Japan plans largest ever defense budget to counter China's reach

[tomm2thumbs]

Source: The Guardian

Japan’s defense ministry has requested its biggest ever budget to bolster its ability to protect outlying islands in response to China’s growing military reach in the region. The ministry has asked for 5.09 trillion yen (£27bn) for the financial year starting in April 2016, amid concern over Beijing’s construction of artificial bases in the South China Sea and its claims to the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu island chain in the East China Sea. If approved, the defense budget would be Japan’s biggest ever, after the fourth increase in as many years. <snip>

According to a request submitted on Monday, the ministry’s shopping list includes amphibious assault vehicles, stealth warplanes, F-35 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, F-35 fighters and an advanced Aegis radar-equipped destroyer. It also wants to acquire Global Hawk drones and surveillance helicopters to defend far-flung islands along an 870-mile stretch of ocean between the Japanese mainland and waters off Taiwan.

The ministry is also seeking extra cash to build new military bases and expand existing ones on some of the islands, equipping them with state-of-the-art radar and missile batteries.


Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/31/japan-plans-largest-ever-defence-budget-to-counter-chinas-reach

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[d_legendary1]

1. And in related news the MIC stocks go up amid

fears that Japan is facing invasion from China.

[davidpdx]

2. Someone on DU not too long ago said Japan should be allowed to have nukes

I was quite at awe with the stupidity of that statement.

There is going to be an arms build up in the region. All four countries: Japan, China, North Korea, and South Korea spend a lot on defense. However, if we allow Japan and South Korea to build up arms it will just push China and North Korea to do the same. Things are going to get much worse in Asia and the past hatred between China, Japan, and the two Koreas will only fuel the fire.

[Art_from_Ark]

3. The last thing we need in this part of the world

is an arms race.

For what it's worth, I often see a local politician standing out in front of a train station here in Tokyo speaking about his opposition to escalating an arms race.

[davidpdx]

4. I totally agree

It is a dangerous road we've been down before and not one that should be encouraged in Asia. I can't stress enough the fact that they hate each other and if given the wrong weapons they would blow the shit out of their neighbors.

I have to hope if North Korea collapses maybe a reunification of Korea would lead to greater cooperation between the three countries.

[Uncle Joe]

7. I agree but is China with their continuous encroachment actions leaving Japan a choice? n/t

[Psephos]

5. Do you feel that Iran should be able to acquire nukes?

honest question

[davidpdx]

6. No, which is why I support the Iran deal

I also don't think Japan should be allowed to have nukes either.