Comments on: Audio: The U.S.-Japan Alliance

By: Paul Arcidiacono

Paul Arcidiacono — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:25:12 +0000

I suggest a sequel to this program focusing on the debate within Japan over whether article 9 in the Japanese Consitution should in fact be maintained or circumvented and ultimately be repealed or made meaningless.Full and objective coverage should be given to each side in the debate. We should hear from all age and occupational groups both male and female on each side of the debate.

By: Terence Porch

Terence Porch — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:04:42 +0000

A fantastic Wide Angle program! I have personally witnessed Japanese visitors respectfully placing flowers over the Arizona at Pearl Harbor. Both old and young Japanese. Today they are our ally and in any future fight I definitely want them with us and I want us with them.

By: John

John — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:20:14 +0000

The line that Japans SDF has walked since the Korean War when the US basically forced its creation is a necessary one. Within the restraints of Article 9 Japan can defend itself but not make aggressive war which is as it should be! That the US wants Japan to be a more ‘active’ defense partner should be looked at with suspicion.

By: Ivan Amezola Gonzalez

Ivan Amezola Gonzalez — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:59:03 +0000

I think that in the shorth to medium term it would be best for the US if the Japanese country developes a full scale military. I think that they should be given the chance to do it with the exception of developing nuclear technology. That way they will not match the US power but they would be an important ally to the country.

By: Terry

Terry — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:32:28 +0000

I think the Japanese need to increase it’s military presence in the world. It has been encouraged by the US to grow, and to assume more of their own defense. There is NO tiger, and the sky is not falling down. The growing threat of China’s rapid military growth and the potential nuclear growth of North Korea, necessitates the growth of the Japanese military.

By: T. Bonin

T. Bonin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 05:07:12 +0000

I found your show this evening interesting enough that I switched from another program that I usually prefer. I’m glad to know about Japan’s movement toward having a military with “peacekeeping” potential. I’m wondering why I haven’t heard or read much about this before now. While I think we should be concerned about China as well because it has the largest armed force in the world (followed by the European Union and then the U.S., despite our having the largest military budget), I think the cohesiveness and closedness of Japan’s culture, its apparent innate and exceptional capability when it comes to efficiency and its increasing population density make Japan a country we should definitely be wary of. One thing I thought was missing from the show was more discussion on American policy toward Japan and why we’re “letting” them slowly but surely destroy Article 9. That’s not to say that the show wasn’t awesome. It was.

By: Heidi Preston

Heidi Preston — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:46:04 +0000

I found it interesting that your show was about changing the constitution which has been in place at the end of a war and James Baker III and Warren Christopher want to replace and repeal the “War Power Resolution” here at home through legislation. Coincidence? I could have sworn but probably delusional that the American voice for the Older Japanese men sounded just like John McCains….can you confirm this for me?

By: Glen Henry

Glen Henry — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:41:10 +0000

I lived in Japan for six years in the 90’s. Having first hand experience there, seeing Hiroshima Museum, working with the military and JSDF, it was enlightening from the aspect of the American presence in the Pacific protecting Japan and training both nation’s military. I never realized that so many Japanese people didn’t know what the JSDF was or that it existed. I enjoyed your PBS article. It was very broad in nature from the Defense Minister to the cadet in school to people on the street, and as always, Japanese are very truthful with you. I support changing Article 9 so that Japan can better protect itself, its people, and be a better ally with America. The world nations are quickly becoming more violent and aggressive (as is America). Japan would be a good moderator. As in most country’s history books, the truth isn’t always the truth such as Japan’s previous aggressive dominance of China, Korea, and other countries. I hope that the Japanese Academy teaches the cadets the truth about the Japanese past and how their military mistreated (forced Korean women to come to Japan as slaves and for brothels), killed, and tortured other people. I have many Japanese friends and it’s a conflicting concept to see the old Japan and WWII that my father fought in compared with todays Pacifist nation and friendly people.

By: stevelobb

stevelobb — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:41:11 +0000

Hope Article 9 remains in place,even if U. Hope Article 9 remains in place. Japan, as a wonderfull example of a peacefull country could be making a horrible mistake waisting resources on military rather than so many other important issues. To follow the U.S. policies of militarism is a step backwards, paticularly when the Japanease are so well known as leaders in diplomacy!

By: E.Louis

E.Louis — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:15:10 +0000

Having spent two plus years in Japan, I find the Japanese the most intriguing of all Asians. History supports the case that they have been the most aggressive as related to the quest for power and control. Perhaps, Japan is also the least diverse in it’s culture and religion. The fascination with Western/American culture, is most likely the results of imposition after WWII.

Asia, with it’s vast population, will continue to pose challenges. But like all the nations of the world, working towards peace and an understanding of the need to respect diversity of all types, will best benefits people and reap the most positive rewards.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:55:35 +0000

Japan is a democratic nation separation of power is completely working,why should we afraid them as a tiger and keep them “pacified”nation. There are other dictatorship nations with nuclear armed forces, we should worry about these rouge nations.

By: James O'Neill

James O'Neill — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:16:13 +0000

I just finished watching your program and I found it to be one of the most interesting and thought provoking shows I have ever seen. Being almost obsessed with Japan all my life, I have followed the Japanese news for quite some time and have seen this evolving shift towards a far more militaristic state. While I understand the stance of the “Defense” minister, I think that anything that would go against or supersede Article 9 would be a tragedy. Article 9 is a brilliant beacon that shows the world that governments can be above war, and national welfare and interest can be maintained by political finesse rather than the brute force of a military. To say that Japan doesn’t have armed forces is foolish at best, but the use of those forces is saved only until self defense is required. I’m sorry for just spewing my opinions about this, but this program brought out such strong feelings that I had to voice them. In the end, this program was fantastic and I will tell everyone I know about it. And I will surely keep an attentive eye on the country I have come to love, now with an even better understanding. Thank you for a great show.

By: James O'Neill

James O'Neill — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:15:21 +0000

I just finished watching your program and I found it to be one of the most interesting and thought provoking shows I have ever seen. Being almost obsessed with Japan all my life, I have followed the Japanese news for quite some time and have seen this evolving shift towards a far more militaristic state. While I understand the stance of the “Defense” minister, I think that anything that would go against or supersede Article 9 would be a travesty. Article 9 is a brilliant beacon that shows the world that governments can be above war, and national welfare and interest can be maintained by political finesse rather than the brute force of a military. To say that Japan doesn’t have armed forces is foolish at best, but the use of those forces is saved only until self defense is required. I’m sorry for just spewing my opinions about this, but this program brought out such strong feelings that I had to voice them. In the end, this program was fantastic and I will tell everyone I know about it. And I will surely keep an attentive eye on the country I have come to love, now with an even better understanding. Thank you for a great show.

By: Wen Lee

Wen Lee — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:02:51 +0000

Once you let the tiger out the cage, you are at his mercy.

Janpan is an “ally” only because the US is pinning it down with the mighty military power. If Japan is allowed the develope its military at will, will match the US power in a couple of decades.

Why would Janpan follow the United States’ order then ?

It is the American’s best interest to keep Japan as a “pacified” nation.