Monday, January 14, 2013

US and Japan: Locked Into a Pathological Military Partnership




U.S. Arms Sales to Asia Set to Boom on Pacific 'Pivot' By Jim Wolf, Reuters 09 January 13 http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/01/us-usa-asia-arms-sales-idUSBRE90005D20130101
 
U.S. sales of warplanes, anti-missile systems and other costly weapons to China's and North Korea's neighbors appear set for significant growth amid regional security jitters.


[Excerpted] Japan has emerged as the most important U.S. partner in crafting a layered shield against ballistic missiles of all ranges and in all phases of flight.

The administration told Congress two days before Pyongyang's rocket launch that Tokyo was seeking a potential $421 million "Aegis" system upgrade for a pair of guided-missile destroyers to better defend against ballistic missile attacks.

Japan also has agreed to host a second land-based X-Band radar station - a possible prelude to purchase of Lockheed's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, designed to intercept enemy missiles inside the atmosphere and in space....

Majia here: Japan and the US have been militarily entwined since the end of World War II. Now they embrace a new nuclear arms race with China and other world players.

The relationship between Japan and the US has not been without tension. No doubt China's ascent alone is responsible for their oh-so-close military partnerships now.

I watch with disgust as both Japan and the US push austerity for their domestic populations while steeply increasing overall defense spending. 

The US government threatens cuts in education and social spending. Massive austerity has already affected the US states, which actually provide most of these services.

Japan pushes austerity by failing to contain and clean up the largest nuclear accident ever to occur, condemning its population to increased health and reproductive risks.
 
For background please see the following two posts. The first examines Japan's push toward nuclear security and the second concerns the close coupling of nuclear energy and national security in post WW Japan and today.


Jan 09, 2013
Majia Here: In 2008 Japan passed the Aerospace Basic Law of 2008, which allowed for technological developments in aeronautics for the purposes of national security. See my post for background: Thursday, December 20 ...
 
Dec 20, 2012
NOW TO PRESENT TIMES: In 2008 Japan passed the Aerospace Basic Law of 2008, which allowed for technological developments in aeronautics for the purposes of national security. In June 2012, a national security clause ...

 

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