US Seeking To Turn Japan Into Military Base With Long Reach

[WillyT]

<snip>

TOKYO - The United States is pushing Japan to host a military base for troops who can be deployed to the Middle East, a move that exceeds the bounds of their current security alliance, a report said yesterday.

The US military's realignment plan would make Japan a host for command bases for the army, navy, air force and marine corps that could be deployed to 'the arc of instability' from Africa and the Balkans through the Middle East to South-east Asia, the Asahi Shimbun reported.

Under the plan, the US Army's I Corps headquarters in Washington state would be moved to Camp Zama in Kanagawa prefecture. Talks began last November after Washington announced the military realignment plan, it said.

Japan has been reluctant to adopt a plan that goes beyond the scope of the Japan-US Security Treaty, under which American troops are stationed in Japan to maintain peace and stability there and in the rest of South-east Asia and the Pacific Basin.

<snip>

Link: http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/asia/story/0,4386,274103,00.html

Treaty, Schmeaty... we've got a fuckin world to take over!!!

I might need some sleep...

:scared:

[TankLV]

1. After the debacle of Okinawa, where our "boys" practically went on a

pillage and rape spree of the local women, I am surprised that the Japanese would seriously consider this.

But you never know how the thugs in this misadministration bully and threaten people and countries.

[AmericanErrorist]

2. I'm with the Communists on this one

Perhaps maybe it's time to end the alliance..

Although Japan is a highly developed capitalist country, it is virtually subordinate to the United States, with its land, military, and other key areas controlled by the United States.

The greater part of U.S. military bases constructed during the total occupation period following the end of WWII continue to exist throughout Japan even after half a century. In particular, Okinawa, which was put under U.S. military occupation separate from mainland Japan following Japan's defeat in WWII and was bound by the San Francisco Treaty providing for its continued occupation, has been turned into the largest military base in Asia. A nationwide popular struggle led by Okinawans in 1972 won the reversion to Japan of the administrative rights over Okinawa, but Okinawans are still forced to live in the midst of U.S. bases. U.S. forces are carrying out activities in flagrant violation of Japan's territorial air space and territorial waters, and even imposing on Japan "secret agreements" on the possible bringing in of nuclear weapons to Japan which three times fell victim to the use of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and again at Bikini Atoll.

The Japanese Self-Defense Forces, which are virtually under U.S. control and command, are forced to assist in U.S. global strategy.

The United States still retains significant power over Japan's military and diplomatic affairs, and constantly uses its power to interfere with Japan's economic affairs. In the United Nations and in other international forums, Japanese government representatives often act on behalf of the United States.

http://www.jcp.or.jp/english/23rd_congress/2003-program.html

What is at stake for the Japanese people is that, under the Japan-U.S. military alliance based on the San Francisco Treaty and the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, the sovereignty of Japan has been infringed, and that U.S. imperialism continues to exert significant control over Japan's military and diplomatic affairs. Contrary to the will of the people, Japan was made into a base for the United States to wage wars in Korea and Vietnam. Okinawa was cut off from Japan and kept under harsh U.S. military rule for 27 years. Even today, after the 1972 reversion of the administrative rights over Okinawa to Japan, the United States keeps many military bases there, and the U.S. forces, having "extraterritorial rights," reign over the people, hurting the nation's dignity with a repetition of cruel rapes and other acts of violence. A large-scale arms buildup is being forced on Japan, the combined Japan-U.S. operation system is being intensified with the aim of warfare in the Asia-Pacific region, and there is the continuing serious danger that Japan is being turned into a U.S. nuclear base. Thus the Japan-U.S. military alliance is an apparatus for mobilizing the military bases in Japan and the military and economic power of Japan for U.S. hegemonism's "world gendarme" strategy.
There is no other developed capitalist country in the world so deprived of its freedom as a nation. At the same time Japan is being made to play the role of adjutant to U.S. imperialism as its ally in oppressing other Asian nations, and we must take a serious view of it.

http://www.jcp.or.jp/english/sengen-e.html

[Judi Lynn]

3. Surely the Japanese Government would never agree to this. Surely.

Apprently _Bush believes he and his nasty crew can claim the entire world. Tragic. Damned sad contemplating so many people brought under the control of such unworthy scums who have managed to worm their way into positions which allow such profound abuse.

They could have chosen to do good, but they've decided against it.

[punpirate]

4. Well, there was a hard push to change Japan's constitution...

... to enable the Japanese to send combat troops to Iraq. No doubt there will be lots of pressure applied to make Japan a jumping-off point for future military misadventures.

While the article suggests that this is for the purposes increasing availability of troops for central Asia, it could just as easily be seen as using the I Corps as reserve strength for a war with North Korea. With troops moving out of South Korea to Iraq, the plan might be little more than to empty South Korea of US troops, thus inducing North Korea to attack again (and given the degree to which the US has sought to antagonize NK of late, that's a strategic possibility). Then, troops stationed in Japan flood back in, and bingo, we're in the midst of a shooting war with yet another of the "axis of evil."

Let's hope that Japan avoids being the U.S.'s next Kuwait in staging a war with NK.

[Eye and Monkey]

5. "Sovereignty" is another one of those quaint, antiquated ideas.

Did you know that "domo harigato" actually translates as "we'll get you on balance of trade, Stupid Smelly Son of President Vomit"

[Laughing Mirror]

6. It might be Japan, as much as Middle East, US intends to subdue

from April 2004 interview with Japan analyst, Chalmers Johnson:

Meanwhile, the presence of American military bases in places like Okinawa where we have 38 bases on an island smaller than Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands, has produced a place that is almost volcanic in its anti-Americanism. These military bases continue to generate incidents-sexual violence, accidents, pollution, airplane crashes, etc.-that build long-term distrust and dislike. What we're seeing is almost a classic situation of subordinated peoples slowly developing the attitudes and the alliances to resist American imperialism.

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?ItemID=5255

[BootinUp]

7. Maybe we can subvert the Japanese

take them back to pre-WWII stance regarding military force. Wouldn't that be great! Then they could join us on more PNAC adventures.

[2Design]

8. we continue our aggressive ways - I can understand why the world

hates us

[WillyT]

9. Kick !!!

:kick: