Japan's election results may cause a huge change in the Asian security scenario

22 Aug 2009 8ak: If as per the articles below, the U.S. loses its base in Japan, its naval co-operation with India will become even more critical in keeping an eye on China and the region.

Raman's Blog: The centre-left Democratic Party of Japan ( DPJ), led by Mr.Yukio Hatoyama, has been ahead in the public opinion polls and may cause an upset by defeating the LDP. The DPJ leaders have been talking of a review of Japan's post-war security relations with the US and advocating improved ties with China and South Korea. The DPJ's manifesto says that it "will re-examine the role of the US military in the security of the Asia-Pacific region and the significance of the US bases in Japan." Full news

See also the Guardian article Japan tries to loosen the U.S. leash.

Comments

[Ravi]

If the DPJ comes into power the Japanese cat will defenitely leap from the wall towards China's side. After all the Japanese have a reason to hate the USA due to the Hirishima , Nagasaki bombings.The Chinese want to be the new hegemon displacing USA.Common ground here. India doesnt exist as a stategically important development partner even remotely on the radar of Japan and China. We are better off hitchingup with USA, Russia, Europe and Israel.

[Jason Verdugo]

This is one reason why the US needs more Carriers and Amphibious assault ships and a larger airlift capability. However, the US puts alot of Money into Japan from our basing and logisitcs. Much of which simultaneously supplys and maintains their own military. Any pullout will be very slow and take years.