Elite Japanese Special Forces “sniper” team are inserted in the field by helicopter. Japanese snipers can operate for weeks and months living off the land on rice rations, protein bars, fish and insects if need be. The are experts in stealth. Recognized and feared as some of the most dedicated soldiers in any military on earth. In part because of the Bushido code of the Samurai still lives in their blood. In WWII it took the drop of Atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to defeat the nation which would have never otherwise surrendered – because they have no concept of defeat in war – only self sacrifice even to the point of death!
On July 1st 2014 Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel issued a statement on Japan’s Collective Self-Defense Decision. The move is the most significant change in interpretation to its pacifist Constitution since the U.S.-written charter went into effect 67 years ago.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is defending his controversial push to reinterpret the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution. Under the new rules approved by the Cabinet Tuesday, Japan’s military would be allowed to exercise the right to “collective self-defense” and take offensive action in the region such as launching pre-emptive attacks against China for example in defense of the disputed Islands aka: the “Senkaku Islands.”
The islands are a group of uninhabited islands controlled by Japan in the East China Sea, which is contested by China. They are located roughly due east of Mainland China, northeast of Taiwan, west of Okinawa Island, and north of the southwestern end of the Ryukyu Islands.
Japan regards the islands as a part of the city of Ishigaki in Okinawa Prefecture.
Many consider the move a dangerous step towards Japan’s ability, under national law to wage war against China. This is generating a mixed reaction at home and abroad, especially in the countries that suffered from brutal Japanese colonialism in the first half of the 20th century, such as China which was absolutely ravaged by the tiny island nation of Japan during WWII.
See video: Comparison between Japanese Defense forces and Chinese military http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAZLZJ9bYvk
See video: How Japan has quietly reasserted its military power http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I817cuW3keQ
To give you a sense of the fanaticism and dedication of Japanese soldiers during WWII is Hiroo Onona. For 29 years, Onona survived on food gathered from the jungle or stolen from local farmers. After losing his comrades to various circumstances, Onoda was eventually persuaded to come out of hiding in 1974. But only after his former commanding officer traveled to Lubang to see him and tell him he was ordered to surrender.
See video: Hiroo Onoda, Japanese soldier who long refused to surrender, dies at 91 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jueo8tI0y2k
See video: Empire of Sun – Kamikaze pilots prepare to die! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUUyS_Tfjls
See video: Japanese Defense Force Martial Arts Training http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQAMqNoRoCA
Secretary Hagel’s comments are as follows:
“I welcome the Government of Japan’s new policy regarding collective self-defense, which will enable the Japan Self-Defense Forces to engage in a wider range of operations and make the U.S.-Japan alliance even more effective. This decision is an important step for Japan as it seeks to make a greater contribution to regional and global peace and security. The new policy also complements our ongoing efforts to modernize our alliance through the revision of our bilateral guidelines for defense cooperation.
The United States has an enduring interest in the Asia-Pacific’s peace and prosperity, and our alliance with Japan is critical to our strategy in the region. I look forward to discussing Japan’s decision with Defense Minister Onodera when he visits Washington next week.”
Source: DOD http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=16808