Rearmament: How Japan Plans to Become a Military Superpower

[@MadDragon76]

*You know it's a different world when I'm excited at the prospect of Japan and Germany becoming military powers..... again.*

[@oldleatherhandsfriends4053]

Germany shouldn't be incharge of any military force.

[@HavaWM]

Right??! I’m a a history buff who will watch any WWII documentary I can get my hands on, and the idea that 80 years later, we’d be like, “Germany! Japan! Go buy yourself some more weapons!” is…mindboggling, lol 😅

[@emperorkane317]

@@oldleatherhandsfriends4053 I don't see why it shouldn't. It's a great thing

[@Cryosxify]

​@@emperorkane317i think he's alluding to their military being a bureaucratic mess that has been underfunded and neglected since the cold war

[@tomhenry897]

Germany isn’t becoming a military power More interest in Muslim immigrants

[@whitewyvernX]

I have only a passing familiarity with Japanese history and society, but from what I do know, they have shown a shocking ability to rapidly adapt and adopt technology and social structures to aid in their goals. If any people can do a 180 when the fire is under their feet, it's Japan.

[@OllamhDrab]

I'm thinking Ukraine shows that Japan might get a lot out of a drone program in the event they have to repel invasions somewhere. They can both really punch above their budget and use some video game skills.

[@nodatesape9124]

Adopt their society? No. Adapt to circumstances? Definitely.

[@k3V2181]

I put Japan right there with the US. Underestimate these countries at your own peril

[@jonaspete]

Look at how fast they developed to fight Russia in Russo Japanese war with assistant of UK. The western technology support to Japan is a guarantee to latter scenario.

[@schoolofgrowthhacking]

Japan can't solve their demographic crisis and plunging birthrate, a much greater threat

[@Intreductor]

Aside from this analysis, I highly recommend Perun's "Japanese Defence Strategy & Rearmament - Japan's ambitious plans & lessons from Ukraine" where he covers this topic in deeper detail through the scope of defense economics.

[@darkmoon4135]

I like Perun, but I don't like slideshows and PowerPoint.

[@sheamus83]

@@darkmoon4135 tell me you don’t work in the office without telling me you don’t work in a office

[@dogsbecute]

@@darkmoon4135 yeah he has great info but really needs an editor to work on his videos for the presentation

[@MadJustin7]

@@darkmoon4135 I love Perun's powerpoints, the amount of strategic analysis you're getting from the man for free is astonishing.

[@sonneh86]

I highly recommend any of Perun's videos for that matter

[@truespence]

As a 35 year resident of Japan, I can say that (IMHO) the biggest thing Japan could do to boost manpower levels is work seriously to "rehabilitate" the SDFs in the eyes of the Japanese public. Kashida needs to to make his case directly to the nation and position and praise the services as hardworking defenders worthy of thanks and respect. However, for the most part, servicemembers are invisible. They don't wear uniforms off base, their hairstyles are not noticably different than the public, and most of them seem to be reluctant to admit to being SDF members. That needs to change, efforts should be made to encourage service members to wear their uniforms off base, particularly to sporting events, and the public needs to be encouraged to meet with and become more familiar with what the SDFs do, and why. Getting more people interested in the SDF requires making national service a more attractive choice.

[@atklm1]

Japan needs conscription. Pretty much all other Russian neighbors have it. They have both Russia and China as neighbors, getting increasingly belligerent, and fast. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that since that China has been ramping up the production of fighter jets, missiles, ammunition and other weapons and keeps pumping them up with huge capacity and insane amounts, there is a fairly good chance that they have something in mind to use them for.

[@ashtonwestfall4777]

@@atklm1conscription would be political suicide, the most that could possibly get pushed through would be something akin to a mandatory month long bootcamp

[@atklm1]

@@ashtonwestfall4777 No conscription might end up being worse suicide than political one.

[@killman369547]

Yeah. They're having a little trouble working off the shame of ww2. We should do what we can to encourage them.

[@atklm1]

@@killman369547 Literally not a single ally, ie. the entire western world has absolutely anything against Japan's military buildup. Or Germany's for that matter. No matter how much they invest in their defense budget, the more the better. The situation in the world is such that the only way to prevent major war might just be getting armed to your teeth. And if Russians and Chinese really are going to get the big party started, it's an existential threat and all of our luck is in the tip of our swords. Weapons are different than in WW2, major conflict with modern weapons are gonna rock the world like never before, and death and destruction will be on a scale that death metal band lyrics will sound like a lullaby in comparison. For dictators, lives of their people mean less than nothing. They live in their golden palaces and see themselves above their people, and even actively despise them, seeing them as a worthless ants.

[@usonumabeach300]

Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, India, Vietnam, Singapore, and any other nations in the western Pacific and Eastern Indian oceans that have reason to fear the CCPs aggression should form an economic and defensive alliance.

[@Squitwort448]

India, Australia, U.S., and Japan are part of the Quad alliance

[@michaelmorton6566]

totally agree

[@jaybee9269]

New Zealand doesn’t even have an Air Force…wankers.

[@Yuki_Ika7]

i agree there should be an Alience, perhaps the 2nd coming of SEATO (South-East Asia Treaty Organization)!!!!

[@JBRAI22]

I’ve been hoping for a while

[@wkwojti]

Greetings from Poland and I wish all the best for Japan and all our Asian friends

[@peterc4082]

LOL. Watch Bartosiak and Fanell and Lindley French. It is likely Chna will achieve her goals or there will be a war. If there's a war in the Pacific, Poland may get attacked by Russia as there won't be any more US presence, all will go to save Taiwan. There is trouble ahead.

[@janskovjensen]

All the same from Denmark

[@mogumogu-taberuze]

As a Japanese citizen concerned with recent geopolitical matters, I really enjoyed this video. Japan has pride in our constitution of pacifism, but sadly, we may soon have no choice but to adjust to our ominous geopolitical environment. Being powerless doesn't mean being spared from invaders, just like how having power doesn't mean you have to be aggressive towards your neighbors.

[@matthewcai7219]

so how many times in history did china invade japan? please don't say gengis khan cos hes not chinese. just keep making excuses to change your constitution. i know a nice ilttle fellow called adolf who did the same thing in the 1930s.

[@venomshot2815]

With the declining birth rates I don't think a very strong army is possible realistically

[@elmohead]

Ok sure just don't rape women, behead prisoners, spear babies, burn prisoners alive, do any human experimentations, force fathers to rape their daughters, etc etc. Oh, apologize for WW2 would be a good first step.

[@TheUntio]

In a world surrounded by aggressive enemies, I think you can safely justify the need for a revision of your military spending. Japan has been a peaceful nation for a long time. Your allies in the West have your back 💪

[@Kenny-yl9pc]

@@venomshot2815 Regarding the men power shortage: Japans military has around 350 thousand personell. They could increase the number by spending some of the money on increased wages, scholarship for academics, better pensions, among many other means. The population with around 125 million people is big enough to enlarge the military, they need to focus on making their military more attractive as an employer, by increasing their standing/image within their society and by improving the benefits. They could definitely afford to do that. But even if they don`t focus on increasing their personell numbers, which they aren`t at the moment according to their defence and security paper, what Japan is focusing on is to rapidly and dramatically modernize and improve the quality of their systems/assets. For Japan it is not about quantity alone but more about quality. They want to provide their military with the best and most advanced systems/gear there is. That is a very effective way to improve the capabilities and power of your military other than just increasing its numbers. I would argue it`s even more effective, because the technological development of the last decades is revolutionary. We can clearly observe that with the issues and lack of assertiveness/achievements of the Russian military, they certainly have the numbers, but they aren`t well trained and lack advanced technology/modern systems. Japan can dramatically increase their militaries capabilities and power by investing in technology, and equipping their soldiers with the best systems there are. Besides, Japans military is already well organized, well equipped, modern and well trained. Their Navy is bigger than France and UK combined. Many analysts and high-ranking military officials state that Japan is the most capable military in Asia, even compared to the large military of China. Military performance and power is not about size and numbers. That is something demonstrated over and over again. Japan does not need to hide itself, their military is strong and capable. With their new plans it will get even stronger.

[@bobbiemanueldelapena4997]

Everyone's gangster, until Japan starts building military mecha suits...

[@556MSL]

“Red in tooth and claw” just a great turn of phrase. I enjoyed the content, thanks to the team.

[@Scitch87]

2:37 Japan: * elects Fumio Kishida * The world: "Well, nothing of note will happen with this guy." Fumio Kishida: "I'm gonna do what's called a pro-gamer move."

[@無題-iz2l]

Kishida is widely hated and ridiculed inside Japan. We call him”増税メガネ(four eye tax raiser)”, and his support rate is only 21%…

[@Thekowaikaiju]

I never turn down a chance to hear Simon say Japanese words.

[@hanglee5586]

Arigato

[@Algorithxm]

🤣

[@Arc115YT]

I'd like to hear Simon try to review anime. That'd make for a good laugh.

[@thelordofcringe]

​@@Arc115YTit's absolutely going to happen within a decade, as his kids get older lol.

[@Vulf_Faolan]

Japan's policy of only needing enough to defend itself has always been fundementally flawed. The nations who may seek to harm Japan are some of the biggest spenders on their militaries in the world, how could you hope to defend yourself against them if you don't invest the same in your own military? Don't get me wrong, I am sad to see Japan being pushed into a situation where they feel they need to defend themselves, but we also need to stop pretending that we live in a safe world.

[@Warmaker01]

With the end of WWII it was to be the United States to help protect Japan. The US was in its Cold War era spending at the time until the 1990s with the collapse of the USSR. So for decades it was fine. Things were mellowing out in East Asia. China in the 1990s and 2000s is not the same aggressive one that we started to see in the 2010s, particularly mid-2010s when China started to get really pushy in the South China Sea. Russia invading Ukraine recently, the Chinese foreign actions we're familiar with right now were not on anyone's crystal ball. So for Japan, the low defense spending was fine for decades. The sudden shift of the world stage caught a lot of nations being terribly alarmed with drastic actions. Japan is now worried about its neighbors. Finland and Sweden who have a many, many decades long of being neutral were alarmed enough by the invasion of Ukraine that they sought to be members of NATO. With the end of the Cold War things were supposed to mellow out. Even many European members of NATO had hollowed out their defense spending for many years with the end of the Cold War. Germany's Bundeswehr was a mighty component during the Cold War. It's currently a shadow of its self and nation suddenly had to worry about its military. It's going to take time, money, and some hard decisions. That money has to come from somewhere. But Japan has other challenges like their demographics. Their population support the idea of strengthening the nation's defense, but where that money has to come from, they may not necessarily like. It's not going to be easy.

[@gvibration1]

It wasn't flawed when America provided the complete umbrella. Definitely not the case now, but it was essential to disarm them completely for some time after WW2.

[@Kaimenhoi]

You know since Japan had been aggressor in the last world war, it was justifiable I would say. I think politicians back then did not want to start race for arms.

[@gvibration1]

@Kaimenhoi Japan wanting an Empire (Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere) is normal human thinking. Barbaric mass killing is wrong unless it's for survival. Which it was not.

[@jackhowe6]

The US wrote Japan's constitution in 1946. It forbid Japan from spending more than 0.5% of GDP on its military. That's why Japan hasn't spent much.

[@elibrunelle2076]

just wanna say this channel has been fantastic

[@darbyheavey406]

Consider that only three nations have flown the F-15; the US, Israel, and Japan. Japan has been a key player in the US defense posture for decades. Their Navy is the best in Asia- it’s well balanced, has a global reach and integrates with the US Navy well.

[@adriancheok7725]

The F15 is also flown by South Korea, Singapore, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

[@someonerandom6137]

​@@adriancheok7725 yeah exactly, blud thinks only 3 nations flew the F-15, anyone remotely friendly can get an F-15 if they want.

[@ナノカ-b8]

The F-15 was initially authorized for export only to Israel, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. However, after the development of the F-22, export permission was extended to countries such as South Korea and Qatar.

[@peterc4082]

James Fanell thinks the Chinese navy is best or will definitely be. Most serious American analists think the US is bluffing.

[@lajoyalobos2009]

Any nation's military should reflect the issues and challenges it faces. You have to work with what you have. Russia has a huge manpower advantage (or at least in the beginning) but that didn't stop Ukraine from finding ways to make up for their own shortfalls and come up with ways to be more efficient with their own manpower, especially when it comes to air power (or lack thereof). Ukraine for instance has been increasingly using missiles and drones whereas the US in such a conflict would normally use manned aircraft or naval vessels. Ukraine can hit targets in Moscow or Sevastopol using Beaver drones or hit naval targets using Sea Babies, the operators of which are rarely exposed and can continue launching. Japan could take a similar approach: the use of drones to supplement a military with low membership. Already the US technically acknowledges an issue with manpower and is actually seeking to learn from lessons with low cost drones in Ukraine.

[@dragan549]

Ukraine was saved by their own Soviet heritage in multilayered air defence which annulled most of Russian air power not drones

[@tomcarroll4785]

Same with Taiwan. They’re developing a giant fleet of inexpensive drones to counter a China invasion.

[@muzikizfun]

Some of what you say is true but the primary purpose of a military is is to kill and break things. The things you mention are not the military's area. Those are things for the politicians and those who elect them to decide.

[@fm-9129]

Ukraine is successful because the entire west is supplying it. Lol

[@dylangreen6075]

Thank goodness... We need all the help we can get over there.

[@Chuck_Hooks]

Japanese officials have publicly stated that Japan will help the US defeat any Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Well done, Japan.

[@erth-d3s]

Can we forget what japan did in ww2 ? It was worse than the crimes the german did

[@FckYourFeelingsYT]

@@erth-d3s100x worse

[@Chuck_Hooks]

@@erth-d3s Germany is buying an Arrow-3 from Israel. What does that tell you?

[@Intreductor]

@@erth-d3s are we supposed to guilt-trip ourselves into inaction because of our history?

[@PastInNumbers]

i think after 2 nukes... the japanese deserves the chance, and american support, to a 2nd chance at rearmament

[@tube2211ification]

Thanks for a good video and it’s good to see you have removed the open door from your set it look more professional now.👏

[@dfly27485]

I’ve worked with The Japanese Ground Self Defense Force before a couple of times. They’re really good people

[@aspiresamori9696]

Yes, they might be but war is not started by soldiers but upper levels of politicians ambition. The knowing from Japanese history, they should never have the military power.

[@maigepresents5840]

Ah yes... the old good people line...

[@ecofriendly0]

​@aspiresamori9696 until they hit pearl harbour a second time and raping Chinese women in their raids 😮 these guys don't learn 😮

[@MikiSuzuki2000]

@@aspiresamori9696 It is indeed a stupid idea. What country are you from?

[@17Trees33]

as someone who lived in Japan I seriously think Japan will fail to meet recruitment quotas. people who have been In for decades are getting out because they do not want to go to war which makes sense in a way.

[@chaosfenix]

I think something to remember with defense is that many of its benefits are cumulative. You can't just increase funding a couple of years and you are good to go. The US benefits from certain investments made in the defense budget from 75 years ago. The B52 first flew in 1952 and was in development since at least 1948 with certain parts starting in 1945. This is an extreme example but many of the platforms we use today in the military started development 50 years ago. Artillery systems vehicles etc. Even more mundane spending like buildings and roads we use for bases. The Pentagon was completed in 1943. All off this is infrastructure that may need to be built from the ground up in a country that hasn't previously made defense a priority.

[@largelampard3721]

Japan have always been the best equipped military in Asia, land sea and air. They're just having an issue of retiring old planes and new counter strike strategy needs. They have the best tech tree as you can see they have the best subs, ships, fighters, tanks in Asia.

[@WackadoodleMalarkey]

Japan is also the perfect country to start fielding more AI and robots which can spare people from cooking and dishwashing all the way up to the logistics of getting the food loaded and accounted for on the ships

[@meredithisme3752]

Yes definitely exclude America

[@chaosfenix]

@@largelampard3721 I do agree they are in a better spot that many NATO countries but it still stands that defense is a cumulative effort and that a few good years isn't going to magically change it all. For decades in the 1950-1990 era the US was spending between 5 and 10% of GDP. Even then from 1990 until now our spending has been in the 3-5% range. Japan on the other hand has been spending about 1%. I am not saying that every country should spend as much on defense as the US but I am saying there is a reason 2% is what is in the NATO treaty and that running below that for a long time will fundamentally change what kind of platforms are available.

[@Andman8210]

It does help that Japan is a strong US ally, allowing them short cuts to certain weapons platforms.

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:20 - Chapter 1 - Turning points 5:40 - Chapter 2 - All that is gold 9:35 - Chapter 3 - Counter punch 14:05 - Chapter 4 - Where have all the good men gone ? 17:35 - Chapter 5 - Costs & benefits - Chapter 6 - - Chapter 7 - - Chapter 8 -

[@A.A1891]

Japan have too much atheists in their country. That's why they are uncivilized. They need Islam, Quran and sharia law to save their country from evil atheism. Love from Pakistan 🇵🇰❤️

[@ヤマトウズメ-r1o]

``How Takeshima was taken by South Korea'' South Korea used armed ships disguised as fishing boats to attack Japanese ships that were fishing around Takeshima. Without warning, he was shot dead with a machine gun and captured. Japanese POWs were repeatedly subjected to hellish torture. 328 boats were captured, 3,929 fishermen were abducted and imprisoned, and 44 Japanese were massacred.

[@SouIlIl]

I love how people act like Japan is a "famously pacifist nation". Japan has spent nearly 1,000 years fighting itself and trying to be a super power. 76 years was a break not the normal... However long live Japan!

[@jkranites]

There is a US Base in Japan if I recall correctly. We never took our eye off of them

[@dailyuselessinformation5103]

👍

[@userre85]

Those mfs aren't even having sex.

[@danielhamilton351]

​@@jkranitesJapanese population is very pro-American, especially the younger population. But yeah, I wouldn't want to be an enemy of Japan! Good luck to Russia and China 😂

[@MoldyNachos89]

I’m convinced that we made a huge effort to pacify their nation by instilling all that kawaii shit and being obsessed with “cuteness” 😂😂

[@blockmasterscott]

I think they’re doing the right thing. And don’t forget, the Imperial Japanese Empire is no more. This is Japan we’re taking about, a good country with good people. I know, I’ve been there several times. So yeah, I’m glad they’re investing more in defense.

[@令喆孟]

German is a good country after first world war as same

[@tomc4132]

That was the absolutely most informative video I’ve seen. It was very well put together with all the fat trimmed. We’ll done!

[@andrewcather8949]

We (American speaking here) have been begging Japan to rearm for decades. Times have changed since WWII and they have become a stalwart ally in the face of China, Russia, and North Korea threatening global stability.

[@sayitnow7748]

Murika "accused other nations threatening global stability" whilst murika causing chaos globally😂😂😂😂😂

[@ヤマトウズメ-r1o]

``How Takeshima was taken by South Korea'' South Korea used armed ships disguised as fishing boats to attack Japanese ships that were fishing around Takeshima. Without warning, he was shot dead with a machine gun and captured. Japanese POWs were repeatedly subjected to hellish torture. 328 boats were captured, 3,929 fishermen were abducted and imprisoned, and 44 Japanese were massacred.

[@CampusMMA]

Since 1949 y'all have been begging them to rearm and they always refused, even after the Americans repeated urging, the only concession Japan made is making a defense force (JSDF) 😂 and now the Japanese are testing the waters to see if they can amend the Article 9 of Japan's constitution lol how the tables have turned 😂

[@Thisguy152]

As long as Japan is on our side this time, I'm not opposed to Japan's rearmarment

[@PastInNumbers]

right. helluva enemy for a such a small island chain

[@tomhenry897]

Won’t say on our side Just not against

[@emmarommel2625]

Lol once a country is military independent they don't need you bye bye pigs

[@kalimacho1]

There are no permanent enemies or friends There is only permanent interest

[@sirhenrymorgan1187]

As long as they're on our side AND cool it with the atrocities this time. Given that the folks pushing the hardest for rearmament are also avid war crime deniers and openly right-wing nationalists, I've got some concerns...

[@MotherChucker-k4o]

As an American, I cannot wait to see Japan have a proper ocean going Navy complete with aircraft carriers again.

[@cte4dota]

Hope they hit you harder this time!

[@jaylenflanagan1295]

@@cte4dotaYu must be sniffing sum hard drugs

[@kurousagi8155]

@@cte4dotalol, last time Japan had worst tanks than the Soviet Union. Now Japan has superior equipment to Russia in all areas.

[@cte4dota]

@@kurousagi8155 cool Everyone has that. Why are They crying out loud than? Go fight Russia in Ukraine with Ur superiority let's see how much wil you last oke?

[@kurousagi8155]

@@cte4dota only if you’re there.

[@X1GenKaneShiroX]

As an American, I must say that Japan is a country that is extremely weak militarily and is still weak militarily even in the 2030s, 2040s, and 2050s. It would be extremely counterintuitive for Japan, the US, and allies in the Pacific to form an economic and defensive alliance. It’s wrong to say that the Philippines is an enemy of China; many Filipinos are very welcoming of Chinese living in the Philippines and doing business there. If there’s a country that will undoubtedly drop in military ranking in the near future, it’s Japan. Their economy has seen no growth at all since the 1990s; in fact, Japan is one of the countries with a massively decreasing GDP that has literally decreased by a couple trillion US dollars since 2012. Essentially, it’s impossible for Japan to massively increase defense spending because there comes a time when they inevitably can’t invest more than the money they currently have. We as Americans oppose Japan’s plan for being a military superpower. If you think the US and its allies would win this war, then you are absolutely asinine. Unfortunately, I’m sensing the exact same repeat of what happened eight decades ago.

[@c_rock3512]

As an American, you’re an idiot. I’d much rather have Japan modernize its forces so it takes pressure off the US. The best way to deal with a revanchist China is a strong network of Allies in the pacific to deter a war in the first place.

[@E3_Kruger]

"Filipinos are very welcoming of Chinese" Entire comment disregarded

[@emilealpha2392]

I think Xinnie the Pooh wrote this. Lmao.

[@brettmartino7117]

Lol. Get fked Mao. We know who wrote this. Americans heavily support and welcome Japan increasing its military capability.

[@TheIfifi]

¨What are you smoking? Boy you're wrong on just about every point.

[@Attofoxy]

Love the cup on the desk!

[@KingDubb420]

It's almost like peace through strength works

[@caseyb1346]

Japan's going to have to build the worlds first droid army. Or Gundams. Hopefully Gundams, that'd be dope.

[@Detective_Stone]

I am also hoping for gundams

[@MrZuga89]

Google the robot/gundam in Yokohama. It's huge and can move a bit. Looks like you're in an anime

[@themeanlesbeann]

If there's one country that actually needs a robot army it's Japan. Their birthrates are so low they can't risk losing their young people to war.

[@lackinganame7857]

Those logistical issues at the end where fascinating, If I had to try and raise a military with that I would go 1. Missiles to strike back 2. Intelligence net work so I can hit what I want when I want. 3. Special forces, Some high quality respectable forces to help change the image of military solders, that would hopefully encourage more people down the line to join up.

[@pmatheson418]

Another great video 1. Why do you have an Enron Mug in view? 2. Is there a historical context for such of an increase of spending by Japan and/or within the Asia Pacific? If so, how did that turn out?

[@robertklimczak5630]

Mieli próbę inwazji na Japonię i tylko huragan ich uratował. Teraz zrobią huragan z broni.

[@AceneDean]

This was a perfect video. Saving for reference

[@gavinpower2020]

Japan and Germany rearming at the same time? This can't be...

[@tomhenry897]

Germany not rearming

[@sirhenrymorgan1187]

Let's hope they don't go too crazy this time, eh?

[@galatheumbreon6862]

missing the Italians

[@sirhenrymorgan1187]

@@galatheumbreon6862 Considering how incompetent they were, probably best to leave them out time... "Mein Führer, ze Italians have entered ze war!" "Send 10 tanks to deal with them!" "Mein Führer, they're on OUR side!" "...Send 1000 tanks to aid them!"

[@Eternal_Placidity]

Just like old times

[@justrollin6734]

Another good thing about Japan is that it has a lot of experience with technology due to it’s modern economy having been practically built on being on the cutting edge side of computing technology which could help any ally of there’s in regards to cybersecurity

[@17Trees33]

as someone who lived in Japan I seriously think Japan will fail to meet recruitment quotas. people who have been In for decades are getting out because they do not want to go to war which makes sense in a way.

[@knoahbody69]

The Japanese build their own "stealthified" version of the F15 under license from Lockheed.

[@DRUMmerPUNK3859]

@@17Trees33Agreed. America is the one pulling the strings on Japan’s cyber security in the first place anyway lol. We’re pretty much the newest state of America.

[@17Trees33]

@@DRUMmerPUNK3859 pretty far from america's newest state, but Japan has huge reliances on the US for it's cyber security as well as physical security which in itself isn't nessecarily a bad thing, but my original comment was more about recruitment for the JGSDF

[@dionysus326]

Have you tried working in Japan's IT company? I did, and it's far from cutting edge

[@blackwatertv7018]

China and North Korea forced Japans hand. I don’t Blame them for re-arming especially after Russia invaded Ukraine.

[@WilliamEvans-py4gq]

Many respects 🇯🇵 from 🇬🇧

[@megane-u4q]

I am Japanese.🇯🇵 I have trained with the aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth. It was very beautiful and powerful. 👍🏻

[@WilliamEvans-py4gq]

Many respects 🇯🇵 from 🇬🇧

[@WilliamEvans-py4gq]

Hope our friendship keeps growing Many respects 🇯🇵 from 🇬🇧

[@lydioconception3470]

Smart and a very good decision Prime Minutes Fumio Kishida from. The Philippines

[@BV-fr8bf]

Japan may have the 3rd largest global defense budget *BUT* the price they pay to ensure domestic manufactured defense goods, is mind boggling. $127 Million for the Mitsubishi F2 fighter (2009 dollar); US F-16, which the F2 is derived from, costs $60 Million.

[@proy3]

The F-16's price tag is basically thanks for the sheer volume of countries buying them. Almost every NATO member flies F-16s. Several non-NATO states fly F-16s. That scale brings the fly-away costs down considerably. Only Japan operates the F-2.

[@tomhenry897]

Japan pays to keep defense plants open unlike the US which lets them close and be sold

[@ParallelComparison]

@@proy3 What is the logic behind more nations buying F-16/or any other product therefore the the cost decreases? I mean why does cost decrease when mass produced?

[@gur262]

​​@@ParallelComparisonengineering costs are paid once, profits are made the more you sell. Machines to produce certain parts are made once. Cost once. Alot. Testing etc. Then pay off. The more you make the cheaper you can make em goes for almost anything. Same as in the car industry.

[@proy3]

@@ParallelComparison It's economies of scale. Basically, the more of an item you produce, the more you can spread the costs of development and production across the entire product line.

[@ARIXANDRE]

Germany seems to feel the same but the geopolitical scenario is different than the 1930-1940. We need a strong military Japan and Germany in their local scenes.

[@thatguyoverthere9634]

It's only different in that the 30s saw Germany and Japan rise as the genocidal powers starting wars. Now its China and Russia that are the genocidal powers starting wars. I think a funny similarity is how Germany had Italy as a sort of pet state. Now North Korea fills that role. That being a nation that by all accounts will loose a conventional war alone and whose biggest contribution is just the manpower and support equipment rather than frontline equipment or military leaders.

[@dylangtech]

A pretty big thing to note about Abe's shift: Korea is considered a UN mission still in effect. Even China and Russia are technically obligated under UN to defend South Korea from North Korea. Obviously this would not happen in reality, but it is something to think about.

[@stillcantbesilencedevennow]

Tbf, if Korea kicks off, I'd expect Russia to "vacate" the UN. That one strikes me as a potential "all in".

[@TheBlueboy7777]

Both communist defend south korea against their fellow communist? Heh

[@generalpatton8468]

@@TheBlueboy7777 The irony is neither Russia or China are communist anymore.

[@DarkKnight-db1dy]

@@TheBlueboy7777 Russian ain't communist, USSR was

[@TheBlueboy7777]

@@DarkKnight-db1dy thats what the russian wanted you to think! They are just pretending!

[@jtasakorn]

Unarguably, Japan is a tech giant. The war in Ukraine has laid many new concepts of modern warfare that the Japanese would do well to capitalize and improve upon. Tie such warfare concepts to Japan's industries, in mechanics and IT, with Japan's deficit in manpower, and we could see more autonomous weapons systems along the lines of their manga robots; well, maybe realistically half way, but well capable like many Japanese products. This is possibly where to put the additional 2 percent as there'd be possible commercial & defense applications on Earth and extraterrestrial if not extradimensional. 😆 Nah, I just read and imagine too much. 😁

[@myalt3019]

I've heard NATO's been trying to make automated tanks for a long time, maybe it'll have something to do with that?

[@jtasakorn]

@@myalt3019 The problem with many/any automated/robotic systems is/always will be reliability: would it be dependable in war/battlefield conditions? I'll settle for human controlled suites like in The Matrix, Edge of Tomorrow, or even weaponized human controlled robots like that from Boston Dynamics. We will end up fighting AI controlled swarms of drones, though AI is yet quite near human-like intelligence like Terminator's Skynet; this decade. 😆

[@Tyguy161]

excellent!

[@callumdwyer6533]

"This famously pacifist country" Mfs in the Philippines, Indonesia, Manchuria, Korea and Malaysia: 👁️👄👁️

[@sirhenrymorgan1187]

Yep, Japan only became pacifist after losing their last war (choc full of war crimes) horribly. I would say that, historically speaking, Japan ain't all that pacifist. It's a rather recent phenomenon...

[@oyunboldboldbaatar5519]

@@sirhenrymorgan1187Japan had historically been a warring nation. Lots and lots of infighting.

[@sirhenrymorgan1187]

@@oyunboldboldbaatar5519 Also invading their neighbors. The genocides carried out against the indigenous peoples of Hokkaido and the Ryukyuan Islands, the 17th century invasions of Korea, etc.

[@oyunboldboldbaatar5519]

@@sirhenrymorgan1187 invading neighbor thing for an island nation like Japan. Same with the uk. Once you get powerful enough, you end up expanding out.

[@johnwick8756]

Russia going after Ukraine has made US weapon makers billions just what Poland and now Japan have either bought or about to buy is insane. I'd like to see a video showing how much more the US has made from selling weapons since Russia invaded Ukraine

[@nowhere474]

THEY MADE BILLIONS AND HAVEN'T ACTUALLY PRODUCED ANYTHING. Ukraine uses old weapons

[@havocgr1976]

Not only that, they made a crap ton from exporting their expensive crap now that everyone stopped buying the cheap Russian crap.Its always about money, and the only one currently making any is the USA.

[@gvibration1]

Biggest military industrial build-up since WW2, nukes aside. With a major supplier/competitor, Russia, taken out of the game. And all the old stuff in Europe being used up. Bonanza. Most military suppliers can't provide enough product.

[@danielhamilton351]

Making money selling weapons is fine as long as you use those weapons in moral manner aka self-defense. Exactly what Ukraine is doing. And Russia doesn't have a military industrial complex of it's own right?

[@gvibration1]

@@danielhamilton351 Mine wasn't a moral or political comment. Just economic facts. It's the academics and politicians who make them trigger words.

[@Jones-xf5rr]

Given that Japan has Russia, North Korea and China as neighbors, building up their military definitely seems like a good idea.

[@poplar6658]

I am glad that the Japanese are in our team this time 🇯🇵🎌🇪🇺

[@i6power30]

Japan is lapdog of America. They would be after you dropped two nukes on it and put military bases in their land. Japan is defacto US protectorate

[@FreeThePorgs]

Don’t miss nuclear weapons, while japan was the only nation ever where nukes was against they are more then capable. Japan self makes nuclear reactors and the related nuclear materials and easily the technology to do it. Saw the term they are a “screwdrivers” turn away from making nukes. Its just the general populations aversion to the idea.

[@tomhenry897]

Sure private companies been working on an A bomb scince 45 Just how far they got? If NK, Pakistan and India did it so can a more advanced japan

[@thurisaz123]

One solution to Japans recruitment issues would be "autonomous weapons systems" and with the emergence of advanced AI, that might be the way many countries choose.

[@IzanamiIzanagi-ri1kp]

Still means they need to invest a shit ton on cyber security then.

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Love this channel! Keep up the good work simon!🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤

[@swordmonkey6635]

I've been a student of Japanese history for over 40 years and I support Japan rearming to defend itself and support its allies. If Germany can rearm with self-restraint, so can Japan. Also, this means giant fighting mechs are in the future. lol

[@papi-sauce]

did you earn the story of how the Japanese believe they are descendants of incest gods. more precisely the products of a rape event.

[@ヤマトウズメ-r1o]

``How Takeshima was taken by South Korea'' South Korea used armed ships disguised as fishing boats to attack Japanese ships that were fishing around Takeshima. Without warning, he was shot dead with a machine gun and captured. Japanese POWs were repeatedly subjected to hellish torture. 328 boats were captured, 3,929 fishermen were abducted and imprisoned, and 44 Japanese were massacred.

[@ricardosantee3511]

If my grandpa's generation was still alive, they would be very concerned that Japan is increasing its military spending. But I guess enough time has passed and my generation has no reason to see Japan as a threat, on the contrary, we see them as allies. Crazy how time can change things...😅

[@peterc4082]

Google Julian Lindley French. He says Japan was only good as a sea power because the British asked them too and gave them ships and designs.

[@mrsix344]

Japan should kick start a defensive industry not only for herself, but also for export. Like toyota and all that is Japanese tech, cost efective, and reliable products the World cant wait to buy war machines from Japan

[@legodude666]

Japan kept its defense industry, for example Mitsubishi has been manufacturing its own licensed copies of the F-16 known as the F-2 "Viper Zero" since the mid-90s but with its own avionics

[@gvibration1]

Japan could but South Korea is ahead of them. They've cashed in on their strengths. A generational military build-up is happening in Europe, lead by a demand for the armour and artillery South Korea has had to specialise in. Japan will soak up its own military industrial output for some time, given their rate of build-up.

The constitution means that Japanese companies can't export arms. If they could, they would have done so already.

[@Emilechen]

even Toyota will be defeated by Chinese EV companies such as BYD,

[@Emilechen]

​@@legodude666Mitsubishi has already 2 marjo failures, including the failed Shinshin jet fighter, kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpzQpaWpep59nMksi=53wIgShS6tjTZIJ9

[@ceejaytalam]

The good thing about the problem with China, Russia and North Korea is that Japan is not the only one that is focusing on their defense and increasing defense budget. There are also many neighboring countries that are doing the same thing as Japan, so many ASEAN countries are. That's what happens when China bully its neighbors and threatens their sovereignty.

[@tx9ju]

You mean built more toilet ??

[@bobbymoss6160]

And yet you don't say a damn thing when US invades with their thousands of military bases around the globe, and toppling governments.

[@CampusMMA]

Namely Indonesia and India, at first Indonesia was still on good terms with China but when China proposed that 9 dash line bs and started taking action by flaunting their navy in the region, trespassing indonesian territory and harassing the fishermen there, now they have another country that hates them lol

[@okazaki111]

Japan's fiscal problems are essentially small problems. The Bank of Japan's government bond holdings (based on market value excluding Treasury bills) reached a record high of 53.3% at the end of March 2023. This is the third consecutive quarter that the ownership ratio has exceeded 50%. Furthermore, looking at Japan's balance sheet, it has one of the soundest financial conditions in the world. Moreover, the revenue that the government can expect in the future from its tax collection power is stable. In that sense, Japanese stocks are very good properties.

[@niko-qi1oi]

Awesome Enron coffee mug!

[@mikehawke2374]

2028: JDF's first Gundam rolls off the line. Sick.

[@nooodles939]

Its about time! Anyone comparing modern Japan to the Japan of the 1930s and 40s is ignorant. The Japanese have admitted their wrongs and have made huge cultural changes in the last 70 years. A well armed Japan is a MASSIVE benefit to all democratic nations of the world. Japan is no joke, and they will be a great deterant for China and North Korea from using their armies to establish military dominance in the region. God Bless Japan!!🇯🇵🇰🇷🇺🇸🇭🇲🇨🇦🇬🇧🇨🇵

[@Bobby-fj8mk]

Except that now there are nukes and Japan doesn't have any.

[@DavidTremblay]

You know we are closing on a major conflict when everyone is rearming. It's kind of scary.

[@Americanpatriot-zo2tk]

Your post is 100% spot on. What I don’t get is most people are so stupid they can’t see what’s happening right in front of their faces.

[@havocgr1976]

Even Switzerland is rearming!

[@annyetapia8221]

@@Americanpatriot-zo2tkah yes. Thank god we have these to top analysts who can see things no one else can 😂

[@norihiro01]

Unfortunately, rearming is necessary for deterrance. If you don't have weapons you are an easy target for Xi, Kim and Putin.

[@sirhenrymorgan1187]

Yup. The parallels to the prelude of WW1 are unsettling. This is a tinderbox of nuclear proportions! I wonder what's gonna finally set it off...?

[@JBRAI22]

As an Australian I hope to god that japan can arm and maybe even get an alliance with my nation, the sleeping dragon is much a larger threat than the bumbling bear

[@cte4dota]

They will f you up with Chinese don't worry they wont defend Western intrest bordering China mate.

[@sayitnow7748]

Sleeping dragon will break those kangaroo legs😂😂😂

[@JBRAI22]

@@sayitnow7748 on our own? Definitely, that’s where our friends come in!

[@braggarmybrat]

Who else was confused by the title and read it as "Rear-Ma-Ment?" Like, what are you doing with my rear? Stop it! At least get my consent and give me a kiss!

[@innsmouthresident6802]

Good ,about time.

[@54032Zepol]

Japan may not be ready right now but when a portal to another dimension opens up they will send their finest!

[@michaelleone9931]

I love GATE too!

[@54032Zepol]

@@michaelleone9931 nice someone got it. Wish they had more.

[@davidnguyen467]

The world is looking at japan through new hipster glasses, while japan is looking at the world through its 70s lenses. Bc those from the 70s r the only ones left on the islands in significant numbers

[@flexinclouds]

Idk why.. but despite NATO having 'north atlantic' in the name.. I always thought Japan & Australia were NATO members. Especially with how close their alliance is with the US. I feel like an attack on either of them is definitely worthy of our support🤔

[@Americanpatriot-zo2tk]

There once was in the organization SEATO(south east Treaty organization)

[@robman2095]

@@Americanpatriot-zo2tk Japan was not a member but Australia was

[@Anonymous-xq3cd]

I don’t know about you but I have always seen Japan as a military superpower. Even at their current state being “sealed” or “suppressed” bound by their agreement with the US, their current military capability is already better than most countries and probably at-par with some of the strongest ones. Imagine if they are not bound by any agreements anymore and be able to grow their military to their hearts desire, they can easily overpower China, Russia, and North Korea combined by leaps and bounds. Japan has the money, technology, and the smarts to pull this off. I am 100% confident.

[@aneasteregg8171]

Wait, I've seen this one...

[@JingleJangle256]

The first one was wild. Can’t wait for the sequel.

[@fujigoko007]

The war in Ukraine was based on the same tactics that the Japanese army had in mind. Japan has thousands of mobile missile launchers and a stockpile of tens of thousands of missiles. Many in the Army are trained and qualified in mountain guerrilla warfare. It also has a stockpile of more than 2,000 submarines and anti-ship missiles to hit Russia's supply routes. The Ukraine war gave confidence to the Japanese military.

[@gerardocuriel5490]

Japan should consider making a foreign legion like the french. I'm sure they would find plenty of legionnaires in the region

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

Weeb Legion

[@stillcantbesilencedevennow]

Give me a body pillow in my gear and I'm in. 😅😂

[@jdmo741]

@@TheMrPeteChannelcompany runs Naruto style

[@stephenwang9567]

Don't dream on pass glory. The beast is fully tame since 1945 n cage

[@newsynapsrliti2059n0]

Lmao

[@jimmartin7437]

Simon. Where did you get the Enron cup??

[@DilAbadyi]

If China is a military superpower and has hostility to Japan, why can't Japan develop its own? Support Japan from Philippines

[@kleinweichkleinweich]

"Japan a famously peaceful nation" greetings from Germany

[@Emilechen]

peaceful, lol,

[@i6power30]

Lol. Japan is 3 times more cruel and sadistic than Nazi Germany ever was

[@TheGelatinousSnake]

Better off as a pacifist arsenal than a super power is capable of operating far beyond its own borders. Cheaper, less combat personnel needed, politically more palatable.

[@Jungoguy]

Two things: one, didn’t their post-WW2 constitution renounce the right to wage war, and two, please don’t let them relapse into their war-mongering phase.

[@tomhenry897]

Too late

It renounced the right to wage war to resolve diplomatic disputes, not as a defensive measure.

[@aaaa-px7ng]

In a nation, the right to wage war is as natural as brushing one's teeth in the morning. Therefore, even if the Constitution limits the right to wage war, any number of loopholes can be created in the Constitution to allow for war.

[@lirrobinson8377]

Japan better start making those robot soldiers instead of robot sex dolls😂

[@xanderunderwoods3363]

*Tokugawa Noises Intensify*

[@brandonguffey5959]

One of my best friends was a navy spook (he read chinese emails in a ship off the coast allegedly) and he spent some time in Misawa and said he got to check out some japanese naval ships, he said "It was like stepping into the deck of a scifi ship it was so advanced". Japan does *not* fuck around if I am being honest and I am not entirely sure them rearming is the best sign of future peace.

[@clamchoder1386]

It may not mean peace but it does mean deterrence

[@tomhenry897]

Need more

[@FoolishUser-n1m]

Mechs anyone?

[@DMTrance87]

I've been watching your content religiously for years.... And I gotta say I'm really digging this channel. I feel like I'm able to keep up on the news and global politics without having to watch some polarized bulls*it on TV that has an agenda. I appreciate you, Simon, and especially your writers.... for basically providing unbiased journalism.

[@ricardomartins286]

Ah yes... Japan... a famously pacifist nation... WHAT?!

[@kvas6255]

Here we go again

[@larryseago730]

If they grow in hardware, they must grow in manpower too. Their forces should swell now as the years go by. Better planes, ships, missiles, satalites will replace older ones, but, they also need well trained larger units for offensive ops.

[@malakidemeo4425]

HEAVY on the better ships being an archipelago they need a top tier navy inorder to be a super power

[@BigBear21740]

This isn't good. If Japan feels the need to arm itself, it is extremely telling of their thoughts on the possible future in the Pacific. Very bad indeed. With Australia getting nuclear subs & Japan arming itself, our partners are taking a war footing. Stop for a moment and consider how much trade & commerce flows thru the Pacific. This is terrible.

[@norihiro01]

you have earned your 50 cents

[@bugzOverload]

Its a dangerous times right now, and Japan's vision to become a responsible Superpower is a welcomed development that might counter those who want to change the status quo in the Asia Pacific region.

[@philipcharles5160]

another outstanding video

[@rodneymoore7270]

I anticipate that the development they bring to their defense needs will be AMAZING! The products they develop themselves will be top shelf ... The products they choose to import will not only be top shelf but further developed in some cases to a new level of effectiveness. THEY ARE MORE THAN A VERY SHARP BLADE POINTED AT THEIR ENEMIES MOST TENDER PARTS!!!! They are in very fortunate position to develop their more advance new powers to extend their reach with a minimum of burden of old tech to hold them back. The challenges to accomplish this are huge but I believe they have what it takes and are more than up to the task.

[@victorw696]

The world needs Japan

[@frictionhitch]

Japan should offer citizenship, a free home(basically free anyway), and a pension to any member(limited number) of the US, UK, FR, etc(how far do you want to go)military that was honorably discharged and under 40, is willing to commit to learning Japanese and serve 5 years in the SDF. A lot of former US personnel would jump at the opportunity. It would increase the capability of the SDF while also enhancing its interoperability and the nations connections with its most important allies. You have extra houses and not enough vets well we have extra vets and not enough houses. Win win

[@blackwatertv7018]

There an idea. Apparently getting Japanese citizenship is stupid hard and there’s lots of people all over the world especially in the west who’d love to move to Japan.

[@tomhenry897]

Japan doesn’t want non Japanese Barley accept Okwanians

[@frictionhitch]

@@tomhenry897 16,000 is nothing. That's about .01% of the population. Nothing

[@kimandre336]

@@frictionhitch That's a huge number from the prespective of an average Japanese ultra-nationalist.

[@Americanpatriot-zo2tk]

What a stupid idea

[@MilitaryTalkGuy]

Can't say I blame Japan. They are in a very tough spot. They have neighbors in all directions that could attack them. They have extremely limited ability to defend themselves. Japan has historically depended on the promise of NATO defense but now that NATO is at their weakest point in decades, Japan realizes they would probably not get much help if they were attacked. The sad thing is this Ukraine conflict drained all of NATO of weapons and for nothing. It will take a decade or more to build back up and the cost will be staggering for NATO countries. IF China takes Taiwan this year, NATO will have very little to help. Once China takes Taiwan, what happens to Japan?

[@Emilechen]

China is one of the five major winners of WWII, so giving back Manchuria and Taiwan to China is a decision of allied nations, recognized by the UN, what happens to Japan if China reunites Taiwan? Japan will lose forever the chance to become a great regional power to challenge China,

[@名前変えた-j7l]

@@Emilechen US defeated Japan in WWII. Not China. China begged US for help.

[@jamesmasonaltair]

Thankfully Japan is our staunch ally and close friend. I would hate to ever have to fight them again. They (were and) are a force to be reckoned with. The JSDF and JMSDF are outstanding, motivated, and tech heavy organizations, capable of being fully inter-operable with the US, Australia, and many NATO and Western nations. Rearming will greatly benefit Japan. And it will benefit us. It is a win-win situation. A strong Japan is in America's national interest.

[@tomsmith2587]

It's about time!

[@randyreynolds1045]

Good news❤

[@jaybee9269]

Shinzo Abe looked like your favorite grandfather. R.I.P.

[@Relax-hi7xo]

Japan has no choice but to become a military superpower. With Russia, NK and China all being dicks, they need to protect themselves somehow.

[@Emilechen]

the word superpower is misused,

[@dsgdsg9764]

I resent the implication that nobody could have predicted this about Japan I knew it was coming America is not ready to defend them and Taiwan the idea that nobody had it on there bingo card is ridiculous

[@CassandraFortuna]

Mamoru Oshii sure did, though how he presented it in his movie was in a more general and geopolitically abstract sense than naming any particular threats in the region.

[@megone01]

im still waiting there mecha and some combining stuff

[@uknrfc]

Your question is wrong. Japan doesn’t want to become military superpower. You should change your video title to “why China wants to rob small island from Japan?”.

[@3zea-un7do]

Bring back Japan to its original state a military and economic superpower, im glad to hear Japan is shifting towards developing its domestic military production 🙏🇯🇵💪👏👏👏

[@jahkra9259]

You realise the "original state" was fighting for the nazis and committing some of the most horrific war crimes humanity has ever seen, right? Obviously there's nothing inherently evil about the country or its people, but a return to 'the good old days' is definitely not a good thing.

[@SuperKendoman]

To its original state? I'm gonna say no thanks seeing as what they did to my parents countrymen in Nanking. Although I was born in the UK, I heard alot of horrible things from an old lady who survived the terrors of what the Japanese army did when they swept through the cities of China, that was my nan who luckily escaped to Hong Kong with all 6 of her kids

[@3zea-un7do]

@@jahkra9259 what I mean is not the old Imperial Japan, emperor Hirohito is no longer the ruling party, the hidden beast from within is no longer there, their more polite and tamed 😁this people are not the same since then same with the Germans people, the Nazi party is no longer within but a peaceful German people, Japanese people are inherently smart and it has proven many centuries ago they have the technological prowess and expertise to outdo China, I've been there many times I have had my experience interacting with their robots I'm struck in awe how advance they are robotics, AI, autonomous cars

[@3zea-un7do]

@@SuperKendoman trust me their no longer the same people since the imperial Japan what I mean is not the old Imperial Japan, emperor Hirohito is no longer the ruling party, the hidden beast from within is no longer there, their more polite and tamed 😁this people are not the same since then same with the Germans people, the Nazi party is no longer within but a peaceful German people, Japanese people are inherently smart and it has proven many centuries ago they have the technological prowess and expertise to outdo China, I've been there many times I have had my experience interacting with their robots I'm struck in awe how advance they are robotics, AI, autonomous cars

[@glhfggwp6232]

You may wrong. I was naive like you too. Before Russian invasion of Ukraine, we had a discussion in my class about the Fermi paradox. One of the great filter for human civilization to advance is to avoid WW3. I thought to myself ain’t no way we having another WW because we know better now due to our past history, but nope. Few months later Russia invaded Ukraine proving my naïveté. There’s always that chance Japan may return to it imperial state.

[@RecoveringAhole]

Japan just saved the world.

[@davidperin9938]

Italy: elects an ultranationalist to power. Germany: starts militarizing in the midst of a growing ultranationalist party. Japan: growing its military. Where have we seen this before...

[@norihiro01]

Lmao, Just ignore Stalin, Putin, Chairman Mao, Xi and Kim behind the curtain.