Self-Defense Forces 自衛隊

[RyukyuRhymer]

Originally Posted by NihonKitty

What do you guys think of all of this. I think Japan needs to be able to defend itself but I want Japan to be like Sweden or Switzerland..just neutral.

well I'm not against the idea of neutrality, in fact I support it.. however as SamuraiBlue said, it'll be very difficult.

Switzerland uses a draft system where males of a certain age group has to serve, I don't think that would be too popular in Japan. During WWII, both the allies and axis often violated their borders and there were skirmishes.

Sweden during the cold war had to deal with both West and the East harassing them (trying to pose as the other side) in hopes of luring them to their own side. But despite this neutrality both Sweden and Switzerland were obviously leaning towards the west based on the type of equipment being purchased, governmental relations, etc.

Finland was probably more neutral than both of them, but probably had no choice because they were directly next to the USSR, so they used Russian and American/W.European equipment..

ps.. Japan does already consider itself a neutral state, but in reality .. well you know how it is

[ukiyo]

＠samuraiblue　もう少し丁寧にコメントしていただけますか？他の人を不快にさせるようなコメントはしないでいただけないでしょうか？

＠ryukyu　あなたの意見に賛成です。日本は他のアジアの国とアライアンスを結ぶときに気をつけたほうがいいと思います。

私の意見では、日本は韓国は隣同士の国なので、２つの国がもっと協力して互いに強い国になれば、中国より強い国になれると思います。

Japan's Aging Air Force Plans Major Overhaul
http://abcnews.go.com/International/...rhaul-14746219

Japan's aging air force has seen better days. But after years of delays and budget battles, Japan is expected to announce by the end of December a new fighter deal that will likely shape Asian air security for decades to come.

"The JASDF is on the edge of becoming a major tool of power projection," said Michael Auslin, a Japan security expert with the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. "With its fighter selection process, it will signal whether it intends to be qualitatively competitive with leading air forces around the region over the next generation."

Japan — with 362 fighter jets, mostly F-15s, F-4s and F-2s — is already one of the top air powers in the region.

More: http://abcnews.go.com/International/...rhaul-14746219

Lockheed to Offer F-35 Work to Japan Firms

Lockheed, seeking to bolster its chances of winning a bid to supply warplanes worth as much as $8 billion to Japan, said it will also offer manufacture of major components, maintenance work and engine assembly of the F-35 to Japanese firms.

The F-35 "has taken our industry and partners to a new level," John Balderston, the campaign director for Lockheed's bid, told reporters at a Tokyo hotel where the company was displaying a mockup of the plane.

"It will put Japanese aerospace into the lead," Balderston said, referring to what Lockheed says is its more advanced technology than rivals.

American arms makers have typically farmed out much of the production to Japanese companies, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and IHI as part of past agreements to supply equipment to Japan's army, navy and air force.

More: http://www.onlineamd.com/aerospace-m...md-101011.aspx

[RyukyuRhymer]

Originally Posted by NihonKitty

＠samuraiblue　もう少し丁寧にコメントしていただけますか？他の人を不快にさせるようなコメントはしないでいただけないでしょうか？

＠ryukyu　あなたの意見に賛成です。日本は他のアジアの国とアライアンスを結ぶときに気をつけたほうがいいと思います。

私の意見では、日本は韓国は隣同士の国なので、２つの国がもっと協力して互いに強い国になれば、中国より強い国になれると思います。

Japan's Aging Air Force Plans Major Overhaul
http://abcnews.go.com/International/...rhaul-14746219


Lockheed to Offer F-35 Work to Japan Firms

日本は韓国と友好関係を保っているが領有権問題なので日韓関係に悪影響を及ぼすと思う。。

[ukiyo]

Japan, Vietnam agree on defense cooperation

Japan and Vietnam have agreed to reinforce their defense cooperation in light of China's increasing influence in the South China Sea, where Hanoi is locked in a territorial dispute with Beijing.

"The relationship between Japan and Vietnam has entered a new stage of development," Ichikawa told Thanh, who came to Japan after skipping a meeting of defense ministers from 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. "Vietnam is our strategic partner for peace and stability in Asia, and we want to deepen our partnership." Under the memorandum on defense cooperation and exchange, vice defense minister-level officials from Japan and Vietnam will hold regular dialogue. The Self-Defense Forces and the Vietnamese military will visit each other's country.

The document also said the two countries will cooperate in rescue efforts in the event of a disaster in Southeast Asia or elsewhere.

The defense cooperation memorandum is Japan's second with a Southeast Asian country following the one with Singapore, concluded in December 2009.

More: http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_...J2011102515718

Japan, U.S. agree to bolster defense ties

At a series of meetings with U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Japanese and U.S. leaders agreed to further defense cooperation, focusing on a new idea of dynamic defense cooperation with plans to strengthen joint exercises and air surveillance.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda reached an understanding with Panetta at a meeting Tuesday, saying, "We have to develop Japan-U.S. security and defense cooperation across a wide range of areas."

More: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T111026004865.htm

Japan to send advance GSDF team to South Sudan

Japan is close to sending a team of about 200 Ground Self-Defense Force members to South Sudan to prepare for a larger U.N. peacekeeping mission next year.

The advance guard, which will be sent to Juba, capital of the newly independent country, as early as this year, will consist of members of the GSDF's Central Readiness Force and will be responsible for setting up camps and bases in the capital.

A team of about 320 GSDF engineers will be sent early next year to expand a port along the Nile River and build roads.

More: http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_...J2011102615759

[RyukyuRhymer]

Originally Posted by NihonKitty

Japan, Vietnam agree on defense cooperation


Japan, U.S. agree to bolster defense ties


Japan to send advance GSDF team to South Sudan

Japan is also building a Nuclear reactor for Vietnam at time of writing, along side with the Russians.

On other news, Japan eliminated the Eurofighter Typhoon from their F-4 replacement program, leaving the Boeing F-18E and Lockheed-Martin F-35 left, both American.

次期主力戦闘機、米の２機種を軸に　11月に選定

2011/10/23 2:03
日本経済新聞　電子版
http://www.nikkei.com/news/headline/...E2?n_cid=TW001
　航空自衛隊の戦闘機Ｆ４の後継機となる次期主力戦闘機（ＦＸ）が11月中に決定する。米欧の３機種から１機種に絞り込む防衛省の作業では、米国が絡むＦ35とＦＡ18の２機種を軸に調整が進む。今後20年以上、日本の空の守りの要となるだけに、性能の高さや国内企業がどれだけ生産に関与できるかという問題に加え、同盟国・米国との関係が重要な要素になる。

　「活発な活動を繰り返す中国の動きがあり、安全保障環境は不透明

[ukiyo]

So the F-35 is the best one right. I don't care alot about military at all but if they're going to spend the money they might as well get the best one..

[RyukyuRhymer]

Originally Posted by NihonKitty

So the F-35 is the best one right. I don't care alot about military at all but if they're going to spend the money they might as well get the best one..

well it really depends on which F-35 Japan wants, F-35 is actually three different airplanes that have high common parts. The reason i say this is because if Japan gets F-35B, then it will really change the nature of the Japanese navy.

[ukiyo]

Can you explain please? I don't know anything about this stuff -_-

[ukiyo]

Japan's Okinawa Governor urges PM to move U.S. base off island

TOKYO, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima told Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Thursday that the central government's plan to relocate a controversial U.S. base within Okinawa Prefecture is almost impossible and again called for the base to be moved off the island.

Nakaima said in a written request that relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station to Henoko in Nago from a densely populated area of Ginowan, also in Okinawa, was not in the best interests of the people on the island.

"It's practically impossible to realize a relocation plan that doesn't have the understanding of local residents," the document reflecting the views of Okinawa's prefecture council said.

More:http://news.xinhuanet.com/english201..._131215941.htm

I'm not sure how I feel about this anymore..if they accept the relocation plan than the city can use the free space and also there will be troop reduction to Guam...but if they don't accept than nothing will change and the USA does not accept moving it to any of the main islands because it's too far from the other bases or something if I remember correctly.. I personally wish that those bases can be removed..

[RyukyuRhymer]

Originally Posted by NihonKitty

Can you explain please? I don't know anything about this stuff -_-

ok this may sound complicated.

In America, the Air Force, Marines, and Navy often use different airplanes. for example the Navy needs an airplane that can land slowly because the aircraft carrier doesn't have enough space for landing. This results in an aircraft that may have straighter wings, heavy landing gears to handle carrier landings, etc. The Air Force doesn't need those things and may prefer a different aircraft. The US Marines use the Harrier, its a jet that can take off and land vertically if it needed to, so it can operate on ships that don't have a steam catapult like on the US Navy. The downside is that aircraft like the Harrier have alot of limitations in their design. its not very fast, doesn't fly far, and its not very agile.

so the US decided to replace all of these airplanes with one common airplane for the Air Force, Marines, and Navy. And this airplane is called the F-35.
But the problem is, they all have unique needs still.. so the F-35 is split into three versions:

F-35A for the Air Force (and probably many European countries) - lets assume this one is the "normal" one

F-35B for the Marines - it can take off and land vertically if it needed to, the compromise is that space inside is taken up for the device needed to do this.. which means it sacrifices space for fuel. Its also the most complicated version

F-35C for the US and British Navies - it needed bigger wings, stronger landing wheels, and a tail hook, to make it work on carriers.

ok so now how does choosing which one affect Japan?

If Japan chooses F-35A, this means it will only be used at air bases.

If Japan chooses F-35B, this means that suddenly, any of Japan's naval ship that has space for aircraft, can be turned into a small aircraft carrier, especially Japan's helicopter destroyers. this means ships which only had the ability to launch helicopters for either transport/anti submarine duties, could now be used to be more offensive/defensive because the F-35B brings in additional air to air and air to ground abilities

and the least likely is if Japan chooses F-35C.. but if they do choose it, it means that Japan may build a big aircraft carrier.

[ukiyo]

I thought it's only for the airforce so won't they choose the A one?

BTW is the F-35 drastically better than the jets we have now?

[dumbfword]

Japan could probably go like Israel(F-35I) and Canada(CF-35) in it's procurement.

F-22 and F-35 are 5th generation fighters and the most advanced production fighter planes that we know of (never know what's being cooked at groom lake). Russia and China are currently developing 5th gen fighters, but they haven't entered production yet.

Has there been any updates on the Mitsubishi ATD-X project?

[RyukyuRhymer]

Originally Posted by NihonKitty

I thought it's only for the airforce so won't they choose the A one?

BTW is the F-35 drastically better than the jets we have now?

well the debates on the F-35 often fall on two extremes, one being that it should be second to the F-22 (which the US refused to sell to Japan, Israel, and Australia and is no longer in production), while others say its a fat, expensive, slow airplane.

truth is probably somewhere in the middle. Its a stealthy aircraft, with the newest technologies, thats the advantage it has over the other two. but its raw performance could be argued to be inferior to the Eurofighter..

but some of the reasons for this is because the Eurofighter was originally intended for air to air missions. the F-35 is much more multi role, but there's a clear emphasis on air to ground missions. unlike other 5th generation fighters (like the F-22) it doesn't supercruise, it doesn't have a high thrust to weight ratio, etc.. but some would argue that it may no longer be that important since its systems are quite advance.

I think whats important however is what Japan gets out of it.. Japan is a country that wants to learn the technology, build things for themselves, etc and in the past even when buying foreign weapons... Japan usually builds it themselves under license.. and I'm not sure if the US will trust Japan enough to let them build the F-35 themselves and modify it to their needs.

the F-18E, the other contendor, is a 90's aircraft that's based on a design from the 70's. its performance is worse than the F-35 but what made the aircraft relevant is that it is easier to maintain and it has very advance systems that make up for some of its raw performance issues.

Ultimately I think in the long run its better Japan uses the technology and builds something itself that better suits Japan's needs.

as for ATD-X, its just a tech demonstrator, the airplane is too small to contain an internal bay of its own.. its the size of the Saab Gripen.
they will build it however.

I wonder if Japan is doing this for the same reason as the British. BAe built the Replica, a concept of a stealth fighter, in order to get the Americans to believe they were capable of joining as a high level F-35 partner.

[SamuraiBlue]

Japan, India agree on 1st bilateral naval exercise in 2012

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Defense ministers of Japan and India agreed during talks Wednesday to hold the first bilateral naval exercise involving the two countries next year, Japanese Defense Ministry officials said.

The accord reached between Defense Minister Yasuo Ichikawa and his Indian counterpart A.K. Antony reflects Japan's desire to boost bilateral defense cooperation with India in view of China's growing maritime assertiveness.

Details such as the timing of the exercise between Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Indian navy will be worked out in future discussions, the officials said.

During their talks at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo, the two ministers also agreed on Ichikawa's visit to India sometime in 2012, the officials said.

Ichikawa was quoted as telling his Indian counterpart, "Deepening defense cooperation between Japan and India will lead to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region."

Antony told Ichikawa that India's relations with Japan are its priority and it would like to strengthen such ties, according to the officials.

The two ministers also underscored the importance of the international community in protecting the safety of sea lanes, the officials said.

They also discussed the issue surrounding the South China Sea, which is the source of territorial disputes between China and a number of its Asian neighbors.

With the MSDF boosting ties with the Indian navy, Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force and Air Self-Defense Force will also promote dialogue with their Indian counterparts, the officials said.

The Self-Defense Forces have conducted joint exercises respectively with the United States, Australia, South Korea and Russia. With India, Japan held goodwill naval exercises under a trilateral framework with the United States in 2007.

On the occasion of the Japan-India summit talks in December 2009, the two countries agreed to hold bilateral naval exercises, but this has since failed to materialize.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/...dm012000c.html

This will better help boost relationship required to patrol the Indian sea plagued with Somalian pirates that are attacking ships coming through the Suez and red sea.

[RyukyuRhymer]

If true, is pretty big news!
http://idrw.org/?p=5253#more-5253

In a first, Japan offers to sell aircraft to India
Published November 17, 2011

SOURCE: EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

In a sign of increasingly closer defence ties, Japan has for the first time offered to sell military equipment to India. While Tokyo has traditionally been wary of exporting military equipment to any part of the world, it has for the first time offered to sell multi-role amphibious aircraft that the Indian Navy needs for a variety of roles, including electronic warfare.

Sources said the matter was discussed during Defence Minister A K Antony’s visit to Japan last month and Tokyo expressed its keenness to share high-end military technology with India and even explore the possibility of joint development.



It is learnt that the Japanese government has granted permission to ShinMaywa Corporation to respond to a global request for information by the Indian Navy. Sources said the company has offered an aircraft named ShinMaywa SS 3 I in response to a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Navy. Responses have also been received from Canada’s Bombardier and Russia’s Beriev company.

Japan has a strict policy on export of defence equipment and there is an unofficial ban on arms export despite the nation having a robust defence industry that caters for domestic needs. The ban, however, is being reconsidered with public statements in the past few months alluding to a modification in export policy. Tokyo is also considering opening up to joint ventures and joint developmental projects with other like-minded nations.

.

[ukiyo]

Japan Strengthens its Southern Flank

Alarmed by a Chinese move last year to send a fleet through the Miyako Channel 1,700 km south of Tokyo and into the open waters of the Pacific Ocean for maneuvers, Japan is deploying self-defense forces to an island that overlooks the strategic channel.

Japan’s redeployment also stems from concerns over increasing Chinese assertiveness over the disputed Senkaku chain, known as the Daioyutai to the Chinese. The deployment has not only upset the Chinese but unsettled the Taiwanese as well.

The deployment, to Yonaguni Island, is part of a general trend of transferring forces from Japan's northern flank to the extreme southern flank. Aside from a small contingent on Miyako Island, the southern islands have been totally demilitarized and vulnerable. The establishment of a so-called coastal monitoring unit can be seen as a means of asserting Japanese sovereignty over islands in a region of conflicting claims.

The decision to install a 100-man unit, estimated to cost ¥1.5 billion (US$20 million) and expected to be completed by 2015, is part of a growing trend by the nations that surround China to tighten up their defenses as they increasingly side against what they perceive as the growing belligerence of the region’s biggest country.

More: http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.ph...990&Itemid=201

China eyes resumption of talks with Japan on setting sea boundary

BEIJING (Kyodo) -- China has proposed resuming negotiations with Japan on setting the boundary between the two countries in the East China Sea in an apparent attempt to highlight issues involving the disputed Senkaku Islands, sources familiar with bilateral relations said Monday.

China is advocating a resumption of bilateral consultations on the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, the last round of which was held in December 2003, ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's planned visit to China in mid-December.

By calling for a resumption of the negotiations, China appears to be trying to get Japan to acknowledge that a territorial dispute exists between the two countries over the Senkaku Islands, a group of uninhabited isles and barren rocks which are known as Diaoyu Islands in China.

Japan plans to accept China's proposal as it has no objection to addressing bilateral issues under the UNCLOS, according to the sources.

More: http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/...dm038000c.html

[ukiyo]

Government to set new standards for weapons exports

Japan is seeking to export more weapons if they are targeted toward peacebuilding or humanitarian purposes, which would skirt a long-standing self-imposed ban on arms exports.

The administration of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is planning to put together new guidelines this month that would establish more exceptions for the export of weapons.

Sources said the exceptions would allow for the export of weapons if they are to be used for peacebuilding or humanitarian purposes. Joint development and production of weapons with other nations would also fall under exceptions to a ban on weapons exports under the new guidelines.

More: http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_...J201112120029d

[RyukyuRhymer]

Originally Posted by NihonKitty

Government to set new standards for weapons exports

perhaps Japan should take into consideration the models Germany or Sweden has, which has strict limitations on the type of uses.

some news article on the german export laws
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15014836,00.html

Japan has some high quality defense systems. the problem is the cost.. both because of Japanese labor costs, and the high yen.

[ukiyo]

There's an article on Nikkei about the government holding a meeting friday and that F-35 will be chosen. But I read that the F-35 has alot of problems like: http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2011/...-in-purchases/

[RyukyuRhymer]

Originally Posted by NihonKitty

There's an article on Nikkei about the government holding a meeting friday and that F-35 will be chosen. But I read that the F-35 has alot of problems like: http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2011/...-in-purchases/

F-35 has alot of controversy over it and you have strong arguments on both sides.. but to be honest.. much defense purchases everywhere now are much more strictly scrutinized and always under some kind of flak.

for me personally, I always felt that the decision to use a similar air frame for all 3 versions, led to many compromises, especially because the B version (the S/TVOL one) had certain design requirements that limits the design of the other two. If Japan was willing to spend the money that uses the F-35 technology as well as existing Japanese ones, and put it into a new airframe that's more optimized for Japan's needs.