Japan Cabinet Approves Landmark Military Change.

Japan's cabinet has approved a landmark change in security policy, paving the way for its military to fight overseas.

From the article:

Under its constitution, Japan is barred from using force to resolve conflicts except in cases of self-defence.

But a reinterpretation of the law will now allow "collective self-defence" - using force to defend allies under attack.

PM Shinzo Abe has been pushing hard for the move, arguing Japan needs to adapt to a changing security environment.

Others believe that the constitution is a post-war relic imposed on Japan by the US that restricts it from engaging in the normal activities of a modern nation.

China - with whom Japan is currently engaged in a bitter territorial dispute - says it opposes the change, accusing Japan of "remilitarising" under Mr Abe.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that the new policy "raises doubts about Japan's approach to peaceful development", and accused Japan of "hyping the China threat".

"We urge Japan to sincerely respect the rightful concerns of neighbouring Asian countries, diligently solve any related issues, and not affect China's rights and the stability of the region," he said.

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I like. Enough with Chinese encroachment and passive/aggressive moves to settle disputes. Plus I wouldn't trust Obama to be a reliable partner. What say you OT?

old news bra

i am sure japan will be happy they can send their kids off to die in americas wars now.

Guess this means they have finally perfected battle exoskeletons. We are all fucked.

Good news. America can't defend every sector of the world. We need allies who are willing to fight with us if the need arises.

The world has changed and Japan is not an exception. This path will be good for them because it gives them more independence and the United States will now be more capable of funding energy R & D.

Japan doing what Obama won't: keeping their word to their allies. This is essentially a re-affirmation to Taiwan and South Korea that Japan will have their back and hopefully the other nations of the world see this bold move and take note. If the US will not lead, the other nations of the world will with or without US approval.

I doubt Japan has any interest of escalating the conflict and if anything this is something that won't be a hinderence if it, hopefully not, comes a day when their closest allies are attacked and thus they can lend military aid but probably also a change so they can easier have China see them as stronger rather then weaker and possibly even begin to defuse the territorial conflicts.

Not that I can understand why any of them want some barren small islands anyways.

oil