Re:Japan’s Parliament Approves Overseas Combat Role for Mili...
by nl on Saturday September 19, 2015 @03:22AM
(#10243587)
Abe went from being very cool on the TPP to coming out in favor (at least in public) almost overnight an the only thing that changed in that period in US-Japan relations was the US state department giving Japan approval to re-militarize. There were virtually no changes to the deal.
Abe has been on the path to rearming Japan since 2012[1][2].
The US has wanted Japan to rearm for years. See the articles in the NYT and the WSJ in 2013[3][4]. It's seen as a way to use Japanese money as a counter to China in the region. The fact they are likely to buy US weapons systems helps, too.
The way your comment is phrased makes me wonder if you think the US State department had some legal oversight of the clause or something? It doesn't - the legal basis for this change is completely in Japanese hands.
Abe has been on the path to rearming Japan since 2012[1][2].
The US has wanted Japan to rearm for years. See the articles in the NYT and the WSJ in 2013[3][4]. It's seen as a way to use Japanese money as a counter to China in the region. The fact they are likely to buy US weapons systems helps, too.
The way your comment is phrased makes me wonder if you think the US State department had some legal oversight of the clause or something? It doesn't - the legal basis for this change is completely in Japanese hands.
[1] http://www.cnbc.com/id/100293527
[2] http://www.therecord.com/opinion-story/2623282-is-japan-on-t...
[3] http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB100014241278873240817045782310...
[4] http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/08/world/asia/with-eye-on-chi...