Can Japan seek military retribution after the latest beheading of their citizens at the hands of ISIS?

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 20:03:08 -0500

Japan "reinterpreted" their Constitution last July which essentially allows them widen their interpretation of "collective self-defense." Now, instead of just defending themself from direct attack, they can come to the aide of their allies. Will this allow them to act against ISIS along side America since their citizens have been murdered in Iraq?

http://video.foxnews.com/v/ [login to see] 001/japan-amends-constitutions-limits-on-military-power/?#sp=show-clips

Japan amends constitution's limits on military power

Tokyo to allow greater use of force to defend other countries

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 8:04 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 20:04:23 -0500

They are afraid....

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jan 31 at 2015 8:07 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 20:07:14 -0500

http://news.yahoo.com/japan-says-efforts-free-islamic-state-hostage-deadlocked-075801477.html

Japan outraged as video purportedly shows hostage beheaded

TOKYO (AP) — Japan and other nations condemned with outrage and horror on Sunday the beheading purportedly by the Islamic State group of Kenji Goto, a journalist who sought through his coverage of Syria to convey the plight of refugees, children and other victims of war.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jan 31 at 2015 8:19 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 20:19:28 -0500

I can't guarantee the entire accuracy of these statements because it is from Wikipedia, but it has some very interesting information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Self-Defense_Forces

Japan Self-Defense Forces - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Japan Self-Defense Forces (自衛隊, Jieitai?), or JSDF, occasionally referred to as JSF or SDF, are the unified military forces of Japan that were established in 1954. In recent years they have been engaged in international peacekeeping operations.[6] Recent tensions, particularly with North Korea,[7] have reignited the debate over the status of the JSDF and its relation to Japanese society.[8] New military guidelines, announced in December...

Response by SFC Boots Attaway made Jan 31 at 2015 8:25 PM

SFC Boots Attaway — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 20:25:38 -0500

That will be nice but I do not think the people of Japan will allow it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 8:38 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 20:38:29 -0500

Maybe Japan hasn't forgotten how to fight.

Response by 1SG Nick Baker made Jan 31 at 2015 8:39 PM

1SG Nick Baker — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 20:39:36 -0500

I think they will bend the rules just like we do.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 8:40 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 20:40:59 -0500

They should

Response by PO2 Stephen Brinkley (Scott) made Jan 31 at 2015 8:45 PM

PO2 Stephen Brinkley (Scott) — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 20:45:00 -0500

No one who has served in the Military has forgotten what Japan did to us so long ago. But with that said, times are different now and I believe that Japan should have the majority of their rights back.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jan 31 at 2015 9:56 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 21:56:22 -0500

Break Break Break......A government spokesman for Japan (their version of the White House Spokesman) just announced (5am Japan time) that they are considering military action and joining America in the fight against ISIS. I wonder if Godzilla and Domo just got the FRAGO?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 10:29 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 22:29:38 -0500

I'm curious to know how the JSDF personnel feel about this. They signed up under the impression that they wouldn't be going anywhere outside of Japanese sovereign territory, and to now face the very real possibility of being ordered half a world away to fight an enemy that is not a conventional threat to their mainland... It's going to be a big transition in a lot of different ways for these guys.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 11:46 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 23:46:48 -0500

With all respect to our Japanese friends, they have next to no expeditionary capability. They couldn't do much even if they were inclined.
I would suggest to them they take economic actions. They ought to be able to inflict some pain with that tool.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2015 12:40 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 00:40:45 -0500

That would be nice if Japan jumped in. I've trained with their Engineers and they can kick butt.

Response by SSG John Bacon made Feb 1 at 2015 1:39 AM

SSG John Bacon — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 01:39:34 -0500

I guess If I was in charge this would be my solution for the region. No need for ground troops. Problem solved!!

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 1 at 2015 12:28 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 12:28:11 -0500

There seems to be two questions that have to be asked and answered...

First, should we trust Japan to rearm themselves to have an expeditionary capability? Why not? We have allowed German that privilege. Are the Japanese any less trustworthy?

Second, should Japan once again take responsibility for their own defense? I think they better. They, like the rest of the world, have languished under the Pax Americana these many decades. Sadly, America appears to have lost the will as well as the ability to maintain it. Maybe it's time for the rest of the world to re-engage and defend themselves.

Yes, I admit that I've provided only half-answers. These questions require much greater thought otherwise we may find ourselves once again suffering the unintended consequences of our own short sightedness.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 1 at 2015 1:41 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 13:41:04 -0500

I would suspect their constitution would still be an obstacle, but the greater question is if the long range, direct action mission is within their military operational capability. Strategic lift, tactical lift, logistics, intelligence collection/analysis/dissemination, CSAR, operators etc to get there, find the right bad people, fix the right bad people, finish the right bad people, and leave with all the people and their collective crap. They also have an incredible pressure to get it 100 percent right the first time. It is like throwing a highschool football team into the Super Bowl.

Japan's self defense doctrine is totally born out of the ashes of WWII and undergirded by our guarantee of their security and sovereignty.

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Feb 1 at 2015 3:42 PM

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 15:42:27 -0500

I cannot believe Japan would send anything other than a few advisers or a few companies at the most.

I worked with the Japanese Community in Dusseldorf the past 2 years, my training partner has a Japanese wife and I pick her/their brain. They are so very courteous, never show emotions and never decide anything other than with conscious thought.

Once the decision is made, they act with such a direct and meaningful manner, like a slow bulldozer, methodical and slow but taking everything with it, nothing stops them and their will is undying.

Japan has a problem, it has no natural resources and must import everything, therefore they must tread ever so lightly, not to mention if the upset the USA, our Navy may just block the cargo routs to the country for a few days, rendering them crippled.

Japan is a very, very proud country, you can bet they are up to something, maybe not today or tomorrow, or maybe we will not even hear about it, but they will get theirs...in my opinion.

If you would like to read more about Japan and the geopolitical situation and forecast for the next 95 years or so, you MUST read George Friedman, then next 100 Years, an incredible book, some parts of the book are a bit "out there" but overall an excellent read on the "world" and such situations.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Next-100-Years-Forecast/dp/ [login to see]

My humble opinion...Steady on,
Steven

The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century: George Friedman: 9780767923057: Amazon.com:...

The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century [George Friedman] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. A fascinating, eye-opening and often shocking look at what lies ahead for the U.S. and the world from one of our most incisive futurists. In his thought-provoking new book

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Feb 4 at 2015 10:54 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 22:54:16 -0500

I wondered when Japan would get past the Reconstruction type limits we rightly imposed on a country that has since become a very close ally.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Feb 5 at 2015 7:22 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 07:22:55 -0500

I think if Japan unites with the international community it can make a huge impact against ISIS

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 10:36 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 10:36:46 -0500

As much as I would like to see this, it would be a political disaster for the Abe government. After being stationed on the mainland for over a year (near Hiroshima actually), I know the vast majority of the population is still very pacifist. There is a vocal far right wing that wants Japan to confront China, but I cannot see their population supporting a sustained fight against ISIS.