Maj. Kohichiro Hayashi's fighter jet, an F-2, is Japan's latest, the result of a project with the United States. Chang W. Lee/The New York TimesFrom Edmonton Sun:
TOKYO — North Korea is an increasing threat to regional security and may be capable of building a nuclear device small enough to launch on a missile sooner than expected, Japan’s Defence Ministry said in an annual report released Friday.
The report cited North Korea as Japan’s chief security concern, but also noted that other nations in Asia — particularly China — are improving their military abilities.
Worries over North Korea have “grown more serious” since it conducted a nuclear test in May, the second since the North’s first underground atomic test in October 2006. The tests led to U.N. Security Council sanctions.
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My Comment: Since ancient times, Japan has always had a history and a reputation of being the military power in Asia. Since the Second World War .... this culture of militarism and expansionism was diverted into economic and financial growth and development. This focus is .... I believe .... about to change.
North Korea's open declaration that it is striving to be a nuclear power, coupled with China's determination to be the regional super power in the region, is resulting with Japan reviving its old nationalist tendencies.
My prediction .... Japan will start to increase substantially their military and defense forces in the next year or two .... and they will do so with the blessing of their electorate as well as the American Government.