With China and North Korea being problems in Asia,Should Japan's Military rebuild to WW2 Size?

I think to help Us in Asia with a China who's growing stronger and a very dangerous North Korea,Japan's Military should be rebuilt to 1941 Levels. I think that along with the US Military would be a big deterant to any potential attempted land grabs in Asia. What are Your opinions out there,It would be interesting to hear them.

I think Japan should be free to increase the size of their military and purchase whatever weapons systems they so desire.

As it is they are pretty well trained and equipped but small in number. The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force is the 3rd largest navy in the world (in terms of total vessels) behind the US Navy (#1) and the UK's Royal Navy (#2).

As pointed out, Japan has a huge military, it is just called a self defence force. China has not historically been interested in trying to conquer it's neighbours (with the exception of Taiwan, which it claims has always been part of China).

South Korea, Taiwan, Thaliand, the Philippines and other Asian countries are all members of the club that includes China and North Korea - they're all nervous about a militarily powerful Japan because of it's track record, and because of it's constant denial of it's past aggression, refusal to compensate it's victims and active attempts to try and re-write history. Until Japan can face up to it's own past, then it can't be trusted to have learnt from it.

Sure, it helps the US to have Japan as a deputy in Asia, but I doubt you'll find many countries in Asia that are really happy about the US or Japan meddling in their affairs.

China will continue to flex it's muscles as it's economy expands - more money means it can buy more shiny new toys. There's likely to be tension in the future between China and it's neigbours of the Spratleys, but China will win that argument in the end without having to go to war - about the only country that could oppose it in the region is Japan, and their constituion forbids aggressive military actions.

I think Japan and America's influence is declining in Asia, and the only countries that aren't happy about it are Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the US.

They have a pacifist constitution. You know, the one we forced on them after WWII.

It would require an amendment passed by referendum. Or maybe even a revolution!

Me and my brother were just talking about this the other day and I have mentioned it in previous posts as well.
Japan being one of our best allies, I believe it is about time that they make some adjustments to their Constitution to allow their military to become more offensive in nature.
Im not completely sure but does their Constitution also restrict the number of troops and equipment? If it does then I believe they should do whatever is needed to increase military spending and increase the military troop numbers and also equip it with better and more military hardware.
If any really serious situations with North Korea or China should arise, I believe that because of our presence there, they would definitely be a target.
If North Korea ever decided to attack the South, most scenarios that I've heard about actually agree with the Norths rhetoric when they say that they could literally turn Seoul into a sea of flames with the thousands of missiles and artillery thats pointing at them.
I read one report a year or two ago that estimated the number of artillery rounds and missiles that could hit Seoul each hour and the numbers were staggering to say the least.
I dont think that there is any danger of a repeat from WW2 by Japan, allowing them to build up their arms and become the dominant military power in that region is absolutely to our benefit.
If even one of the doomsayers around here are correct then we will be at war with either Russia or China, within the next 10 years..
They should get started upgrading right away and maybe they will be prepared if and when that time arrives.

I know the Japanese Government will face a huge amount of criticism from some of its own members, as well as the Japanese people but I believe they would eventually throw their support behind a build up of their forces and allowing them more flexibility in their offensive capability.

China has not historically been interested in trying to conquer it's neighbours (with the exception of Taiwan, which it claims has always been part of China).

Not exactly true, Communist China has invaded several nations in attempted land grabs since 1949 such as Vietnam (1979), Tibet (1959), India (1962) and I believe they also came pretty close to blows with the USSR over a land dispute.

reply to post by BigDaveJr


Hi, I'm from Asia. I don't get it. How exactly is China being a problem in Asia?

reply to post by ChrisF231


Be that as of may, the Chinese only seemed interested in the area that are populated pre-dominantly by their own people/culture. In other areas it's much easier to create alliances.

Worry more about Russia and middle-east before China or N.Korea. Please.

Japanese prime minister has suddenly resigned.

was Prime Minister Abe's head was offered to the opposition in exchange for their support of the US led drive to use Japan's military in a more effective support role?

Hmmm, should it be rebuilt to WWII size? No and its not likely either.

You have to remember the size of thier standing Army and Navy during that period.

What does Japan need?

1) State of the art ballistic missile defence.
2) The F-22 Raptor for cruise missile defence as well as air superiority
3) Upgrade their F-15's with AESA to backstop the F-22's
4) Expand the number of Aegis class destroyers they have and/or purchase US Arleigh Burke Class to beef up thier strike and defence capabilities.
5) Diesel electric or fuel cell submarines.
6) The F-35 to add a stealthy attack force.

These items will allow Japan to project alot of power in the limited confines of the area we are talking about in addition to bolstering its defensive capacity.

reply to post by 110240


The resignation really wasn't so sudden. The government lost power in the upper house a couple of months ago, and has been constantly dogged by corruption scandals, particularly in the agricultural ministry. It's had four ministers in the past 12 months, all due to corruption scandals with one minister even committing suicide over the problems.

The opposition, which has control of the upper house, has vowed to oppose extension of the Martime Self Defence Force's assistance to the US Navy in the Indian ocean (refuelling and resuppling US warships), and this was pretty much the straw that broke the camel's back as far as Abe is concerned.

He was an unpopular prime minister and his resignation has been on the cards for months. The opposition will not support an extension of support to the US military with his resignation. The LDP is trying to cling to power, but there are calls for an early general election. Domestic issues are the primary drivers behind this, but support for the war on terror has also contributed to the current impotency of the government.

Originally posted by ChrisF231

China has not historically been interested in trying to conquer it's neighbours (with the exception of Taiwan, which it claims has always been part of China).

Not exactly true, Communist China has invaded several nations in attempted land grabs since 1949 such as Vietnam (1979), Tibet (1959), India (1962) and I believe they also came pretty close to blows with the USSR over a land dispute.

Let's see..

1979 Vietnam.. yes, china invaded, but they withdrew after. Reasons range from persecution of ethnics chinese refugess, forced into China, results from the vietnam invasion of Cambodia.. and Russian influence. It was not about taking land.

Tibet.. if you google up "why we fight", you will notice their even the US War Department recognises the Tibet belongs to china. However, after Commies takeover.. it all changed, C1A were doing their usual in supporting the slave/serf driving Lamas to declared independence. How things change when US policies Change. Did you know that during WW!! the nationalist hq was in tibet.. so is the 'Flying Tigers' also, the war material supplies were flown over the 'Hump'-aka Tibet from Burma.

Sino-India War 1962... read the 'Henderson Brooks report' .. In was India who invaded China.. thru Nehru's 'forward policy' in which they took Assam, Hyradad, and subsequently Sikkim. Also google for ' Gregory Clark' an Australian diplomat at the time... he says the same.

As for Japan to rebuilt to WWII military level .... no way.. I disagree.

If you american.. of course, you would want another Britain type war buddy and prime minister as a lapdog.. to serve as a deputy and US vassal to dominate Asia....

But coming from Asia... to me it's imperialism. and Japan does have a History.. and their present administraion is the direct decent from their WWII cabinet.

If Japan can claim a small underwater coral reef as an Island, and claims a 200km EZZ. and the world mass media is silent... It shows that they are covered by US propanganda news network.