Japan Is Rebuilding Its Military For The First Time Since WWII | VICE on HBO
Summary
TLDRThis video explores Japan's shift towards militarization, driven by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, amidst historical tensions with China. It features survival gaming, military exercises, and debates on constitutional changes. The documentary highlights Japan's growing military budget, the controversy over the 'Izumo' helicopter carrier, and escalating territorial disputes with China over the Senkaku Islands. It also discusses the potential for conflict and the US-Japan alliance's role in regional security.
Takeaways
- 🎮 The video script describes a survival gaming spot in Tokyo designed to resemble a war zone, hinting at a shift in Japanese culture towards a more militaristic mindset.
- 🏔 The script suggests that Japan's historical pacifism, enforced by the US post-WWII, is changing with the Japanese parliament approving policies to allow military action overseas.
- 🗼 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is portrayed as a driving force behind Japan's push towards militarization, despite public protests and concerns about constitutional violations.
- 🚢 Japan's military budget is at an all-time high, with new capabilities showcased, including the Izumo, a ship that resembles an aircraft carrier despite being classified as a helicopter carrier.
- 🚩 The script highlights the territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands between Japan and China, which is a focal point of growing tensions.
- 🇯🇵 There is a rise of ultra-nationalism in Japan, with groups like Nippon Kaigi advocating for a more aggressive military stance, including potential constitutional changes.
- 🛳️ The Japanese Self-Defense Forces are expanding their capabilities, including naval power, which is seen as a show of strength towards China.
- 🚨 The script mentions the Japanese Coast Guard's aggressive actions to prevent civilian boats from reaching the disputed islands, indicating heightened sensitivity and potential for conflict.
- 🌎 The US-Japan alliance is underscored as a key factor in Japan's security, with the US legally bound to defend Japan, which could draw the US into any conflict.
- ✈️ Japanese fighters are on high alert, regularly scrambling in response to Chinese aircraft, illustrating the tense and potentially volatile situation in the region.
Q & A
What is the survival gaming spot in Tokyo designed to resemble?
-The survival gaming spot in Tokyo is designed to resemble a war zone.
Why might Japan's proximity to potential conflict be changing?
-Japan's proximity to potential conflict might be changing due to the Japanese parliament approving a policy to allow its military to defend allies in other nations, potentially leading to troop deployments overseas.
What is the historical context behind Japan's pacifist constitution?
-Japan's pacifist constitution was adopted after World War II when Japan was defeated and found guilty of war crimes by the Allies, leading the U.S. to force them to adopt a constitution that renounces war and bans offensive military capabilities.
What is the controversy surrounding Japan's new military policy?
-The controversy is that the new policy allows Japan to defend allies in other nations, which is seen by some as a shift away from their pacifist constitution and a move towards militarization.
Who are the ultra-nationalists called 'Nippon Kaigi' and what do they advocate for?
-Nippon Kaigi is a growing group of ultra-nationalists who have gained influence in Japan's government. They advocate for changing the constitution to allow for attack-capable forces.
What is the significance of Japan's 2017 military budget?
-Japan's 2017 military budget is its biggest ever, indicating an expansion of military capabilities and a demonstration of their intent to strengthen their self-defense forces.
Why is the 'Izumo' ship controversial?
-The 'Izumo' ship is controversial because it resembles a conventional aircraft carrier, which Japan is constitutionally banned from having. Critics argue that classifying it as a helicopter carrier is a violation of Japan's pacifist commitments.
What is the situation regarding the disputed Senkaku Islands?
-The Senkaku Islands are the subject of an intensifying standoff between Japan and China, with nationalists from both countries frequently visiting the islands to assert their territorial claims.
What is the role of the Japanese Coast Guard in the disputed territories?
-The Japanese Coast Guard plays a role in preventing civilian boats from reaching the disputed territories to avoid potential conflicts. They have been known to physically block boats and cite old fishing regulations to justify their actions.
What are the global implications if Japan were to engage in conflict?
-If Japan engages in conflict, it would have major global consequences due to the post-war agreements that legally bind the U.S. to defend Japan.
How does Japan's military respond to Chinese planes in contested airspace?
-Japanese fighters regularly patrol contested airspace, including over the Senkaku Islands, and are scrambled in response to Chinese planes. They maintain a tense waiting game, ready to engage if necessary, but adhering to a policy of not firing unless fired upon first.
Outlines
🎮 Survival Gaming in Tokyo
The script begins with the narrator entering a survival gaming spot in Tokyo, which resembles a war zone and is likened to paintball. It's noted that this is as close as Japanese citizens have come to combat in the past 70 years. The narrator discusses the possibility of Japan being invaded, with China being a potential aggressor due to historical conflicts. The conversation shifts to Japan's post-WWII pacifist constitution, which has confined the military to self-defense. However, recent parliamentary decisions have allowed Japan to defend allies overseas, marking a shift towards militarization. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is mentioned as a driving force behind this change, with critics fearing a return to war. The script also introduces ultra-nationalists who wish to change the constitution to allow for offensive military capabilities.
🚢 Japan's Military Expansion
The second paragraph delves into Japan's military expansion, with a focus on the JS Izumo, a helicopter carrier that resembles an aircraft carrier. Critics argue that its existence violates Japan's pacifist commitments. The narrator visits the carrier and compares it to a US aircraft carrier, questioning its potential to deploy fighter jets like the F-35. The script discusses the carrier's recent deployment with a US battleship as a show of strength towards China. The tension between Japan and China over the disputed Senkaku Islands is highlighted, with nationalists from both countries asserting their claims. The script also features an interview with a conservative talk show host who expresses concern over China's aggressive stance and the potential for conflict.
⚓️ Rising Tensions in the East China Sea
The final paragraph discusses the potential for conflict in the East China Sea, particularly around the disputed Senkaku Islands. The Japanese Coast Guard is shown intercepting civilian boats to prevent them from reaching the islands, citing old fishing regulations as a reason. The script suggests that local hostilities could escalate into a larger conflict with global consequences, given the US's legal obligation to defend Japan due to its pacifist stance. Retired Admiral Yogi Cota emphasizes the US-Japan alliance and the strategic deterrence it provides. The script concludes with a tense waiting game between Japan, China, and the US, with Japanese fighters regularly patrolling contested airspace and the potential for hostilities to erupt at any time.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Survival Gaming
💡Pacifism
💡Constitutional Commitment
💡Self-Defense Forces
💡Militarization
💡Aircraft Carrier
💡Ultra-Nationalism
💡Senkaku Islands
💡China-Japan Relations
💡US-Japan Alliance
💡Territorial Dispute
Highlights
Survival gaming in Tokyo designed to resemble a war zone.
Japanese citizens have had limited exposure to combat scenarios.
Japan's historical conflict with China and its implications.
Post-WWII Japan adopted a pacifist constitution, banning offensive military capabilities.
Japanese parliament's approval of a policy to allow military defense of allies.
Shift towards militarization in Japan under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Protests against Japan's military reforms, fearing a violation of constitutional pacifism.
Rise of ultra-nationalist group Nippon Kaigi influencing government policy.
Japan's 2017 military budget is the largest ever, indicating an expansion of capabilities.
Introduction of the JS Izumo, a ship resembling an aircraft carrier despite constitutional restrictions.
Critics argue the JS Izumo's classification as a helicopter carrier is misleading.
Japan's naval capabilities are growing, including joint exercises with the US.
Territorial disputes with China over the Senkaku Islands.
Nationalist demonstrations in Japan calling for a stronger stance against China.
Japanese Coast Guard's interception of boats near disputed islands to prevent conflict.
China's militarization of islands in the South China Sea and the regional response.
US commitment to defend Japan under the US-Japan alliance.
The potential for conflict between Japan, China, and the US, and its global implications.
Japan's self-defense forces are on high alert, ready to respond to any Chinese military actions.
Transcripts
[Music]
I'm walking into a survival gaming spot
it's kind of like paintball it's outside
Tokyo and it's clearly been designed to
look like a war zone when you have all
these guys and camel it looks like
American military cured konnichiwa for
the last 70 years this is about as close
as any Japanese citizen has come to
being in combat but if you ask the
locals here that might be about to
change
[Music]
you mean kind of what she must do for
you 420 not a bar
what does right just do you're
mentioning the idea that Japan could be
invaded who who would invade the country
wouldn't take any goodness at all nobody
you chew got you Paul IV not catching up
to you on it's not from China is so
obvious to these guys because the two
countries have a very long bloody
history
the last time they came to blows was
when Japan moving in China and the
run-up to World War two after Japan was
defeated by the Allies they were found
guilty of war crimes that included the
killing of millions of Chinese the u.s.
forced them to adopt a constitution
which pronounces war and banned them
from having any offensive military
capabilities since then pacifism has
become a part of post-war Japanese
culture with the military confined to
self-defense only but now that might be
changing today the Japanese parliament
approved a controversial policy to allow
its military to defend allies in other
nations clearing the way for troop
deployments overseas
this parliamentary resolution marked a
shift towards militarization this be a
push by japan's Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe a como yo pigna Seco Tecna Kirilenko
such de magnete know tonight Bobby and
his supporters argue that today Japan
needs stronger armed forces to defend
themselves from their powerful neighbors
and other global security threats
hundreds of thousands of Japanese have
protested avez reform efforts which they
say violate Japan's constitutional
commitment BISM they're legitimately
nervous that he dragged the country into
war why do you think this bill is
dangerous for the country JTAG on a
Santoni pathetically inadequate Awad
watch my neck
[Music]
can you come in on their memory company
but another loud voice is a growing
group of ultra-nationalist called new
punakaiki we've gained a lot of
influence inside of our base government
they want to go so far as to change the
constitution to allow for attack capable
forces akira momochi is the group
strategic advisor
suppose someone young Koch impose
alumina GHQ no single day dorita know
this Ken Patera
son openly not exceed in Poe who might
mano de an octave honor honor when you
own dice all three models ot ago today I
was not told your staccato many people
see this though as the first step in
preparing Japan to go to war propaganda
the update is in a sense all salute
Emilio nineties Yun Aquilino
under Mamoru domino died of metastatic
area de la mina sako gutentag okuni des
neige OCT know what are they re-enactors
simple wheels
the line between defense and offense is
starting to blur Japan's 2017 military
budget is its biggest ever and the
self-defense forces have demonstrated
that they're expanding their
capabilities on land in the air and at
sea this is the sumo it's one of Japan's
brand-new carriers there's a
constitutional ban against Japan having
aircraft carriers and so they actually
classify this as a helicopter carrier
the Izumo looks so much like a
conventional aircraft carrier that other
countries have complained that it's a
violation of Japan's pacifist
commitments
I'm on top of the outdoor elevator that
brings all the aircrafts from the hangar
up to the deck critics have said that
this carrier is only called a helicopter
carrier because it's against the
Constitution to have an aircraft carrier
what's your reaction to that hotel goats
got their very same toga toga toga key
huh cop car Aditi calluna nobody moved a
mess in there Monica pop open e qu what
the hell she thinking it's good that do
you enjoy doing this I've been on a US
aircraft carrier before and this looks
pretty much exactly the same
could this transform into a carrier that
could deploy fighter jets like the f-35
we're gonna get there the Serenity no
koozie can we take Kaiser was River
sorry mo it must Coconino d KO it a save
in a shown in your state a cause you're
a river they cannot go a night on - yeah
okay state quality Google Dave an act a
way accomplished it's good audited not
only did the ahjummas commander concede
that the ship could be converted into an
attack vessel but it was also recently
deployed alongside an American
battleship in nearby waters as a clear
show of strength these growing naval
capabilities are exactly what Japan
wants to project towards China
especially when it comes to their
intensifying standoff over a small group
of uninhabited islands
nationalists from both countries
frequently make their way out to the
islands to plant their country's flag
one regular visitor is Satoru mizushima
an influential conservative talk show
host thank you for having me nice to
meet you
[Music]
gosh okay Decimus a Killa American Oh
terrific occurred by Sunday tbo no jelly
that's very messy
it's young toe bunny Sammy okay see that
a chemist that thank you for having me
you have a beautiful set here it was so
cool and all I'm not a high-ticket item
on this carry the more I behind us we
have videos of the Senkaku Islands what
is your opinion of what's going on there
right now between China and Japan what I
statue are fictional serial to vasudeva
sankarsana neon naruto the artifacts in
stephen's muscles so you
Kokura a know what I study Naima Nihon
Naruto no naka de it's a bunch India
cannot Kingman so do you think it's that
would actually be realistic that war
could break out there between Japan and
China
that's listo watch college guy area
whatever study no Sorento sponge
karateka Nina I know that stone is on
Okinawa so cool I know erinite oh this
real gun did you see Otto spirit Oh poo
you Nakata or arena sense of solidarity
a sense of community
Veronica Nino hi Jo Jo Jo Jeeta
koko de Tyga Tyga vada ki dhaara River a
no Campo right
I'm thinking I know this name this
suspicion of an aggressive China appears
to be growing as Japanese nationalists
have also taken to the streets to demand
a much stronger stance toward China you
know there are hundreds of people here
and what they're all protesting is
Japan's relationship with China they're
all pissed off they're already
encroaching
[Music]
she looks so cool
we chartered a boat to the sink ah keys
to see the disputed territories
ourselves the Japanese Coast Guard
intercepted our boat and jumped on board
I think you are sure Oh first can I just
ask you why did you stop us I want to
talk to the captain
I understand yeah I'm just trying to
understand it it couldn't I don't think
we're breaking any breaking any laws no
Q human record in case a t9 user tonight
at all what does the ballgame the Coast
Guard cited in 80 year old fishing
regulation as grounds to turn us away
but based on their past actions they're
concerned that an instant in these
waters could spark an actual conflict so
much so that these same Coast Guard
vessels will physically block civilian
boats from reaching our hands
and the hostility on the water is
escalating China has been claiming
constructing and militarizing islands in
the nearby South China Sea
dangerously amping up tensions with the
US and its allies in Asia but if local
hostilities did boil over into conflict
it would have major global consequences
because the original post-war agreements
also stipulated that in return for
Japan's pacifism the u.s. is legally
bound to defend them we're committed to
the security of Japan and all areas
under its administrative control retired
Admiral yogi Cota was once the
commander-in-chief of Japan's
self-defense fleet he made it clear that
if Japan goes to war the u.s. is going
with them one of the fundamental reasons
why Japan maintains the us-japan
alliance if anything the aggression
happens toward Japan self-defense force
role is to repel those invaders no more
than that we can strike the homeland
Japan fully depends on the strategic
deterrence and strike capability on the
United States if China really goes for
the military action the cost they are
going to pay is very bloody they know
that
in Japan has the hardware and the
personnel to exact that cost are in
Japanese fighters regularly patrol
contested airspace including over the
Senkaku 's and they launch whenever they
see Chinese planes doing the same
scrambling their jets more than 1100
times last year alone it's a tense
waiting game between the world's three
largest economies and it could erupt
into hostilities at any time the closer
they come the more sensitive
would become and we send our fighters to
say hello we will not fire we will not
fire we can't unless they fire first
[Music]
[Music]
関連動画をさらに表示
Sabina Shoal: China Says “Patience is Limited,” The Philippines Sends Warships | From The Frontline
The Escalating Sino-Philippine South China Sea Dispute Explained
Dispatch: India and China Compete For Influence in the South China Sea
The Six-Country Fight Over These Tiny, Terrible Islands
PH holds joint patrols with US, Canada, Australia | INQToday
Rise of Ultranationalism in Japan - Pacific War #0.3 DOCUMENTARY
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)