Twenty-six ships from the U.S. Navy and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, including ships from the George Washington Strike Group, steam together after the conclusion of exercise Keen Sword 2013. Keen Sword 2013 is a biannual exercise held in order to enable the United States and Japan to train in coordination procedures and heighten interoperability needed to effectively defend or respond to a crisis in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jennifer A. Villalovos/Released)
Say No To Tokyo -- Doug Bandow, National Interest
Faced with an increasingly bitter territorial confrontation with China, Japan wants a stronger U.S. defense guarantee. So much for the Democratic Party of Japan’s promise to make Tokyo a more independent international player. Washington should say no to war with the People’s Republic of China over a worthless pile of rocks claimed by Japan.
Whether animated by economic success, weakened political control over the military during the ongoing leadership transition, or perception of Western weakness, China has been playing an increasingly assertive role throughout the Asia-Pacific.
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My Comment: Japan definitely has the means to build-up (very quickly) a military that everyone in the Asian region would take notice very quickly .... especially China. Fortunately .... Japan does not have the political will to do such a build-up for the simple reason that everyone is expecting the U.S. to fulfill the regions defense needs. Is this a sound policy .... definitely not. Will it happen .... if I was a betting man I would say yes. But there will come a time when the U.S. cannot play that role anymore, and as the U.S. prepares to face it`s debt crisis, that day may come sooner rather than later.
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