial base that can support fighting resilience.

The subtext is simple. The rules-based order is over. The United States is no longer strong enough or reliable enough to offer the same kind of protection it has for decades. So, they need to provide for themselves. They need to build a defense industry. The easiest way to do that without going into massive amounts of debt is to allow the export of weapon systems so the profits from those exports can fund the expansion of the industrial base.

Much like Europe, allies in Asia are looking to build their own capabilities so they don't have to rely on an increasingly unreliable US defense structure. This break isn't as public as the one with Europe. There's no angry words or social media posts, but it's just as real.

The fact that there isn't a lot of anger suggests that the world is just coming to terms with a weakened United States. I would suggest that the lack of outrage, surprise, and think pieces is an even worse sign. It means the world just expects it.

I don't think any rational person can blame Japan for wanting to expand their industrial base to be able to protect themselves in the event that an overemotional US president refuses to honor a commitment. This should be a massive signal to the world and the American voter, but it will probably be overlooked by one of those two.

Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.

[adam_vermont]

1. Well, we can't afford it, either

The USA doesn't have the policies or relationships in place to afford to be the world's policeman. If billionaires and large corporations hadn't been robbing the treasury blind the last 45 years and were currently taxed at a substantial rate, and countries under our protection were contributing more, the plan might work. As it stands, we are $40T in debt and cursed with an evil demented sh*tbag in the Oval, so the current situation can't hold. That's ok -- our influence has become one of malevolence in the world anyway.