He does not want that; he is driven by rage by my recent appraisal on US presence in Japan and Korea. I suppose my calling a spade a spade has hit a nerve. Sigh. Quite interesting really.
Rattling up the battle quotient to justify presence is common.
You want them out, then build your military.
- Do a complete PR makeover.
- Don't participate in NATO wars but bilaterally (without any third country US or otherwise involved) engage in military wargames with other friendly countries.
- Build and expand your positive image as a value-adding military force.
- I cannot guarantee that it may work will all countries, but your own citizens will change their attitude about the hate they have for military. Also, if at all there is an attempt to reach out to China in terms of bilateral military exercises, do it.
It will remove all reasons for foreign troops to stay in Japan. Also, Chinese government may warm up to you soon.
- Engage more closely with Korea and come forward with proposed joint developments. Now that both Japan and Korea have patched up, help build trust. Once they trust you, you will be in for a smooth sailing.
- It will take quite a lot of effort as Japan is advanced in terms of equipment but your combat experience is limited at least for the last 70 years. Change that; suggest an alternative to western powers this time through bilateral training with friendly countries and even neutral diplomatic ones like countries of LATAM and Africa.
- Invest more in an Asia specific bloc.
It will take shape once China and Korea have completely shed their misgivings and anger of past. The rest of Asia is already very good in terms of relations to you. Also help build confidence between Vietnam and China so that their misgivings are also sorted.
Imagine the PR coup Japan could do if it could propose a 15-member Asian power delegation: Japan, China, Korea, India and ASEAN countries combined.
This seems quite idealistic, but it is doable provided your governments take a serious interest in getting it done.
There will be attempts made to sabotage any such initiatives but you have to act quickly and work hard.
This destructive diplomacy is getting no Asian country anywhere. Only arms exporters are winning.
Remember how cleverly EU and NAFTA sorted out everything and now command terms?
Russia proposed a similar mature diplomacy with EU countries but just then Ukraine Crisis was manufactured. For what, you can imagine.
Asia needs to do the same. At least some countries for a start and then later others can join.
Bhai Shering,
In this aspect I must say that the Yasukuni Shrine should be re-evaluated. For one, I have no problem with the Shrine interring the souls of soldiers who died throughout the wars to defend Japan. However I believe the 14 class A war criminals should be removed from the Yasukuni Shrine, just out of respect. Tho I am sure the families of these 14 individuals would like to honor the memory of their relatives, it is better to prepare another private shrine or grave site for them at a less indicative location. I think that Japan will eventually consider doing this when the environment is right.
But i will end this by saying that The Emperor , Himself, does not visit Yasukuni. End.
Nihonjin-san, this is a wonderful idea.
Why not remove those war criminals and make it open to the public?
That way, China will also trust you and there will be mutual harmony.
However, this should also mean that war criminals of Allied powers should be exposed and similar measures should be made.
Take the step and you can press these countries as well to do the same.