politics

Japan, Australia agree to boost defense cooperation

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Japan is very very pathetic in this regard. The Japanese don’t want to pay for their own defense, so they mooch off of any and all comers.

-15 ( +1 / -16 )

Who gives the right for Japan and Australia to be serious concerned about South China Sea ? None of them is even remotely close to the Sea.

-18 ( +1 / -19 )

Who gives the right for Japan and Australia to be serious concerned about South China Sea ? None of them is even remotely close to the Sea.

You sound nervous...

10 ( +11 / -1 )

The Japanese don’t want to pay for their own defense, so they mooch off of any and all comers.

What do you expect them to do when they are forbidden from having their own military?

9 ( +11 / -2 )

extanker, I am. If the imperialist view is allowed to develop, war follows.

-14 ( +2 / -16 )

Did I miss something? I am not aware of China threatening anybody. All these recent military training and security agreements seem like paranoia to me.

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

Australia is a very small market, so not much trade will happen really. Aside from the usual, beef, wine etc

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

extankerToday 07:22 am JST

The Japanese don’t want to pay for their own defense, so they mooch off of any and all comers.

(What do you expect them to do when they are forbidden from having their own military?)

Japan has the largest or the 2nd largest defense budget in Asia. They have a military. We KNOW that because they dropped a 88mm mortar on a carpark early this week.

Japan doesn't want to spend money on it's own defense. It would rather pass it off to other countries. This is a clear example of it and it begs the question ……. WHY SHOULD AUSTRALIAN YOUTH DIE FOR JAPAN???

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Japan has the largest or the 2nd largest defense budget in Asia. They have a military. We KNOW that because they dropped a 88mm mortar on a carpark early this week.

Japan doesn't want to spend money on it's own defense. It would rather pass it off to other countries. This is a clear example of it and it begs the question ……. WHY SHOULD AUSTRALIAN YOUTH DIE FOR JAPAN???

A large defense budget does not automatically equal capability. Japan does not posess any long range offensive capability and are forbidden to do so by the Japanese post war constitution. That is why the SDF does not possess any bombers and their fighters lack mid-air refueling capability.

Making alliances with other friendly nations is the smart thing to do.

But hey, just resort to the 'why should they die for Japan' drama instead of looking at it sensibly.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Why should American youth die for Australia under Article IV of the ANZUS Treaty?

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Youth dying for any country any political machinations, Nationalism, Relegious Ideology is just a putrid idea permanganate by armament industry's and politicians who have no real ideas other then killing their own youth. Defence is necessary to a point but when that defence becomes a threat to others just watch the rhetoric spewing out of governments and their lackeys.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Australia is a very small market, so not much trade will happen really. Aside from the usual, beef, wine etc

Two way trade between Australia and Japan has been very important for both countries. Japan was critical to Austraila's growth before China really blossomed and is still our second largest trading partner. And from Japans point of view, Australia is a key supplier of energy, particularly gas now and raw materials. Also agricultural products as you say.

From an Australian point of view, its just nice to have somebody in our neighborhood in which we are genuinely on the same page on most issues. Possibly Singapore is the only other country for which Australian's can honestly say that.

Of course our two most critical relationships in Asia proper other than Japan are Indonesia and China. If we can get the Indonesian relationship right, most would feel its only China we have to worry about. Indonesia however is a concern due to the rise of Islamic extremism from time to time in that country and their historical ties to Russia on defense. Fortunately the lay of the land means Jarkarta is far more exposed to Australia, than our major capitals are exposed to Indonesia. Darwin itself is still a speck of a city. I think we can get our relationship with Indonesia right. Its generally going in the right direction.

With Japan viewing Australia as a "quasi-ally,"

I would say that is accurate and its built not just on trade and the fact we agree on a great deal, but also obviously our joint alliance with the U.S and I suppose beyond that Britain comes into play as well as the U.K seeks to spread its wings in Asia and in Japan in particular and of course we have historical ties to the U.K.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Very interesting. Darwin. Attacked by japan and hosting a big USA naval, drone, intel base.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Akie:

Who gives the right for Japan and Australia to be serious concerned about South China Sea ? None of them is even remotely close to the Sea.

It's international water. To keep it open and free is everyone's business.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Australia should cliam islands in China. Why not. Southern Hemisphere is a short swim away.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Haha, but most of those islands are not in China! (Near China, maybe.)

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Hey Ossan, do some research.

The treaty says the signatories will "consult together" and "act to meet the common danger". I can only think of one occasion it was enacted and that was by us after 9/11.

Whilst we are a small nation we are still an ally and have been in all the wars the last century.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Haha, but most of those islands are not in China! (Near China, maybe.)

Not near China either. That's why called Tongue.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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