Comments | phluxisgod: It's hot in here... and why am I in this handbasket?

phluxisgod

It's hot in here... and why am I in this handbasket?

Aug 16, 2004 12:21

I know that quite a few of you are better versed in Japanese politics and history than I am - I ran across something this morning that I don't really understand. According to the BBC article here, we're basically trying to bribe Japan to give up Article Nine of their Constitution with hopes of a seat on the UN Security Council ( Read more... )

Comments 9

faithful_summer August 16 2004, 10:03:21 UTC

Haha... talk about an interesting issue. You should have taken that course I did with Fletcher last year. ;) I'll be glad to tell you what I know about this when I'm not at work and have more time. Although I'm sure that by then, Justin will have replied with an entire history book for you. =]

anonymous August 16 2004, 11:07:50 UTC

In purely practical terms, they may not want to spend the money. Modern standing armies cost a triple shitload to maintain.

DFS.

valerie_quinn August 16 2004, 15:39:36 UTC

Actually, during the Korean War, the US said that Japan should get rid of Article 9. The US then wanted, as it does now, Japan's military help in dealing with its own problems. The 9th article, however, says that in exchange for Japan not having any military of its own, the US will provide the forces with which to protect Japan. At the time, that constitution made sense since it assured the rest of Asia that Japan would no longer be a threat while it also deterred any other nations from exacting revenge on Japan for its past aggressions ( ... )

ketheres August 17 2004, 00:31:48 UTC

Article 9 ( ... )

part 2 ketheres August 17 2004, 00:33:09 UTC

OK, enough history lesson ( ... )

part 3 ketheres August 17 2004, 00:35:09 UTC

>Why don't they object to this ( ... )

part 4 ketheres August 17 2004, 00:36:04 UTC

During the UN intervention in East Timor, some groups in Indonesia actually wanted Japan to just send money, rather than troops, such was the lingering bad blood against Japan from over half a century prior. Japan ended up sending nearly 700 personnel in early 2002. This was the largest dispatch to date. Previous dispatches include the Golan Heights, Mozambique, and Cambodia. In all cases, troops performed support functions only, no combat. The situation is pretty indicative of the trend in Asia. Japan wants a place on the security council, and thus need to have an active hand in UN peace keeping initiatives, and have been pointed to as not doing their part (often by the US). But when they do manage to take part, their Asian neighbors have the tendency to get antsy and pissed about it ( ... )

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