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Japan to join forces with U.S., if China attacks Taiwan

Seoul News.Net
Thursday 4th January, 2007

Japan and the United States are considering a plan to coordinate the actions of their armed forces in the event China invades Taiwan.

Under the plan, Japan would focus on rear-area support for U.S. forces, Japanese and U.S. government sources were quoted by the Kyodo newsagency as saying Wednesday.

Defense and diplomatic officials from Tokyo and Washington will begin studying various scenarios for the Taiwan Strait, in a reflection of U.S. concern over China's growing military might, the sources said.

But while U.S. officials and the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo are considering a plan focused only on an outbreak of hostilities between China and Taiwan, the Japanese Defense Agency hopes to draw up a comprehensive plan that would include military action on Japanese or Japanese controlled territory, including Okinawa and the disputed Senkaku Islands.

The move, says Kyodo, is expected to draw criticism from China, which views military planning involving Taiwan as interference in its internal affairs. Beijing considers the self-governing island a renegade province.

The joint plan is also likely to be contentious in Japan. The Kyodo report on the possible Japan-U.S. pact appeared on the front page of Thursday's The Japan Times. Tokyo has remained vague over whether Taiwan is located in an 'area surrounding Japan,' in which military action might be deemed lawful under the country's pacifist Constitution.

The plan aims to flesh out the 'common strategic objectives' drawn up by Tokyo and Washington in a joint statement in February 2005, in which the two sides agreed to 'encourage the peaceful resolution' of the Taiwan issue while maintaining the 'capability to address (crisis) contingencies affecting the United States and Japan.'

The scenarios to be studied include a declaration of independence by Taiwan or a move by China to take the island by force, according to the government sources.

In addition to the rear-area support covered under the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation, the two sides are considering having Japanese forces conduct rear-area search and rescue operations of U.S. personnel, ship inspections and evacuation of Japanese living in affected areas overseas in the event of an emergency, according to the sources.

Under the guidelines, Japan, while acting within its constitutional limits and in accordance with its exclusively defense-oriented policy, is required to assist U.S. forces with logistic support, including supplies, transportation, maintenance and medical care.

Tokyo and Washington agreed in October to discuss military cooperation in the event of a confrontation involving Taiwan. Japan's decision to go ahead with the study highlights the pro-Taiwan stance of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, sources told the Kyodo agency.

This contrasts with the position taken by Abe's predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi, who told the Diet in March 2005 that Japan did not anticipate providing military assistance to the United States in any dispute between China and Taiwan.

The United States is obliged to provide Taipei with 'arms of a defensive character' under the Taiwan Relations Act. The law also calls for 'appropriate action' by Washington in response to any threat or danger to the island's security, and Washington has long sought Japan's assistance in helping it defend Taiwan, should it become necessary.

Tokyo, which recognizes Beijing as the 'sole legal government of China' under its one-China policy as stated in the 1972 Japan-China joint communique, has thus far not stated whether Taiwan falls within the scope of legislation authorizing the use of military force in areas near Japan.

The two allies have maintained this strategic ambiguity. The Japan-U.S. defense cooperation guidelines merely state that the definition of a 'contingency' near Japan that affects its peace and security 'is not geographic but situational.'

Japan and the United States, says the Kyodo report, are also drawing up plans behind closed doors for cooperation between the Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military in the event of an emergency on the Korean Peninsula.

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Comments on this story

WHATEVER
01-08-07, 01:56 AM

USA = China's Economy

Without the USA china has NO economy =) go to walmart, target, K-Mart or any other cheap department store and you will see nothing but chinese products. Stop buying those products and China starves once again like usual =) MUAHAHAHA! DOH!

WHATEVER
01-08-07, 01:56 AM

USA = China's Economy

Without the USA china has NO economy =) go to walmart, target, K-Mart or any other cheap department store and you will see nothing but chinese products. Stop buying those products and China starves once again like usual =) MUAHAHAHA! DOH!

WHATEVER
01-08-07, 01:57 AM

USA = China's Economy

Without the USA china has NO economy =) go to walmart, target, K-Mart or any other cheap department store and you will see nothing but chinese products. Stop buying those products and China starves once again like usual =) MUAHAHAHA! DOH!

albert
01-04-07, 04:57 PM

Japan to join forces with U.S., if China attacks Taiwan

nuke em now or its going to be to late, theres no way we could win a war with china with out nuke’s no way in hell, they have 300 million people in the military, plus all the armed police units.

we dont have 250 men in uniform.

Freedomite
01-04-07, 05:36 PM

Defend Taiwan at All Costs

Taiwan must be defended at all costs! Democracy will be at stake if China takes over the island!

WiseGuy
01-04-07, 06:17 PM

China Wins

China is the Superpower. Mess with her and you will be fried.

Mr. Lee
01-04-07, 06:21 PM

Japanese Go to Hell

If you dare to touch other country’s soil again, you will be bombed to the moon.

walt
01-04-07, 06:59 PM

China will not win and the CCP will FALL

For the person who mentioned China’s numbers, it is simply more soldiers to kill should war actually occur. In today’s world, it is not about numbers, but about QUALITY TECHNOLOGY AND NOT QUANTITY ITSELF. War between China and Taiwan would be like David and Goliath. Everyone looks at size, but like all giants, even China has a weak spot. Taiwan will be independent. As a matter of fact, Taiwan is already independent and the only thing China’s Commies have done was simply talk to themselves when objecting Taiwanese independence. So China, mind your own business, leave Tibet, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, and Taiwan alone.

Also just because a country is a superpower doesn’t necessarily guarantee it victory should it use aggressiveness towards another country. Anyone can look at the United States and learn from what’s going on in Iraq or Vietnam. Would not the same thing happen with China? Even if China landed forces in Taiwan, the potential insurgency there would be VERY DEADLY because of U.S. weaponry. So it’s not worth it, and China needs to shutup and leave Taiwan alone period. Thank you gentlemen. That is all.

Chang
01-04-07, 07:09 PM

Taiwan

Every country in the world is screwing Taiwan over for China. Good to see this.

Pacific Peace
01-04-07, 07:59 PM

Good for Japan

It’s about time that the post-wwII Japan,
a democracy, put herself in the line of
fire along with the United States to protect other Asian democracies from the
threat of the Chinese dictatorship. Let this serve as an invitation for all Asian democracies to align themselves strategically to counter the growing Chinese military threat.

taiwan freedom
01-04-07, 08:48 PM

Taiwan will not be part of China!

I would like to comment on the last two commentators. First of all, China would make a TERRIBLE mistake if it thinks the U.S. is preoccuppied with Iraq. If the commentator actually noticed, the U.S. has actually added more forces in the pacific region as well as two high tech submarines. Also, the war would be mainly a sea and air battle. These are two of the United States' greatest strengths. China would be foolish to invade even for years if ever (which I seriously doubt). Also no one has to show off their “gadgets” as long as China doesn’t show off its pitchforks and AKs. China may be growing fast, but China is nothing without a corrupt government who brainwashes their own people with lies. No one underestimates China, which is even more reason why China needs to stop being stupid and leave Taiwan alone because the United States is very much prepared to wage war against China. Trust me.

Anonymous
01-04-07, 10:02 PM

Half of the people in tiawan want to rejoin china and half want to remain independant, Just like the 2 Koreas' so who knows what the answers are? the usa should not rattle the sword before the battle!!!!

Grazza
01-05-07, 12:00 AM

Enough

I would have thought that the yanks would have had enough on there plate without getting involved in yet another conflict.

nuke
01-05-07, 12:16 AM

hell

everyone in this world go to hell...nuke blow the world..

119819
01-05-07, 03:43 AM

war mongals

if you want wars then you get it.. if you want peace, it takes another side to accept it..
so if you are planning for a war, you are the cause the war...Damn war criminals.

ghjdghdf
01-05-07, 03:48 AM

16161

another propoganda used in order to change the pacifist constituition

Anonymous
01-05-07, 09:43 AM

Madness

you guys are crazy ... if there is a war involving China and USA with Japan at the fringes ... that’s madness as the entire world economy would collapse ... you are looking at the 3 largest economies at war ... very very bad news for you and all of us ... who knows who the winners ? Maybe the terrorists

Anonymous
01-05-07, 09:44 AM

Madness

you guys are crazy ... if there is a war involving China and USA with Japan at the fringes ... that’s madness as the entire world economy would collapse ... you are looking at the 3 largest economies at war ... very very bad news for you and all of us ... who knows who the winners ? Maybe the terrorists

Unknowndude
01-21-07, 08:58 PM

Well,

Who knows? History is full of mistery and all. But Taiwan is known as the US’s land aircraft carrier or something. Who knows? Taiwan has a lot of power too.

you want war, you'll get it.
05-23-07, 02:21 AM

we chinese don’t dare to face your big daddy american

you want war, you'll get it.
05-23-07, 02:22 AM

we Chinese don’t dare to face your big daddy American.

Anonymous
05-23-07, 02:23 AM

you want war, you'll get it.

we Chinese don’t dare to face your big daddy American.

Anonymous
10-02-07, 02:21 PM

?

albert;13772:
nuke em now or its going to be to late, theres no way we could win a war with china with out nuke’s no way in hell, they have 300 million people in the military, plus all the armed police units.

we dont have 250 men in uniform.



Japan has no other options as they rely on the US for protection and full support in the international arena. If Germany and France can be friends and allies again, one should not doubt about warming up the relationship of Japan and China.

Pontotoc Bill
01-04-07, 06:24 PM

Mr. Lee;13776:
If you dare to touch other country’s soil again, you will be bombed to the moon.



In this case, moron, the story is about Japan DEFENDING another country when a country attacks. It is about Japan helping to DEFEND Taiwan from military action by Mainland China. It is NOT about an aggressive war like in the 1930s or 1940s.

Get your history correct first, mental midget.

Anonymous
10-02-07, 01:42 PM

?

walt;13779:
For the person who mentioned China’s numbers, it is simply more soldiers to kill should war actually occur. In today’s world, it is not about numbers, but about QUALITY TECHNOLOGY AND NOT QUANTITY ITSELF. War between China and Taiwan would be like David and Goliath. Everyone looks at size, but like all giants, even China has a weak spot. Taiwan will be independent. As a matter of fact, Taiwan is already independent and the only thing China’s Commies have done was simply talk to themselves when objecting Taiwanese independence. So China, mind your own business, leave Tibet, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, and Taiwan alone.

Also just because a country is a superpower doesn’t necessarily guarantee it victory should it use aggressiveness towards another country. Anyone can look at the United States and learn from what’s going on in Iraq or Vietnam. Would not the same thing happen with China? Even if China landed forces in Taiwan, the potential insurgency there would be VERY DEADLY because of U.S. weaponry. So it’s not worth it, and China needs to shutup and leave Taiwan alone period. Thank you gentlemen. That is all.



Do you know about US expansionism? Do you know the size of US originally?
How about Americans going back to their ancestral lands and leave America alone? How stupid can an American be? LOL!!!!

South dragon vs North dragon
01-04-07, 07:48 PM

china claims over VN's East sea,is dreaming.

You china is wrong.It’s not yours,if you touch it,you will feel completely numb.

RED DRAGON
01-04-07, 08:21 PM

TO all IDIOTs posting that with hitech will win

Taiwan will eventually be part of China again. US is too weak to protect anyone and Japan too. Iraq is keeping all the Allied busy.

djdyks
01-04-07, 08:34 PM

Its a matter of BUSY-BODIES around a hot issue !

Its China vs Taiwan issue, what does it do with Japan, particularly USA ? They really wanna show off all their high-tech gadgets and armouries (which they themselves proved failed during the 911 issue?).
China is undeniably a fast growing country, do not underestimate their ability! No one knows what they are capable, then why waste lives on it?

Anonymous
01-08-07, 02:38 PM

China is weak as well

RED DRAGON;13786:
Taiwan will eventually be part of China again. US is too weak to protect anyone and Japan too. Iraq is keeping all the Allied busy.



China can’t begin to feed its own people no matter how you look at it.
China falls off the map no one will blink.
The US falls off the map billions of people will starve.
China sucks their military while very large is poorly equipped.

The Man They Couldn`t Arrest !!
01-05-07, 08:19 AM

When.

China is a country that cannot feed 1.3b people but still want to add another 23m people, and bet me if china eventually get taiwan into its fold but i know they will never succeed period, they will try to lay hand on another country if not singapore or vitnam.And China is the last strong hold of communism on earth today, in case of a military conflit over taiwan, if china loose the war, united states should divide that country into 10 countries, sure.
And that will be the only way to elimate this threat forever.

shiroikoi
01-08-07, 11:50 PM

Fools who think of War

If USA Japan & China all went to war for Taiwan, then I assure you that Taiwanese won’t be the only people laughing. Just think about who the real beneficiary is.

Yes, US,Japan and Taiwan will eventually win the war, but this will happen at the cost of millions of civilian deaths from all 3 countries. By then Osama Bin Laden will sit back, relax, having a glass of cocktail with Saddam’s corpse.

p@^d@
01-09-07, 10:20 AM

USA and Japan like the enemy od our world now

USA and Japan want to join because they want to break the economy of China because nowadays China products cheaper then both country, for make China lose in competition they would like to join Taiwan for other word they said for defend the country and take an avantages with it.

Somemore it the problem between China and Taiwan so just let that 2 countries settle it.USA still want to control our world in Economy and other.

Taiwan also part of China why not it become part of China like Hongkong??

Anonymous
01-09-07, 10:42 AM

How Is Taiwan Part Of China?

p@^d@;14052:
USA and Japan want to join because they want to break the economy of China because nowadays China products cheaper then both country, for make China lose in competition they would like to join Taiwan for other word they said for defend the country and take an avantages with it.

Somemore it the problem between China and Taiwan so just let that 2 countries settle it.USA still want to control our world in Economy and other.

Taiwan also part of China why not it become part of China like Hongkong??



Sorry your wrong on all counts Tawain has been British controlled for over 100 years.
China wants the capitol from Tawain its all about money.
Most of Tawain want nothing to do with China and its heavy handed policies nor its communist government.China has rattled its sabers way to much as of late regarding Tawain.

South Korean FIGHTER
07-08-07, 12:06 PM

If the China decides to attack Taiwan, then South Korea would help out Taiwan.
Taiwan are our allies, they are a democratic nation.
China’s military is weak, compared to South Korea’s.
BACK OFF CHINA AND LEAVE TAIWAN ALONE.
I support Taiwan’s independence.

kyw
09-13-07, 04:41 PM

wake up

American and japan will never want war with China.Read recently about high ranking officer of American how he harshly comdam Tiawan’s chen about intent to joint un use Tiawan name.As I know It is not because us like china or dislike Taiwan only because afraid the serous consquence of war with China.

Anonymous
10-01-07, 10:55 PM

you full of shit~!

Anonymous
10-01-07, 10:57 PM

all you 凸(^ < ^)凸

Cindy 222
12-13-07, 05:30 AM

Independence is dangerous

If Taiwan will be independent, the worst thing will fall on the common people . There is nothing harm with the people who make the decision to be independent. It is ordionary people who will die for it. More sons and daughters will come the fun ashes. More parents will lose their children ,especially their sons.


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