Koizumi parrot-like?

[thomas]

What happened to Japan's self-ordained pacifism (apart from a handful of "human shields") ?

Reading the headlines of the past few days I was asking myself the same question (see below). I assume it's related to the fact that rebuilding a destoyed country is quite profitable.

Koizumi attacked for 'parrot-like' approval of US decision

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's instant announcement that the Japanese government supports the U.S.-led military action against Iraq came under fire from the opposition parties. "He (the prime minister) had been repeating that it was desirable to have a new resolution (to authorize the war on Iraq). Did something new happen to change his view?" Naoto Kan, leader of the largest opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), fumed. Japanese Communist Party leader Kazuo Shii also criticized Koizumi's lack of explanation of the reason the government decided to support the military action without the U.N. backing. "He failed to give us any reason why the government backs the war," Shii said. He later demanded Koizumi to retract his "shameful" support of the United States in a statement in which he accused the prime minister of "approving an arbitrary decision of America parrot-fashion." Takako Doi, leader of the Social Democratic Party of Japan and a known pacifist, believes Koizumi has made a grave mistake. "The prime minister has boarded a ship which he shouldn't have. Through his actions he has announced that he has parted company with the U.N.-centered diplomacy," Doi said. Japan publicly announced after the World War II defeat that its foreign policy will follow the U.N. diplomacy.

=> http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/news/20030...fp034001c.html

Koizumi backs Bush ultimatum threatening war on Iraq

=> http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content...at=9&id=253087

Koizumi unequivocal on Iraq war

=> http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/...20030319a2.htm

That's the best:

Koizumi puts U.S. alliance ahead of U.N.

=> http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/...20030319a3.htm

Koizumi vows support for Bush; Japan braces for U.S.-led war in Iraq

=> http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...n_japan_iraq_7

etc.

[thomas]

Koizumi fails to explain support for U.S. war on Iraq

=> http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content...at=9&id=253287

[align=center][/align]

Cabinet members listen to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi explain that Japan stands behind the United States during a Parliamentary debate in Tokyo Wednesday, March 19, 2003. Koizumi says President Bush's ultimatum was an 'unavoidable decision.' Koizumi has yet to spell out, however, how Japan might assist its main ally in the event of war of Iraq. Constitutional restrictions prevent Tokyo from sending troops to fight with U.S.-led forces.

=> http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...168/3k16o.html

[Hairyneville]

I've always wondered . . . is that a wig?

[Mas Oyama, Rikidozan]

Here is a repeat.

All of you guys don’t have a good understanding of Japan’s current situation. On Dec 18, 2001, a Japanese naval vessel attacked and sank a North Korean infiltration ship disguised a Chinese fishing boat. This is a trend of things to come. Ishihara Shintaro w/ Koizumi Junichiro are what I believe trying to circumvent the constitution by sending troops in to Iraq. They only held the GSDF back because of popular pressure. The Japanese have slowly eroding article 9 of their constitution but they must do so with subtlety. Japan gave $1 billion the cost from Americans will be $87 billion in taxpayer money. As you can see this is rather small compared to what the Americans are paying. Even South Korea already sent in troops but as politics go, at the same time Rumsfeld is doing a “realignment” of US troops in South Korea, another way of saying the US troops will pull out of Korea. Why? Simply math…. ROKA=437,000 troops, USFK=37,000. I believe the deal is this. US troops out of Korea and Korea will help with Iraq. That is what the US needs is not money but troops. The money that Koizumi gave is only a nominal contribution as to not commit with troops. You need your house painted and you seriously need help you got the paint but what you need is help painting. Here comes your next door neighbor (whom you borrow tools from and never return) and offers to give you a 5 gallon bucket of paint (of the wrong color) as his contribution to help, you just don’t reject it now do you. Trust me on this Japanese nationalism is on the rise, as long as Japan’s economy is down new leadership is now taking the reins to replace the old regime. Don’t believe me read it on www.foreignaffairs.org the article is not available on the internet but it is there on the NOV, DEC 2003 paperback issue.

In Machiavelli's the prince. The best and easiest way to power is through subtle means. By Koizumi wanting to send troops to Iraq is not for supporting the war on terror for America's sake but for Japan return to nationalism by expanding their influence in the world. Remember Japan is not a permanent member of the UN SECURITY COUNCIL. Remember South Korea sent in 3 division into Vietnam during the 1960's and the 1970's (which ROK troops performed much MUCH better than US troops). Why did Korea do this? On the outside to help America's war in Vietnam but in reality Korea did this to build their economy. Similar to how the US used World War II to get out of the Great Depression. Hence another point to mention is that during the Vietnam war, the Korean government refused to subordinate their commanders to US commanders. Korea supported the US on their own terms and for Korean interests. Japanese prime-minister Koizumi is not an idiot or a parrot but because he is looking like he is. He is a very skillful statesman.

[Sunrise]

ha ha...when i saw the title of this thread, i thought you people were discussing Koizumi's facial appearance (a parrot's)