He's a hardcore Japanese nationalist whose ultimate goal is to rearm Japan and break free from the US. Unfortunately for him his "Abenomics" never worked so he never got the political capital to do so.
Are we supposed to defend Japan forever? I dont think the "emperor" is going to reincarnate and bomb pearl tomorrow. We could certainly use a strong Japan military to counter China, Russia and NK.
How do you ensure a strong Japan will want to counter China, Russia, and NK? If you look at countries in the Asia Pacific region which do not have a significant US military presence (i.e. not SK and Japan, each hosting tens of thousands of American troops), most maintain very friendly relations with China even if they don't like them (e.g. Vietnam, Indonesia). Even those with some American military presence like Thailand and the Philippines are gravitating toward them year by year. International relations are fluid, it's not uncommon for besties to become mortal enemies and vice versa. Just look at the Sino-Russian relationship over the years. We're not defending Japan for free, they're paying with their sovereignty.
Gross lack of perception. Why don't you try reading a sentence or two before breaking out your toosoonometer?
He has passed. This world is truly in the worst shape it's been since 1942. Live updates: Shinzo Abe dies after shooting in Japan
Japan is part of the Quad defensive alliance along with the US, Australia and India, to contain China. There is also a new Indo-Pacific Agreement the US has shepherded into existence of regional nations to contain China. It is intended to fill part of the space after our actions suggesting we intended to withdraw from the region. The nations in the area do not want to cede to Chinese dominance if the US can and will ensure a freer Pacific Rim. But if we are withdrawing, they have to accommodate the regional hegemon. It is in our interest not to cede the Pacific Rim, although there obviously could be a point where the price is too high The Quad in the Indo-Pacific: What to Know https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/26/ipe...ific-framework-whos-in-it-why-it-matters.html
Japan is allowed to defend itself, their consitution allows a self defense force which they have, and they can delcare war in event they are attacked. Abe wanted to change that.
Which leads to odd sounding constructions. Japan doesn’t have a Navy; they have a Maritime Self-Defense Force. Of course, what was the US Department of War became the US Department of Defense in 1949, and many in the world would say the older name was more apt.
That is a great great question. No idea. Hopefully things will improve like the did in 1942. What a year
