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| Korea |
| Japan Report Warns of North Korea Threat |
| 2003-08-05 |
| Citing a threat by North Korea, a government report Tuesday urged improving the country’s missile systems and bolstering ties with the U.S. military. The study also suggested beefed up participation in U.N. peacekeeping missions, counter terrorism activities and the curbing of weapons of mass destruction. Terrorism dominated the Defense Agency’s annual report, which also urged the military to raise its international profile. The report also mumbled something about a "Co-Prosperity Sphere", whatever the heck that is. It cited North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs as one of Japan’s biggest security concerns, and recommended speeding up research on missile defense. Japan currently has 27 Patriot anti-missile batteries. But they can only down missiles with a shorter range and slower speed than the ballistic missiles North Korea is believed to be developing — including the Taepodong missile test-launched over Japan’s main island in 1998. Tokyo should continue relying on the 50,000 U.S. troops stationed here under a half-century-old bilateral security pact, Tuesday’s report said. Japan’s Defense Agency also raised concerns about China’s sharply expanding military budget. Japan’s overall defense budget remains among the world’s largest. In 2003, Japan expects to spend $41 billion on defense, down 0.1 percent from 2002 and less than 1 percent of its gross domestic product. "Let’s see, hummmm, Chinese budget bigger, Chinese acquiring more Russian weapons, North Koreans getting even goofier with bigger missiles — say, why don’t we cut our defense spending some more?" Critics say the government’s backing of a more active Japanese military signals a shift toward remilitarization and violates the country’s post-World War II pacifist constitution. Not for us to tell them, but the Japanese might want to consider an amendment to that constitution, just to see how quickly the Chinese would step on lil’ Kim. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #3 |
| Posted by: Steve White 2003-8-5 3:12:46 PM |
| #2 |
| Posted by: mojo 2003-8-5 10:11:40 AM |
| #1 |
| Posted by: ·com 2003-8-5 3:29:40 AM |