Per Prime Minister Abe’s comments regarding security for Japan:
“The security situation surrounding Japan has changed drastically with the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and missiles as well as a series of regional conflicts,” Abe said. “To protect Japan’s peace, independence and democracy and the lives of the Japanese, we need to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance.”
I wonder how long it will be before the South Korean flag is officially changed?
8 Comments
Changed to what?
This alliance isn’t really new, is it?
Hey, the inventor of ramen has died:
http://iht.com/articles/ap/200.....t-Ando.php
I don’t get the flag reference either.
Exactly Willie — “changed to what?” is a good question.
“Changing the flag” is a meme for the change in how Koreans view themselves. Just like the Japanese Government, South Korea is changing but one should ask “just how are Koreans changing in light of reality and why?”.
Nope Michael, this alliance with Japan is not new but it is changing all the time and is seemingly getting closer while South Korea has clearly used certain political topics to develop common ground with North Korea and to distance themselves from Japan.
What do you think will happen in Korea with Abe blowing kisses to the U.S.? The upcoming U.S. and S.K. elections will probably spin the dynamic even more in ways we don’t know yet–for example, a Democratic president might not warm to an increased U.S. military presence in Japan or back Abe’s moves to revise Japan’s constitution…. Probably the biggest factor will be how the next U.S. prez deals with N.K., which will in turn determine how everybody else reacts.
By “not new” I meant Abe was just continuing on what Koiziumi did in alliance building. I wasn’t just snarking
I think many in Japan are wary of the policy of a Democratic U.S. President, if elected. Democrats has been pro-China, anti-Japan in the past. If the next President shows that he /she is more interested in U.S.-China relations, then you may see Japan’s willingness for self-defense increase (which isn’t bad in a sense; sort of wakes up the country that you can’t rely on outside powers forever).
Also, wan’t it Bill Clinton and the Democratic body that did, afterall, mess up N.Korea nuclear termination program in the first place？
WTF?
Can you please explain this…er…non sequitur?
Jason, please read #4 for a small explanation as to what it means.