Abe: Japan won't join U.S.-led military operation against IS

[AgentOrange]

As most of us expected, military options are off the table for Japan. IMO, this is a smart move. Japan should strongly caution its citizens from traveling to Syria and Iraq and as unfortunate as this incident was, it's a salutary lesson for most people from East Asia. East Asians have no business in that region at the moment.

From a purely selfish point of view, if I were a Japanese person, I'd be secretly happy that Japan wasn't getting involved militarily. Even airstrikes wouldn't accomplish much and it could invite further retaliation against the Japanese home islands when for all intents and purposes, Japan doesn't have a dog in this fight since ISIS' ideological hatred is mainly focused on Europe and the US.

Furthermore, the two Japanese hostages were caught up in a warzone and the one who was executed was a mentally unstable war tourist who was previously seen fighting for various Syrian rebel groups. As for the other guy, I've read rumors that he might be freed in a prisoner exchange.

Thoughts?


Abe: Japan won't join U.S.-led military operation against IS

Politics Jan. 26, 2015 - 06:41AM JST ( 0 )

TOKYO —

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday said that Japan did not intend to join the U.S.-led military operation against Islamic State, but wanted to continue to provide humanitarian aid.

The decision by Abe, who took power in 2012 pledging to bolster Japan’s global security role, to give aid specifically to countries contending with Islamic State has raised some eyebrows.

Japan’s pacifist constitution also rules out any military response. A briefing paper prepared for Abe’s office on Friday and reviewed by Reuters said Japan would not have the legal authority to strike the Islamic State even after proposed legislation loosening military restrictions that the prime minister is seeking to pass later this year.

Abe has said Japan will press ahead with plans to offer over $200 million in humanitarian aid to help countries combating Islamic State, including aid for displaced refugees.

Abe announced that aid a week ago in Cairo during a trip through the Middle East when he also called Islamic State a threat to the region and to international order.

Meanwhile, Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the small opposition People’s Life Party, told NHK, that the government appeared not to know how to respond to the hostage crisis. “I think it’s unavoidable if they (Islamic State) took this as support for their enemies and view Japan as an enemy,” Ozawa said.

Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

 

[1000]

They can gain a lot of experience in this type of warfare coming to Iraq, though in Iraq the war has got so heavy barely anyone wants to put in ground forces not even the US.

UAE put a small number of forces in calm regions of Afghanistan, mostly they like Japan try to avoid war nowadays.

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

They can gain a lot of experience in this type of warfare coming to Iraq, though in Iraq the war has got so heavy barely anyone wants to put in ground forces not even the US.

UAE put a small number of forces in calm regions of Afghanistan, mostly they like Japan try to avoid war nowadays.

Nope, Abe is only obsessed with the China encirclement.

The US too, they don't wanna get stuck in the Middle East, but they don't have a choice right now.

 

[C130]

not like they could of did much anyhow. some moral support would of been nice.
but Japan along with SK,Taiwan knows we have their back when they need it. we won't shy away from the threat.

 

[Aepsilons]

Its best to focus on national development. Japan should continue and perhaps increase humanitarian aid in the region.

 

[C130]

Its best to focus on national development. Japan should continue and perhaps increase humanitarian aid in the region.

I was just about to say. Japan should focus on humanitarian aid in the region instead.
win the hearts the minds with the wallet and goodwill.

ISIL asked for a 200 million ransom I think Japan could turn that to their advantage by giving 200 million to Red Crescent or help the refugees effected by ISIL.

 

[Aepsilons]

I was just about to say. Japan should focus on humanitarian aid in the region instead.
win the hearts the minds with the wallet and goodwill.

ISIL asked for a 200 million ransom I think Japan could turn that to their advantage by giving 200 million to Red Crescent or help the refugees effected by ISIL.

I agree. Direct military intervention would lead to unwanted consequences. What Japan should do is to increase our donations to the Red Cross , and the Red Crescent. Also, I do know that more Japanese physicians and medical staff are volunteering for MSF (Doctors without borders) and sent to war torn regions there.

 

[powastick]

I agree. Direct military intervention would lead to unwanted consequences. What Japan should do is to increase our donations to the Red Cross , and the Red Crescent. Also, I do know that more Japanese physicians and medical staff are volunteering for MSF (Doctors without borders) and sent to war torn regions there.

Actually Japan doesn't want their tourist/citizen kidnapped and factory/businesses burn. This was not reported in Malaysia mainstream media.

 

[Aepsilons]

Actually Japan doesn't want their tourist/citizen kidnapped and factory/businesses burn. This was not reported in Malaysia mainstream media.

We value every life , we Japanese are very, very reactionary when news of our citizens are hurt or threatened abroad.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Well peaceful Japanese are just brought into this mess due to politics and quite a sad development

After world war japan enjoyed great status as a mediator and peaceful nation

Economy and trade ties with Russia and China is way forward and yes ISIS is a major problem

 

[Aepsilons]

Well peaceful Japanese are just brought into this mess due to politics and quite a sad development

After world war japan enjoyed great status as a mediator and peaceful nation

Economy and trade ties with Russia and China is way forward and yes ISIS is a major problem

Japan should actively protect our vast interests in Africa and Middle East, and if push comes to shove, should mobilize the Defense Forces to protect these links. We should only intervene when necessary and these should include humanitarian aid , medical aid, reconstruction aid and such.

 

[powastick]

We value every life , we Japanese are very, very reactionary when news of our citizens are hurt or threatened abroad.

However in this matter, majority of the Japanese internet comment are angered towards the hostages themselves such as twitter and youtube.

In Japan, Anger Is Directed at ISIS Hostages
"The hostage drama has dominated the news cycle since ISIS released a video showing two Japanese men being threatened by a masked militant with a knife. But in very Japanese fashion, much of the anger has focused on the hostages themselves, who are seen by many as having acted recklessly. “The public thinks these guys put themselves in harm’s way, and that it is their problem — not the government’s or the taxpayers problem,” says Jeff Kingston, director of Asian Studies at Temple University’s Tokyo campus."

 

[TaiShang]

Smart decision. Japan, as much as China, should not in any military way be involved in the particular US/West/allies problem. If there is a side to stand by politically, it is the Syrian government.

The solution to the crisis is political, not military. Syrian government, if supported politically and countries that provide foreign terrorists (Turkey and Jordan) are convinced to seal off their borders, is capable of handling the terrorists inside the country.

If Japan is to meaningfully contribute to peace, it should start taking what Damascus says seriously.

Band aid actions such as providing funds to relief organizations are commendable but they will not stop the bleeding, but only prolong them.

Besides, even Japan commits an entire army, there is no winning against ISIS so long as the Western/allies support to anti-Syria factions (no matter moderate, medium, or well-done terrorists) continues.

 

[Aepsilons]

However in this matter, majority of the Japanese internet comment are angered towards the hostages themselves such as twitter and youtube.

In Japan, Anger Is Directed at ISIS Hostages
"The hostage drama has dominated the news cycle since ISIS released a video showing two Japanese men being threatened by a masked militant with a knife. But in very Japanese fashion, much of the anger has focused on the hostages themselves, who are seen by many as having acted recklessly. “The public thinks these guys put themselves in harm’s way, and that it is their problem — not the government’s or the taxpayers problem,” says Jeff Kingston, director of Asian Studies at Temple University’s Tokyo campus."

Well that is part of Japanese Character to show --責任を負う-- during times of want. 責任を負う -- which refers 'To Bear Responsibility'. We are a meticulous people and every effect usually is a result of a particular cause. Identifying factors that may cause unfortunate consequence.

In that article you shared --- it refers to that said phenomena.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Japan should actively protect our vast interests in Africa and Middle East, and if push comes to shove, should mobilize the Defense Forces to protect these links. We should only intervene when necessary and these should include humanitarian aid , medical aid, reconstruction aid and such.

Actually what most folks don't realize is that at least from Pakistan Side Japan is always seen as a neutral friend , and if the relations between Japan - China becomes normal , the understanding we share could certainly become very close as Japanese family style and values are very similar

There is no need for unnecessary wars its already messed up quite bad