Because, Japan.

[Murph]

12 hours ago, rmgill said:

 

 

She is hot AND drives the car of my dreams back in the 1990's.

[Murph]

China f**ked up.  They just made the Prime Minister even more popular, and Japan will likely intervene if the Commies try to take Taiwan.  They have awakened the sleepy Giant, Good for the Japanese Government.  

 

[Ivanhoe]

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/threats-sanctions-economic-warfare-japan-china-relations-sink-decades-low
 

Quote

 

China and Japan are experiencing their most intense diplomatic tensions in years after Beijing issued economic warnings in response to recent comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about a potential Taiwan conflict. As we featured previously, Takaichi had suggested that any Chinese use of force against Taiwan could be considered a "situation threatening Japan’s survival" - which could justify Tokyo supporting allied nations in defense of the self-ruled island.

Beijing reacted swiftly, with a Chinese state broadcaster over the weekend having cautioned that the country is "fully prepared for concrete countermeasures," which could include sanctions, trade repercussions, and even the suspension of all diplomatic or military engagement - as cited in Bloomberg. All of this comes after NATO scrapped highly provocative plans to open a 'NATO office' in Japan.

 

PM Takaichi has a tough row to hoe, economically, but she has some steel. 

Might I suggest a crash program in munitions manufacturing and shipbuilding?

 

[futon]

On Taiwan, I think Takaichi made a right call to openly state that Japan has some skin in it for many reasons. Having stated it, now the message is clearer for the purpose of increasing the defense budget.

There has been a start on munitions stockpiling as well as increasing the number of munition storage sites, particularly around the southern area. 

For ship building, yeah, while doing fairly good, a further uptick would be good. Not only to expand the JMSDF further but also so that the infrastructure is there to quickly rebuild ships when they are lost. So even if not enough manpower for crew for all ships made, if most crew are saved when a ship is lost, then a replacement ship for them can be available quickly. That would be part of wartime sustainment, like with the munitions. The war in Ukraine shows how quickly things progress towards depletion. Massive stocks are needed.

Edited November 20 by futon

[rmgill]

One would think many young Japanese men could be invigorated to join by a JMSDF Yamato. 
 

Just tweak the JMSDF uniforms a bit…

 

Edited November 20 by rmgill

[futon]

They've been singing the theme song for years so its a start.

 

[sunday]

A chorus is needed, but that lady has quite the voice!

Found this other video with more singers:

 

Edited November 20 by sunday

[sunday]

Cogent article on Japanese perfectionism

 

[sunday]

Funny, even if I do not understand a thing.