Well, it’s been a while since Japan and China’s territorial dispute over an island but I just wanted to write about it. Just to, you know, inform.
“The stress level has increased”, says experienced Japanese fighter pilot, Atsushi ‘Riceman’ Takashi as tension between Japan and China continues to increase over the disputed islands called Senkaku by the Japanese and Diaoyu by the Chinese. Under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan has already placed a great importance on its national security and military force speaking out even more forcefully to its rival nation, China. Last year, Japan’s budget for military spending increased by 0.8%, the first time in 11 years. Purposely, this move is made by the Japanese administration to further increase Japan’s ability to protect its sovereignty and territory.
Territorial Dispute between China and japan over Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands
Source: google.com
After World War II molded Japan’s aggressive DNA, the once victorious Americans imposed constitutional limitations on Japan’s use of force to ensure that it would never again charge imperialist storm over its other neighboring Asian nations. Provided, that the US in return would defend Japan in times of national security threat. However, Abe pursued his desire to rewrite the constitution and its limitations to further extend Japan’s military might. With Japan’s military pursuit, the US voiced out its sentiments expressing its disapproval of the idea.
Japan’s hawkish Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
Source: http://gdb.voanews.com/
Japan’s decision to go on an offense rather than to stay defensive against its greatest rival, China, has led to some disagreement with its biggest ally—US. However, this choice has also led to Japan’s establishment of strong relationships and solid ties with other Asian nations that also see China as a threat. For example, India and Burma which are very cautious against China, highly regards Japan as a great contender to China’s military power. Moreover, the Philippines that has current territorial tension with China over some disputed isles and shoals in the South China Sea allied with Japan. This would in one way or another, contribute in securing the Philippines national sovereignty and territory having Japan on its side. Abe visited the Philippines last year of July and brought with him promises of 10 cutters to upgrade the Philippine coast guard. It is a promise signifying military alliance and coalition.
With the current territorial conflicts and state tensions between countries and states, the only thing states and nations can do is to maximize all its resources to secure and defend its territory and sovereignty from being endangered or worse, from being taken away. It can go from baring our nation’s muscles going into a combative stance if we know we’re strong enough to siding with some strong, muscled nations allying with them, if we think we’re too weak enough to carry the weight of conflict.
Source: The Return of Samurai, Time Magazine, October 7, 2013
YOUth can. 