this post was submitted on 08 Apr 2025
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Japan expressed interest Tuesday in participating in the NATO command for its Ukrainian mission based in Germany in what would be a major boost in ties with the largely European alliance.

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani announced his country’s interest during talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Tokyo. After providing the war-torn country with defense equipment and support, Japan now wants to join NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine, or NSATU, headquartered at a U.S. base in the German town of Wiesbaden.

Details of the mission, including the possibility of sending any Japan Self Defense Force members to Wiesbaden, were still to be discussed. But any Japanese cooperation was not expected to involve combat, in line with what has been Tokyo’s post-World War II tradition of limiting its military’s role.

Nakatani said Japan wants to further deepen security cooperation with NATO and that participation in the NSATU mission would help Tokyo learn lessons from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

...

Japan has said that Russia’s war on Ukraine underscores that security risks in Europe and Asia are inseparable, and Tokyo has sought closer ties with NATO while also joining the United States in expanding defense ties with other friendly nations in the Indo-Pacific.

...

Japan considers China a threat in the region and has in recent years accelerated its military buildup, including preparing to acquire strike-back capability with long-range cruise missiles.

...

NATO has stepped up its ties with Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, known as the IP4, in recent years, with their officials attending NATO ministerial and summit meetings.

...

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Oh man, I'm surprised Japan took so long to get on the fuck the Russians train. Historically, they're all about that shit

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

If we're going for historical reenactment, they would be waiting for their chance to do a surprise invasion and nab a couple of provinces...

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

There is still that island chain in their north that needs liberation

[–] [email protected] 28 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Alright, who had "axis but democratic" in their 2025 bingo card?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago

I didn't have anything between 2020-2025 in my bingo card, and I think everything that'll come post-2025 is not in it either!

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

The axis of weaboos

[–] [email protected] 45 points 1 week ago (4 children)

Here's hoping that Taiwan joins in. The more XP that none-Chinese nations in the Indo-Pacific get, the better they can resist unprovoked aggression.

America certainly isn't fit to protect anyone decent.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago

The way things stand China might well end up providing the communist dictatorship to the new allies vs the American-Russian Axis

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Taiwan will never join in, even if they wanted to. It would stir the pot too much with China.

But Japan's presence also means it hopes to gain aid for when China invades Japan. That may sound silly, but China claims a lot of Japanese islands as theirs. Some of which are very close to Taiwan.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

The same was said with Ukraine. The pot with China is going to keep itself stirring as long as Taiwan remains independent.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago

Not just America, but specifically the USA portion of it

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Taiwan making any cooperative military action not coordinated by the US would likely kick off some serious shit. China's not about to let that happen.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Short of China attacking Russia to reclaim territory, I think war will inevitably come to Taiwan's shores. The US, as it is, won't protect anybody.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

US standing up to China in the SCS is the only thing that I think is still at play for the US. The military positioning was already set up, and the ego harm would be too great. Maybe they negotiate it away instead.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Taiwan getting raped is definitely on my BINGO card. Humpty Trumpty won't do anything to help.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Is a Russian invasion of the Baltics on your card? Or do you think that is unlikely?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

After they finish the take over of Ukraine, I would say every country is at risk. I don't know enough of the area to gauge which is at most danger.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

At this point a comete takeover of Ukraine is possible but not likely.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I'm all for it. The Japanese military is realizing it needs to improve with more foreign experience.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Doesn't Japan effectively need to ask the US State Department for permission to expand its military capacity, under the terms of the 1945 surrender?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Japan has been gradually easing off on that for a while now and had a fairly substantial self defense force.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

At the convenience (sometimes even directed request) of the US, and typically by sourcing their hardware from US military contractors. If Japan is going to align with China and Korea in opposition to US tariffs, I don't think the US will continue to approve of this military expansion - particularly if it means buying European/Chinese military hardware.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

And what will they do then? Tarif them hard? Or do you think the US would invade Japan to keep them from arming further?

[–] [email protected] 71 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 week ago

"But Japan. This time. DONT DO ANYTHING BEFORE YOU CONSULT ME!"

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 week ago

Uh oh, that's going to make Putler angry and then in turn the tankies angry lol

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