Japan Moves To Give It's Military A More Assertive Role In It's Defense

The US and Japan began a 37-day joint military exercise targeting island defense tactics on Tuesday aiming at deeper dynamic defense cooperation. The III Marine Expeditionary Force of the US Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self Defense Force will conduct exercises on the Guam and Tinian islands. China.org.cn

Japan’s New (Defensive) Attack Force -- Trefor Moss, The Dipolomat

Japan’s rapid moves to develop an amphibious capability is sending a clear signal on a certain group of disputed islands.

When US President Barack Obama cancelled his trip to Asia in early October, America’s regional allies wondered whether America, just like its president, was becoming fatally weakened by Washington’s systemic failures – whether one day soon it might no longer have the power or the energy to get things done on the world stage.

Japan’s leaders may have shared those concerns, but if so they didn’t let on. Even as Washington tied itself up in knots, the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (SCC) – the “2+2” comprising the countries’ foreign and defense ministers – was announcing a potentially far-reaching revamp of the Japan-U.S. alliance. As part of their new vision, the Japanese military will shoulder a greater share of the joint security burden, something the U.S. government – and some Japanese conservatives – have wanted to happen for a very long time.

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My Comment: Everyone knew that this day was going to come .... a more assertive Japan with the military might to back it up. I am just surprised that it is happening now.