Why Japan Has No Military

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Music by Graham Haerther (www.Haerther.net)
Audio editing by Eric Schneider
Motion graphics by Vincent de Langen
Thumbnail by Simon Buckmaster
Writing & Direction by Evan
Thanks to Katzenland for the Vietnamese subtitle translation.
This includes a paid sponsorship which had no part in the writing, editing, or production of the rest of the video.
Music by Epidemic Sound: epidemicsound.com
Video supplied by Getty Images

[@PolyMatter]

Don't forget to subscribe to the Morning Brew newsletter for free: bit.ly/mbpolymatter2 - it's a great way to start your morning routine with the best and most interesting news stories of the day.

[@pyeitme508]

Meh 😑

[@austinchen1004]

Ok

[@thedarkdragon1437]

I wonder what you think of the fact that cold war, in all reality, didn't end. It just cooled down and then heated up again, when Russia started to rise to prominence, despite being under capitalist system like USA. While USA is autocracy hidden as democracy, russia is oligarchy hidden as autocracy and/or democracy

[@gabbagabbahey4928]

Your welcome

[@kingjoe3rd]

They do have a military. I know you explain it in your video but that doesn't change the fact that your title is a false statement. Stop writing lies in headlines because some people will see the video and the title but wont ever watch your video and then they will just think that false information is true. You are inadvertently spreading false information all because you want more people to watch the video which in turn makes you money. It's always about money. You make more money than 90% of the people in the entire world yet you still feel the need for clickbait? It's so trashy especially because it's an educational channel.

[@deleted_215]

It’s not an aircraft carrier, it’s simply a ship used for the transportation of planes!

[@ordinaryperson-my7qr]

ohh sorry, i thought it was aircraft carrier my bad 😅

[@yuirio8228]

And those catapults are for emergency evacuation only of course

[@kakahass8845]

It's not a gun it's a futuristic bow. It's not a bomb it's a metal water balloon. It's not a tank it's an aggressive car. I can keep going if you want.

[@abdiganiaden]

Before F35 there was no aircraft that can operate on it.

[@garretthaney9134]

It's not a "helicopter carrier". It's a "helicopter destroyer". It carries helicopters, and uses them to destroy things. Totally different. Also, it doesn't carry American F35s - it just lets them land and take off. They're just friendly like that.

[@Jasa12265]

"Japan, why do you have such large plutonium stockpiles?" Japan: "It's a surprise tool that will help us later"

[@Insigniume]

Lmaooooooooooo

[@gregzeng]

Fuel for power nuclear generation. Little need to import further uranium. Also, another export industry to compete with here in Australia, for supplying nuclear reactors.

[@matheussanthiago9685]

@@gregzeng aussies have nuclear reactors? I thought you guys only cared about coal

[@kappy330]

@@gregzeng Ever since the Fukushima incident, Japan has no active nuclear reactors for power generation.

[@empiricalpanzervii1556]

@@matheussanthiago9685 the Australians are looking to start building nuclear reactors for civilliolan and military use.

[@gibusspy5544]

"Japan, is that a battleship?" "No, no, is patrol boat!"

[@MajinOthinus]

No no no, it's a "coast guard vessel for special operations to protect the populous from anti-ship missile armed criminals".

[@randompirates4824]

"Is that a destroyer?" "No, No, that just a loli"

[@wtfbros5110]

GETS THOSE FUCKING PT BOATS

[@marcorodriguez8792]

Loli with a gun is very scary

[@benyangoimcinaking7062]

Don't look at Japan at your will. The Japanese are opposed to all kinds of wars. Even if it is for defense, the Japanese will oppose it. In fact, Japan has been invaded by South Korea, Russia, the United States, and China, but has not done anything. On the contrary, they even want a friendly relationship with them. Jesus Christ is Japanese people.

[@jerryye1060]

this made me realize, in Attack on Titan, there was a pact made by the king called "the vow of renouncing war" that basically made the island country a pacifist state. Interestingly, this idea was later on rejected by its citizens, and rapid militarization ensued, resulting in all-out war. Kind of cool to think that maybe the author was inspired by the current state of Japan.

[@rajeevjuneja5584]

The only thing is whether or not they have their eren.

[@tinanag0]

yeah in AoT there are lots of metaphor only Japanese would find at once like this

[@tekashiii]

Did you watch the video?? Japanese people are not wanting war right now what are you talking about

[@IdOnThAvEaUsE69]

@@tekashiii The commenter isn't talking about the Japanese Military, they're talking about AoT. Also, it's highly likely that due to tension and internal conflict... Japan will eventually become a "normal country." But hey! That's just a theory - A WORLD THEORY.

[@smuggymcsmugface2142]

If you have basic knowledge of Japanese history and politics, the parallels in Attack on Titan become painfully obvious. This is also why there are allegations of "fascist subtext" in the series.

[@TheHuntermj]

Your pronunciation of Shinzo Abe's name has brought Japan and the USA closer to war.

[@chadam917]

They might want to build a few more "helicopter destroyers" before that rematch

[@user-xs6xl4ih4k]

I may have misunderstood,I wanted to say that there would be no war,I have no vocabulary,sorry:'-(

[@npw9648]

@@user-xs6xl4ih4k Unfortunately I think everyone thought your words as sarcasm and a reference back to the video itself.

[@iche9373]

Thanks for the joke, Captain Weeb.

[@vaffangool9196]

*No advanced economy* would stoop to defend their national pride against something so petty. Japan is not a shit country like Russia or China, at least we can vote our nationalist bastards out.

[@s.p5159]

Ah yes, Abraham Shinzo, Prime Minister of Japan

[@jiahuilai608]

Yes, the one and only "Abe"Shinzo🤣 I was about to call that out as well

[@egehannalbant5572]

I misheard "Ape Shinzo" at first

[@ravenlord4]

He screwed up "diet" as well. The "i" should be like a long e.

[@sinoroman]

Abraham Shiningzoo

[@iamdmc]

It's not pronounced "Abe" as in "Abraham" it's "ah-bey" as in Shinzo Abe

[@AllPileup]

I admire his dedication of researching everything except the pronunciation of the former PM’s full name

[@ahmadniam3568]

He's researching everything so throughoutly to the point when he can roast a Prime Minister as "Ape" Shinzo

[@twotimes2648]

Why does it matter, it’s not like a Japanese person can pronounce an America name

[@cooltwittertag]

​@@twotimes2648are you racist or just uneducated? Or both?

[@moonglum1015]

Another really interesting presentation, thank you. I live in Japan so this topic was especially of interest.

[@EduardoSanchez-un2hh]

Their 'special defense forces' exist only in case godzilla wakes up.

[@dannytran2134]

Or if a gate which leads to a alternate universe opens up.

[@Oropher420]

@@dannytran2134 lol nice reference.

[@sasshiro]

@@Oropher420 what movie or anime is that?

[@shabarishogan1393]

@@sasshiro I think the anime name is Gate

[@Oropher420]

@@sasshiro Anime. Gate: And Thus The JSDF Fought.

[@RegaDega]

Hearing Shinzo Abe’s name being pronounced like his full name is “Abraham Shinzo” caught me completely off guard 😆 Edit 7/8/22- R.I.P. Shinzo Abe

[@ThaKenMan]

Same lol can you imagine if that was his real name?

[@davidng8732]

I'm going to start calling him Abe as in Abraham and watch my poli sci/poli nerd friends' heads explode.

[@iamdmc]

It's not pronounced "Abe" as in "Abraham" it's "ah-bey" as in Shinzo Abe

[@Moses_VII]

@@iamdmc more like a-beh, with a silent h

[@takix2007]

@@iamdmc even "Abe" as Lincoln's nickname is not pronounced as in "Abraham"...

[@MieyakoTv22]

Only PolyMatter will make hooked you even if it is 1hr documentation or story telling vids ... More power and looking forward for more interesting videos... Love how u narrate it, very relaxing and the slide shows presentations are superb ...

[@terrestrialextra4790]

Poly, my man, this is my third time going through all your videos and I'm finally getting around to thumbs up'ing them all but you, along with ReaLifeLore, are my two favorite Geopolitical channels. Good shit, keep it up and more videos plz! Also Good Times, Bad Times and CaspianReport are good channels too, despite some slight bias

[@ShortHax]

2050: Japan builds Gundam

[@klm9440]

Japanese empire 2

[@kgjung2310]

Finally, the dream comes true. But, will we have young teenagers piloting them?

[@Phamtom009]

...calls them "Super Special Vehicles"

[@guywithabatpic]

@@kgjung2310 what would be the point of a Gundam if not to endanger the lives of young teenagers.

[@vtpskc6041]

I think I've seen you

[@haldir108]

Hearing the prime minister's name pronounced as Aijb, rather than Ah-beh was a fucking bullet to my ear.

[@sinoroman]

RIP

[@voltgaming2213]

A bay

[@ec1480]

"Aijb"

[@zed7060]

You mean Abe? Wtf is aijb

[@mwanikimwaniki6801]

@@zed7060 Probably a slav... J is read as y...

[@Hand-in-Shot_Productions]

I found this video quite informing! Thanks for the information! Subscribed! Also, I think you would have already heard many of the other commenters say this, but the "Abe" in "Abe Shinzo" is pronounced "Ah-bay" ("A" like the "O" in "Octagon", "E" like the "A" in "Bay"). Just wanted to let you know, and something tells me you do!

[@visassess8607]

It's amazing how quickly bitter enemies work together when facing another enemy. After the surrender people were already talking about using Wehrmacht troops against Russia and having former German troops and officials in the new West Germany. Also the British worked with Imperial Japanese soldiers in Malaysia and the US rearmed them a little in the Korean War.

[@-20.41]

During the Korean War, Japan's economy improved as it served as a military factory. If it had not been for the Korean War, Japan would have fallen far behind now. Tragedy for some, hope for others...

[@mokongthe3856]

Japan:"Guys stop! It's not a military, It's a _self defence_ force" "So a military then" Japan: "No... a _self defence_ force"

[@mwanikimwaniki6801]

Lol. I watched your comment transition from the original to edited. Pretty interesting.

[@watb8689]

China is a self defence force then

[@michaeljonathan9715]

@@watb8689 Tibet and Taiwan that been attacked by China for having diffrerent culture : '_'

[@chsingw2047]

@@michaeljonathan9715 I don't know about Tibet, but Taiwan definitely shares the same culture with mainland China.

[@eyar163]

@@michaeljonathan9715 attacked??? Proof 🤡

[@flemishnationalist-prayfor9809]

'Self-defence forces' That's just a military with extra steps.

[@shivanshna7618]

Or with one less step

[@ark5906]

Military with attitude

[@shivanshna7618]

Reminds me of indian para military forces like ITBP who are not army on paper but are Hardened to point that real army soilders will not stand chance and they're like 300k of them especially made to fight in mountains so technically not a army

[@shivanshna7618]

@@user-op8fg3ny3j there is no war in ba sing sai

[@kgjung2310]

Hmm. Does Japan have an organization that has a monopoly on the use of force and military grade weaponry? Does it have such forces organized in sections, platoons, companies, battalions, regiments, brigades, divisions, corps, armies, army groups, theaters, etc. or something similar? Are members of these organizations themselves arranged in a an ascending ranking order like enlisted, NCOs, officers, general officers and tend to wear uniforms to identify themselves as part of said organization? Does the organization exist to defend the people and fight for their national interests as determined by their leadership? Sounds like a military to me. Just because you hide behind America's shield, doesn't make you any less a military or having an army. Also, by Japan's definition, Japan has never invaded China. They only "advanced" into China as if they accidentally went over the border and forgot to leave the country for several years. Oopsie.

[@yipengguo2732]

Randomly pick a country in East Asia, throw it to another region, it will simply overwhelm that region. Even the weakest Taiwan, is ranking the top 2(if not 1) if it is put to South America, Africa or Oceania.

[@danghoangluong2942]

The weakest is actually North Korea(w/o nukes)

[@danghoangluong2942]

Taiwan can totally beat any South American country militarily! They have an overwhelming large fleet of F-16. Brazil doesn't have any fighter aircraft

[@s.i.m.c.a]

@@danghoangluong2942 would with the one, who able to produce them .... not the one who possesses

[@FOLIPE]

There are what, five or six countries in East Asia? They are all massive in population and fear each other, of course their military is powerful. If they were anywhere else they'd not be as strong as they are now as there'd be no reason to

[@QWERTY-gp8fd]

mongolia disagrees

[@Erikatharsis]

I'm fully expecting PolyMatter to pronounce JP names a bit differently in the next video, perhaps paying more mind to pronunciation guides. Even with great presentation overall, and quality research overall, pronunciation of names can still be a shibboleth of credibility… As evidenced by the dozens if not hundreds of comments on this video pointing out PolyMatter's pronunciation of the former PM of Japan.

[@seacresthill]

I was really surprised to hear polymatter mispronounce “Abe” Shinzo

[@bottledwaterprod]

Tbh that really pulled me out of the video. Like it's comically mispronounced. His name isn't Abraham! Lol

[@L33TH4XM8]

I think last video he mentioned Tōhoku region of Japan and he said it too hoo ku which was pretty funny to hear as a Japanese person. It's understandble because it is not very well know but yea he should do more research on pronunciation no offense lol

[@avinashtyagi2]

@@L33TH4XM8 I'm of South Asian Descent, so I'm used to most Americans mispronouncing words and names from South Asia. I'm not surprised that they would have trouble with Japanese pronunciations.

[@gregzeng]

> " ... mispronounce “Abe” Shinzo" Most non-English people do not know how to use their spoken languages, into vocally correct English. It is comically funny how these foreigners learnt the vocal A-B-C. The native English speaking person like myself, is always correct in using written English. The incorrectness was in the first creator of the this original spelling: “Abe” Shinzo.

[@seacresthill]

@@gregzeng That’s an extremely Anglo-centric and entitled way of thinking.

[@militaryav8r]

In English, his name is spoken as Shinzo Abe. In Japanese it’s Abe Shinzo. (Abe is the family name) In either case, it’s pronounced more like “Ah-Bey” rather than the short version of Abraham. Great video though.

[@hexa3389]

I always thought that Shinzo was the family name. Damn trolled twice.

[@caiocclt1]

Any version can be seen as correct, since different languages will differ in pronunciation. Pronouncing words as you would in your native language is an acceptable grammatical form, although it might sound weird to speakers of that foreign language

[@militaryav8r]

@@caiocclt1 In this sense… I disagree though. Shinzo Abe’s name is said often enough in English public forums around the world and is consistently spoken as Ah-bey, not Abe as in Abraham. So this is neither how he himself pronounces it in his native tongue or the common pronunciation of any other tongue… at some point you just have to draw the line and say it’s incorrect.

[@santi2683]

It's "ah-beh" not "ah bey" there no Y sound at the end

[@leezhieng]

actually Japan's foreign minister requested foreign press to use Abe Shinzo instead of Shinzo Abe.

[@hepsima]

Best videos on youtube. Love the presentation style!

[@rubes3927]

Loving these mini series’

[@iafozzac]

It took me a second to realize who you were referring to when you said "Eib" Shinzo

[@dalecn2417]

Surprised the UK has the second largest stockpile of Plutonium

[@senrogas387]

Substitute for tea

[@freeassange5667]

Why do they have it? For weapons or for energy or both?

[@EchoingHell]

@@freeassange5667 for banter, to be honest

[@chico9805]

@@freeassange5667 We got it just in case France starts getting rowdy, and if you've seen the news recently, they're doing exactly that...

[@nomastersnogods9303]

'Anglos caused most of the world's problems' - David Cameron, British Prime Minister, 2010-2016 Anglo caused centuries-long notorious global - - Slavery, - Colonialism, - Colonization, - World War I, - World War II, and the list goes on. Among the five main Anglo nations of Britain, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, all but Britain is looted from others.

[@07derka]

Whenever he pronounces the Abe in Shinzo Abe like Abe in Abe Lincoln, i die inside

[@nomastersnogods9303]

The fact that we get free documentaries on KZbin by PolyMatter is truly a gift 👍 👍 👍

[@ShawayFH]

as polymatter strays away from China, he goes on a long journey of finding a new country to target, and it seems like Japan might be a worthy candidate

[@Kaybossboi]

He probably got bored talking about China

[@ViewsFromJames]

He should shift to the Middle East or African countries

[@user-vv7ir1pl4j]

@@Kaybossboi or the Cia funding went short

[@pancakesbf2704]

*from China and Singapore

[@pancakesbf2704]

@@ViewsFromJames Or Eastern European countries

[@hellishgengar2473]

Great video, quick note however. Shinzo's last name is Abe his father was Shintaro Abe who was formerly foreign minister.

[@jeff__w]

12:36 “The current government defines _pacifism_ as a verb…whereas the majority of the public think of it as an adjective…” Um, isn’t _pacifism_ a noun?

[@borrrden]

This threw me as well. I think what he was getting it as that the majority of the public thinks pacifism is something you are, not something that you do (loosely).

[@sdpoll]

That plus pronunciation of Abe makes me question how accurate his other claims are

[@Leonlion0305]

I am not surprising that Japan has the same amount of funding for the military as it is mentioned in previous video. However, what surprises me is how Taiwan is able to maintains its military budget despite many US arms sales and military development (e.g. submarines and missiles iirc) in recent years

[@LordCoeCoe]

The JSDF is one of the only paramilitary force that hasn't been in any wars lol.

[@LordCoeCoe]

@پیاده نظام خان The Imperial Japanese Army (pre-WW2) was abolished after WW2 and a in 1960 I think the JSDF was formed. They had a paramilitary police force for 2 decades, I think it was called the National Police Reserve. So you can't really compare the former IJA (Imperial Japanese Army) with the modern JSDF.

[@LordCoeCoe]

@پیاده نظام خان true, but tbh. Everyone who fought in WW2 is either close to death or already dead. I think that recently a grandma was convicted for being a guard at Auschwitz I think. Convictions should happen a few decades after the fact. Not 100 years after the fact happened. We gotta stop being stuck in the past cause I am 100% certain that in 10 years. Every person who lived during WW2 will be dead. What they have done was atrocious, but let’s not condemn future generations for the sins of their ancestors.

[@shazzatulanam6680]

@پیاده نظام خان i am pretty sure those who were convicted were either executed or jailed though some were pardoned because they were considered valuable.and some others were blacklisted and they could not get government jobs.

[@npw9648]

@@shazzatulanam6680 They were re-blacklisted later on when the Korean war start and US needed Japan to rearm

[@ttemp2631]

@@LordCoeCoe There are still living memories For example grandparents passes memories to children and granchildren. Anectdotal: a converation in a chinese train carriage in changsha and after 15 minutes the whole carriage joins the conversation. memories are still very much alive

[@ryersongorman5237]

We don't have the Department of War anymore, but we have the Department of Defense; same mission just a different name. :)

[@davidchew6449]

Almost all countries do not have a Department of 'War' and all have change to Ministry of 'Defense'.

[@ryersongorman5237]

@@davidchew6449 It is true, usually the organizational name reflects the purpose,s not the mission.

[@itsdanielmac]

You are THE man

[@shreyanshbhatt351]

What do you do for a living?

[@ThinkpadNerd]

"... an abstract concept like peace" Me, sitting peacefully on my couch: "Seems pretty real to me"

[@stefanocapparelli4997]

It's not an aircraft carrier!!! It's a ship that can carry aircrafts

[@maxthexpfarmer3957]

If I had a small enough aircraft, I could land it on a normal boat too! This one just happens to be big, so fighter planes happen to be able to land on it!

[@MadManchou]

Beside the joke, Japan's carriers really aren't the same thing as a US or Chinese carrier. Because they're not CATOBAR or even STOBAR, aircraft operating off of them need the ability to take off vertically. Hence why they carry helicopters and F-35s. However a helicopter is really not anywhere near a match for a fighter jet, and VTOL operation on any fighter jet is itself a compromise that forces to give up payload, range and performance, which makes them no match for a CATOBAR-launched fighter, much less a land-based fighter. So Japan calling them "helicopter destroyers" is actually not ridiculous at all. They serve a different purpose and are inherently much more defensive than a "traditional" aircraft carrier.

[@ShinSheel]

Russian "Admiral Kuznetsov" energy - it can carry rockets, so it's a rocket cruiser that carries planes, not an air carrier

[@patthonsirilim5739]

@@MadManchou the f35b changes all that it has more payload more range and combat ability then any other stobar fighter on the market it even gives 4gen catobar a run for its money when it comes to endurance range and payload like f18 and rafale only beaten by its sibling the f35c the russian and indians su33k mig 29k and chinese j15 all have limited payload and fuel operating from the stobar carrier compare to there land counterpart even in the longest run way lunch setup it does not have the fuel to macth the f35b the f35b can lunch with full payload and fuel while the stobar fighter canot do both and often have to make scrafice to fuel or munition no to mention f35b being stealth and having far more superior avionics then any stobar fighter in the market stvol carrier and stobar carrier now have very little difference in capability since they both similary rely on helo aew and logistical surrport stobar use to have limited advatage of carrying more capable fighter then stvol carrier which use to carry only harriers but with the introduction of f35b now stvol carrier can carry a more effective aircraft that stobar carriers so in sense today russian chinese and indian stobar carriers are only bigger then the carriers like japan izumo or america class

[@ovojohn]

Oi Stefano, como tá a Holanda?

[@aliensinmyass7867]

"The former prime minister ABE SHINZO" OH MY GOD WHY

[@mra.prasetio]

Oh lol

[@Alepfi5599]

This video seems so well researched. And then the pronunciation of "Abe" hits.

[@KravMagen]

Nice point of view; thanks for your point out. Just, who / how is it possible if you do not have the defensive power? Will you leave your home without locking your perimeter approach?

[@dsolis7532]

This is very interesting for me coming from a country with no army at all. In Costa Rica there is a lot of pride on not having soldiers and on deciding to abolish the army after WWII

[@nzx.]

It's pretty easy to be in that position when no one wants/needs to attack you. But nevertheless an interesting country.

[@akale2620]

Isn't costa rico just some off shore part of us? You have an army, the us one

[@mojabaka]

@@akale2620 This is peak r/shitamericanssay.

[@akale2620]

@@mojabaka you know, when I said us, I didn't mean like we , us; I meant United States us. I'm not even american, I'm asian

[@stephenjenkins7971]

@@mojabaka You don't need to be an American to recognize an obviius geopolitical reality. Only countries under a geopolitical sphere has the ability to NOT have a military. Costa Rica happens to he under the US one. Everyone knows an invasion of any country in the Americas comes with the addendum of a US fleet interfering.

[@jaredgup6537]

To quote patlabor 2, "Ever since hypocrites have made peace their just cause, we've lost faith in that peace. Just as wars give rise to peace. Peace also gives rise to war. An empty hollow peace that defines itself as 'not war' will eventually be replaced by something that is a state of war in all but name." Perhaps this quote provides a vivid perspective of at least how director Mamoru Oshii viewed the role of Japan in the cold war and it's continuing challenges today in the political establishment of Japan defining the need of the JSDF.

[@kgjung2310]

Without a military, how will Japan ever build those cool helicopter gunships like in the movie?

[@williamadiputra2850]

Great writing for an anime

[@weirdofromhalo]

"Si vis pacem, para bellum."

[@kothemagica]

I mean before 1939 Britain and France tried very had to not go to war with Germany in an attempt to maintain "peace" and we know how that went

[@ernstschmidt4725]

i read this and i see not a critique to pacifism but a critique to japanese "self-defence" mental gymnastics. sadly, things haven't changed at all since Oshii wrote that, in fact thing may have become worse with the japanese establishment pushing the increase of military spending and legitimization of war capacities. the new aircraft carriers are just the cherries on top of that. IMO, japan does fine by being under the wing of US defence, it saves them a lot of trouble.

[@siddharthlachhwani1]

On one hand , I really like yours elaborate and factious explanation. But on the other hand , Always think, it would be more easy to understand at first, than to pause and replay it , just to correlate between facts , theory and dramatized explanation . Well .....it's just an observation, but if you like you can take it as a suggestion.

[@sneedchuckington]

My therapist: Funny pronunciation of Shinzo Abe can't hurt you. 10:10

[@marufhassan634]

The fact that Japan & Germany are kept in check by US to keep there military forces as low as possible and every military purchase is overseen shows how powerful these nations alone were during WW2 and they can become the same in case of WW3.

[@Grubiantoll]

I think there have been societal change aswell in these, but true, Japan was to anyone non Japanese about as scary as SS unit to a young Jewish girl I would gues that after war generation didn't have the luxury of never knowing or shoving the shit that happened under the rug similar to Germany. Unlike USSR and Communist China where the governments never did anything bad. it Seems that if you are being quite an asshole you need to get your teeth kicked in for you to start showing some change

[@chiefjudge8456]

The fact that they were allowed to retain sovereignty shows how morally superior the US was at the time too. If the shoe were on the other foot, the "United States" wouldn't exist.

[@quanghuyvo6112]

@@chiefjudge8456 "The fact that they were allowed to retain sovereignty shows how morally superior the US was at the time too" good joke bro both country nowday it notthing but the us vassal and liter with us base they cant do anything with out us consent

[@karenwang313]

The world has changed in 80 years, and Germany's and Japan's populations are nowhere near large enough to wage total war the way china other Asian countries can. Hopefully Germany will continue to decline until it can no longer negatively impact the world.

[@nayeemhaider8367]

@@chiefjudge8456 US literally nuked Japan lol. And deciding to make Japan and West Germany into independent states wasnt based on morality. It was a strategy to combat communism. Had they oppressed those people, they'd start rebelling and big daddy russia would've swooped in with weapons and cash. Japan has a rugged terrain like Afghanistan so while America could fight there for decades, the result would be the same. Alternatively, they could repeatedly use nukes, but that would do cause irreparable harm to America's reputation and serve as good Soviet propaganda

[@Yunghamz]

'We are not military. We are a special defense force. There's no need to charge us the same rents the other actual military bases pay :)' Djibouti: 😒

[@opioo.5953]

Informative video. Now you need to do a video on the book “Paekche’s Principle: The Great Secret of Asia”

[@johndelong5574]

Transformers were a popular Japanese toy in the 70s. Belaying a strategy allowing adapting of Civil manufacturing into military quickly.

[@katm9877]

You mention a ban on civilian technology and research with military applications. Considering nearly any civilian technology can be militarized.... how do they continue to research and develop??

[@auliamate]

Toyota Prius Gundam coming soon

[@cks2k2]

usually its the other way round: r&d from military trickle down to civilian applications i.e. the internet, GPS etc I know that University of Tokyo and many other top-ranked Japanese unis explicitly ban research that has potential military use

[@SkyWKing]

They outsource military research overseas. In U.S. universities you can see lots of familiar Japanese names sponsoring militarizable technology.

[@handson4580]

Outsourcing

[@benyangoimcinaking7062]

In Japan, research funds will be discontinued when military diversion is possible. As a result, the technology will be bought and beaten by countries such as the United States, China, and South Korea, so in the end it will be diverted to military use in those countries ...

[@VesperR8]

Always make my day when I see a new PolyMatter video.

[@leponpon6935]

10:11 the former PM "Abe" Shinzo... as in "Abe" Lincoln XD very well made video btw

[@digzgwentplayer4159]

Why? Because underground, there's an army of Gundams ready for dispatch. It will be an epic show when WW3 comes out.

[@goji-0045]

Wait til 50 zakus come up the ground in ww3

[@digzgwentplayer4159]

@@goji-0045 Japan only needs one to rekt their neighbors.

[@zibbitybibbitybop]

Not that you're likely gonna re-record it at this point, but Abe's name is pronounced "ah-bay", not like the English name Abe.

[@vvCHaOSvv]

Not "ah-bay", but rather "ah-beh".

[@sinoroman]

@@vvCHaOSvv both better than English Abe name

[@benservey9295]

the first time i heard this jut kinda ignored it, but the second time got me

[@EnigmaticLucas]

If you're going to correct someone's pronunciation, at least use the IPA instead of that BS

[@-1081]

@@vvCHaOSvv There's actually no h in both of those as it would make the pronunciation like "Aabee" which is wrong. If it's a Romaji, then the pronunciation is the literal spelling of it. There is no additional syllables or silent letters, just the literal pronunciation of it, which is why it's supposed to be "A-be"

[@jamesng7320]

Japan has the luxury of debating such things because the US guarantees to protect them. If no one was going to protect them, I'm sure the pacifist attitude would soon change.

[@PrograError]

well ... you want WWII japan that's how you get WWII japan-lite...

[@willblack8575]

@@PrograError lol no...thats dumb

[@stephenjenkins7971]

@@PrograError I don't think that's fair to Japan's current society to assume it will just...revert.

[@jjw3046]

​@Stephen Jenkins It's absolutely fair, they don't teach their students much about WW2 besides Hiroshima and their own victimhood narrative, so there's an information vacuum and no one knows why their neighbors "love to hate them." Their ruling party has been the right-wing LDP almost uninterrupted since 1955 and many of their pre-war leaders were rehabilitated and enabled by the US during the occupation to fight Communism and the Japanese Left. Plenty of business leaders and governors and prime ministers have denied that war crimes took place, without much domestic pushback. Also more directly one of Nippon Kaigi's (an organization that the LDP is closely affiliated with) primary aims even in 2021 is to revise Article 9, restore emperor worship, and whitewash history education. Not to mention Abe himself wanted to revise Article 9. Their electorate is relatively apathetic and the majority who do vote choose the LDP and conservatism because it's stable and status quo, even younger voters voted for the far-right Ishin no Kai this time, so you can't just rely on "oh young Japanese people living in the big cities are more open-minded and progressive" because that phenomenon doesn't exist in Japan like it does in the West. Plus the fact that China is becoming stronger and more belligerent itself would give Japan the perfect excuse to re-arm under the guise of self-defense and regional peacekeeping. By analogy, imagine if Germany hadn't been de-Nazified, the Holocaust wasn't common knowledge, and Angela Merkel and her party were Neo-Nazis, would you then still say with confidence that Germany had absolutely NO chance of reverting after having started 2 world wars? If you don't learn from history you'll repeat it.

[@stephenjenkins7971]

@@jjw3046 That's a simplification because the culture is radically different; I agree that Japan whitewashes much of their history, and that's bad - but that's not the same as having and excusing a militaristic society that endorses imperialism again. You even mentioned it in your post; certain elements in the Japanese government are TRYING to revoke Article 9...while China is being aggressive right next door! The culture of living peacefully has been so ingrained that it has yet to actually be removed in a time of rising tensions. Yet you act like this pacifism means it will become fascism in a dime?

[@PuneetMehra]

THis voice speed is best. Thanks.

[@alparslankorkmaz2964]

Nice video.

[@JakeLYT]

A much awaited PolyMatter video, the perfect way to end my workday ❤️

[@Jackie815]

Everything was going right until he said 'abe' LoL 😂

[@lilaccident4493]

Fr idk if i can continue watching now lmao immediately paused and checked the comments.

[@michaelk4896]

@@lilaccident4493 lmao same, I can't take it seriously anymore.

[@heuhen]

Japan have aircraft carrier now. JS Izumo and her sister ship, have been converted into a light aircraft carrier. Japan do have an military, but they call it self defense force, something they are changing rapidly. And can already notice some of the changes. for example, Japan have placed a couple of missile batteries in a more offensive position, on one of the islands that are close to Taiwan

[@jaysonkmendoza]

Great points! Though I disagree still that they have no military. They have a clearly defined navy, airforce, and army with distinct military equipment and cultures. In that regard it does rank quite well among world militaries. However, you are very correct that their military has lots of holes and may find their performance constrained in a war. Their military design is quite defensive and would struggle to operate any distance from their shores their training is also defensive oriented and has gaps. If they found themselves in a war they would have some hard lessons to learn fast. Though their forces are strong enough to act as a deterrent. That force wouldn’t need long to fill in the gaps either since they have a strong foundation of equipment and training to build on.

[@handson4580]

good thing America is more then happy to teach them!

[@hwdprtn7670]

Yes. It’s impossible for a non-military force to have fighter jets or destroyers, while Japanese SDF have both.

[@JesPulido]

The best defense is... a good defense system.

[@malcolmmacinnis247]

Sounds like Japan rushed it's town hall and can't participate in clan war ;-;

[@El.Gatito.]

No, it is that one maxed TH13 guy in the middle of a TH10 clan that does basically nothing except chat and donate

[@StreetDrilla]

Japan aint rushed bruh, They maxed out

[@chan6565]

That game is still alive?

[@myd_4260]

@@chan6565 yep, for some reason it regain popularity. At least from what I saw in my country and circle of friends

[@myoptimumpride5178]

They are maxed out but they cant participate.

[@toslt]

Loving that pronunciation of 'Abe'

[@exodus5751]

"The rising sun was never shut out when the bombs fell, only the curtains were closed. One day they will open again..."

[@user-uk8nf8jv6u]

The anti-war spirit of the Japanese is probably the strongest in the world. It will probably not change even if the SDF becomes an army. First of all, since war is defined by the logic that "war = evil", there are few films in which "fighting for justice" is simply expressed. For Japanese people, the most famous "battle film/TV" is "Ultraman", "Kamen Rider", "Space Battleship Yamato" and "Gundam", but in all of them, the depiction of "war is wrong in the first place" or "the villain has their own reasons" is more important than the depiction of "justice wins the war". "war = evil", even if it is a war against aliens. it have to portray the protagonist as not being right as well, if you don't want to portray it as a tragedy, otherwise you will be criticised. "Independence Day" is also popular in Japan, but it is understood because it is an "American" film and assumes American logic; if it had featured a japanese prime minister instead of a american president, or the Self-Defense Forces instead of American soldiers, it would have been controversial.

[@_china_trungquoc9534]

...

[@pantsukami3371]

@@hochigaming14yearsago90 I don't know what kind of people you are talking to about that, but majority of people who call you "korean spy" or "chinese" ,im betting aren't japanese. Never have i seen ANYONE boast about japan's old military, japan has lots of problems such as black companies and the fact that it's too serious about the idea of society to a fault but military is pretty much a taboo subject, it won't be brought up in most circumstances.

[@user-uk8nf8jv6u]

@@hochigaming14yearsago90 Why do you think things are the way they are without excluding the staging by Chinese propaganda? The government has apologised for the Nanking incident. The Prime Minister has been apologising for decades. There are neo-Nazis in Germany, there is white supremacy in South Africa. Why do you focus only on the extreme right wing to criticize Japan? I am describing the "general theory" of the Japanese, not the part of the group you are focusing on. Besides, what does this "past war" have to do with the "modern view" of war? It seems to me that you are connecting unrelated topics in order to force a connection to the racism of "Japanese are bad".

[@hochigaming14yearsago90]

@@user-uk8nf8jv6u trust me, i dont want to sound like a racist. I am not. But it's pretty evidently clear that, since kids are brainwashed by schools to think that they were righteous, a majority of Japanese people hide their defunct nationalism. Neonazis are a minority. Japanese Imperialist revisionaries are a majority, and they hide it.

[@user-uk8nf8jv6u]

​@@hochigaming14yearsago90 >Japanese Imperialist revisionaries are a majority, and they hide it NO EVIDENCE lol almost every kid learn about japanese(and tiwanese/korean) soldier did in china/south asia. no one think imperial japan was a justice. the difference is that no one think allies are also not a justice(because war is bad and the air rade&atomic bomb&okinawa&soviet&tokyo cort was cringe). Hide what? what are we hiding? what brainwash? stop lying. Just as the neoNazis are a minority, revisionist extreme right-wingers are minority. you must be tired of watching all those videos on KZbin.

[@listen1st267]

"Abe Shinzo" lol the Japanese Abraham Lincoln 😂😂😂😂 Shinzo Abe's surname is pronounced "aw-bae"

[@kgjung2310]

Abe is no Abraham.

[@listen1st267]

@@kgjung2310 fair

[@-1081]

Nope, you pronounce romaji characters literally, so it's supposed to be "A-be". Not "Ah-beh", not "Ah-bey", not "Aw-bae" nor "Aw-be". Just "A-be" And to clarify, 'Romaji' means Japanese words romanized

[@hpsmash77]

its aa-bei

[@bobboberson8297]

You mistakenly used a chinese font for the japanese text you used in this video. For example at 4:10 it should look like 警察予備隊 (assuming this appears on your screen in a japanese font, the 4th character has the most obvious difference. if it looks the same as in the video then copy paste it into google jp or something and compare). Not a big deal though since they're very similar

[@bobboberson8297]

@@blt8201 Yeah 組 was the one that made me go "this is a chinese font for sure"

[@nepsaho]

I can feel Shinzo Abe's fuming rage all the way from Japan from Polymatter repeatedly mispronouncing his name over and aver again

[@tincan8979]

Now you can’t

[@imsomewhatcertain1024]

As I said in the comment section of the previous video. Japan’s military should try the anime approach; angsty suicidal teenagers in weaponized mech suits.

[@auliamate]

Russia, China and North Korea could never.

[@finger3215]

Evangelion.

[@benyangoimcinaking7062]

The Japanese don't want to spend money on stupid things like the army.

[@tykep1009]

Not many people understand the problem of pacifism in Japan, so I appreciate this video.

[@freshfrozen7612]

they try to shove their past warcrimes and attrocities under the rug and make people forget, and also the usa promises to protect them in return of all the research from japans unit 731

[@tykep1009]

@@freshfrozen7612 That can't be a reason to justify your atrocities, commy.

[@freshfrozen7612]

@@tykep1009 my attrocities? wtf are you on about?

[@freshfrozen7612]

@@tykep1009 you seem to be in denial for some reason lol

[@deadby15]

One can call it in any way s/he likes, but the fact Japan hasn't killed a single human being in combative situations for effing 75 yrs is significant in itself.

[@brianfong5711]

10:10 The "e" is never silent in Japanese, it is "ay" So his name is pronounced "Ahbay" not "Abe"

[@user-pn3im5sm7k]

Not true. 「え」is pronounced as "eh" Ah-beh ✅ ah-bey❌

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

This is what a BA in Linguistics gives you:

[@cooliipie]

gives*

[@PakBallandSami]

hi

[@rufioh]

That pronunciation of Shinzo Abe was wild

[@randomstuff5562]

Peace is something that everyone desires, but there is a big difference between desire and reality, To leave in peace we must prepare for war

[@mikel9138]

@پیاده نظام خان and Iraq invaded Kuwait, so what?

[@handson4580]

@پیاده نظام خان wheres your peace truck?

[@Morbisus]

Ah yes, my favorite prime minister "Eyb" Shinzo

[@vaninx2000]

Si vis pacem, para bellum - If you want peace, prepare for war. The opposite implies that if you want war, prepare for peace.

[@purplebrick131]

Will we ever get a video on the english Internet about germany, which literally does the same, sometimes even more extremely? Comparing the three axis powers in how they commemorate, teach and take responsibility for what happened would be a good video idea

[@linus8131]

@@OkarinHououinKyouma even if we did, by now we'd probably get clapped even by poland alone lol

[@joshuakevinserdan9331]

@@OkarinHououinKyouma they don't. They have high economic ambitions though

[@ArawnOfAnnwn]

@@OkarinHououinKyouma Germany already won Europe. In partnership with France, they rule the EU. They achieved in peace what they failed to achieve via war. Why bother with war then?

[@nickcher7071]

@@ArawnOfAnnwn its kinda ironic tho, given the amount of bitter rivalry french and germans had during 19 and first half of 20 centuries. And now they both rule the Europe

[@purplebrick131]

@@nickcher7071 until we both signed a treaty that said now we're friends, literally the German-French treaty of friendship haha. But dang like, you just gotta love their language, so pretty

[@animeyahallo3887]

Japan knew they are protected by plot armor so they know they are safe.

[@eliyasne9695]

Brilliant thumbnail!

[@JohnDoe-nn3ib]

The way he pronounced Abe had me rolling 😂 I was thinking of Abe Simpson when he said that.

[@helicocktor]

lmao I've never thought to call the Abe part of Shinzo Abe's name like Abe Lincoln that's pretty funny haha

[@jeffbenton6183]

Now that I think of it, his mispronunciation of the name proves that he doesn't know Japanese phonetics, but it also proves that he's a reader, not a binge-watcher. When I first saw the name in print, I thought, "really? Like Abe Lincoln?" But then I watched some news video, sometime later. I trust a source that gains most of his information from reading (though I would trust him more if he meticulously researched how to pronounce foreign words). At least he put the given name before the family name - most Americans don't do that for Japanese names.

[@skeletonentertainment4201]

3:08 that wall looks like the Minecraft texture for andesite

[@dasoccarboyboy1088]

what's this place at 10:54 ?

[@sinoroman]

>“ABE Shinzo” Abe like Abe Lincoln lol

[@spacetoast7783]

Honest Abe Shinzo

[@sinoroman]

@@spacetoast7783 lol

[@Landonismo]

Did you really just call the Japanese PM “Abe” Shinzo?!?! It’s Shinzo Abe (ah-bay). Jfc.

[@popoper100]

The right order to pronounce a Japanese name is Abe Shinzo. Surname comes first.

[@curiodyssey3867]

Can you blame him

[@curiodyssey3867]

Oof and you're wrong.

[@Shmuklidooha]

Technically it's ah-beh

[@curiodyssey3867]

That's pacifism grade ooftonium right there

[@skipperson4077]

Interesting topic. Though it is a military in all but name, Japan essentially renounced the deep militarism that had appropriated Bushido and Emperor-worship, overthrew their fledgling democracy, and started WWII, which for the Japanese started in Manchuria in 1931 with rogue elements of the Japanese Army actually defying orders from Tokyo. It should also be noted the rightwing pro-business LDP Party has been in power since the reestablishment of Japanese democracy, with a close alliance with large Japanese corporations, such that its defense spending is somewhat a form of corporate welfare. Japan almost never buys foreign arms, licenses and/or builds its own, which is very expensive but does give it employment, production capacity and sometimes better weapons.

[@gets0410]

I believe Japan's plutonium stockpile is for Nuclear energy, not necessarily weapons (yet).

[@citizendot1800]

Hey, I think you have forgotten about " A Hill to Die On"

[@nqh4393]

10:09 Who is Eib'l Shinzow? I've never head of him as the Japanese PM...

[@sidtheshuckle]

“Does Japan have a military” Well no, but actually yes

[@nashvillain171]

"I cannot tell a lie. I cut down the cherry tree just before the cherry blossom festival." --Abraham Shinzo

[@Callme-DS]

There are also less population of young people in japan

[@heldvonkvatch3355]

I like how Germany and France both spend 52$ billion for their defense budget but the bar for Germany is longer... 0:15

[@auliamate]

Germany spends 1 cent more obviously. EDIT: or whatever the equivalent euro is, IDK, i'm canadian

[@jayayerson8819]

"Abe Shinzo" does not sound like "Abe Lincoln". More like 'Ah-bay'. I winced several times. Also, since Abe is the family name, it's normal to reverse the order when speaking English (and not considered disrespectful).

[@mrjanemba]

I came here to say this, but it didnt make me wince. i laughed audibly at work.

[@elijahfordsidioticvarietys8770]

They don’t need an army. They have Godzilla.

[@altrifrancobolli]

Ah yes. The famous PM of Japan, Shinzo Abraham.

[@erikjj235]

Let's pray that the Japanese will allow a formal military army! Japan needs to protect itself. Nippon!! 🇯🇵

[@tntn7011]

実際の所、日本の自衛隊は防衛においては軍隊と同じ働きをします。 それに、日本は単体で防衛する事は出来ないのでアメリカの力を借りるべきでしょう。

[@user-vv8bw7jj3h]

@@tntn7011 if Japan encourages nationalism and history in our curriculum, and more people join the military, and Japan invest more in the military, Japan can become the guardian of the Pacific. It wouldn't need American help.

[@tntn7011]

@@user-vv8bw7jj3h 日本は資源を他の国に依存しています。 完全に日本が独立するには、それら資源の輸入ルートを全て防衛する必要があります。 軍事費を増やす事に異論はないですが、完全な独立は不可能だと思いますよ。

[@ough.]

@@tntn7011 Exactly, The imperial empire lacked decent resources like oil or basically many many items. Shortly speaking for example, Israel and Singapore have the same major problem. So what they did is to trade with other nations. In fact these nations also got their support from foreign superpowers by military. Same thing applies to Japan.

[@ough.]

@@tntn7011 Btw, Israel Singapore and Japan’s fertility isn’t that strong. Singapore’s too small, Japans just mountainous and Israel feels like a literal desert

[@PithyGamingClips]

Reminds me of "they're not loot boxes, they're surprise mechanics" lol. 😂

[@lil.chickn]

Would you say switzerland is a militarized country? For the small size of the country the military in switzerland is very strong.