Could japan be a major military power?

[HK_Thoughtful]

Agreed...A unifed EU military is still forthcoming and faces many challenges, but there is some progess being made.
Back to the Japan question, does anyone have information on what the Japanese people have to say about the clause in their constitution that limits the extent of their military power?

 

[Big-E]

Agreed...A unifed EU military is still forthcoming and faces many challenges, but there is some progess being made.
Back to the Japan question, does anyone have information on what the Japanese people have to say about the clause in their constitution that limits the extent of their military power?

Until EU becomes the United States of Europe it won't happen.

When I was stationed in Japan the concensus was they wanted America out and leave them to take care of themeselves. Of course this was shortly after a US sailor raped a young girl, tensions were running pretty high as we weren't allowed off base. I think this feeling still persists. The recent move of US servicemen out of Okinawa is a repercussion of this feeling.

 

[Snayke]

Or the United Provinces of Europe.

But yeh, I agree that if the people want increased responsibility of their own defence, let them. As long as they don't build it up past the point of defence and it becomes a military with major offensive capabilities.

 

[contedicavour]

Back to Japan...

Folks, back to the topic...
The Japanese military assets are impressive, although I wonder to what an extent their personnel is appropriately trained. Few overseas missions, and none with military focus (yes, because of the Constitution, I know) ...
The air force is well equipped for air-to-air missions, though air-to-ground assets are very limited.
The navy is extremely well equipped for ASW (through its 18 modern subs, the 30+ escort ships and the new ships replacing the old DDH) and for AAW (the Kongos AEGIS), but despite the new Osumis probably still lacks training to operate battle groups far away from its harbors. Technically there are enough AORs and Japanese Coast Guard units have operated in the Indian Ocean, but its destroyers have never gone overseas.
The army, despite the contingent deployed in a very safe area of Southern Iraq, seems geared only for self-defense.

No problem with focusing on self-defense of course, still this limits a lot any "major military power" status...

cheers

 

[KAPITAIN]

Japanese are very highly trained they train with the americans russians even the british and indians id have no doubt they could attack as well as defend as for thier fighters and attack aircraft im dead sure they are fully capible of taking on air to ground as well as air to air.

The navy is the most valued one, they do know how to oparate a battle group they have also been part of a coalition battle group in training exercises.

What stops china from declaring war on japan is america, they dont want to strike to early.

 

[contedicavour]

Japanese are very highly trained they train with the americans russians even the british and indians id have no doubt they could attack as well as defend as for thier fighters and attack aircraft im dead sure they are fully capible of taking on air to ground as well as air to air.

The navy is the most valued one, they do know how to oparate a battle group they have also been part of a coalition battle group in training exercises.

What stops china from declaring war on japan is america, they dont want to strike to early.

What sort of air-to-ground missiles or smart bombs does the Japanese Air Force have ? I mean, do they have stand-off missiles such as the European Storm Shadow ? Do they have Mavericks and Paveway guided bombs ?

 

[KAPITAIN]

From a well educated guess id say they have almost exactly the same weapons as the americans.

 

[contedicavour]

From a well educated guess id say they have almost exactly the same weapons as the americans.

You may be right, but this astonishes me since my understanding is that Japanese armed forces are only allowed to buy self-defense equipment, and stand-off missiles are clearly offensive and not defensive weaponry. Just as aircraft carriers, SSBNs, and all other assets the Japanese armed forces are currently not allowed to possess.

 

[KAPITAIN]

China invades okinawa and sets up a small base where it will finaly invade mainland japan.

HARMS JDAMS Cluster bombs can be used on mainland and japanese terratory because it is defence, cause what you going to use if you cant get to that outer island with land forces? going to have to use air power because the navy cant do it all.

So id definatly say yes they could have all these weapons for defence use.

and the Oosumi class could possibly carry harriers or even F35's

 

[contedicavour]

China invades okinawa and sets up a small base where it will finaly invade mainland japan.

HARMS JDAMS Cluster bombs can be used on mainland and japanese terratory because it is defence, cause what you going to use if you cant get to that outer island with land forces? going to have to use air power because the navy cant do it all.

So id definatly say yes they could have all these weapons for defence use.

and the Oosumi class could possibly carry harriers or even F35's

Sure, the Osumis are fitted for but not with the sky jump for Harriers. I doubt however we'll see sky jumps fitted soon, since this would push the Chinese to make the Varyag operational ...

 

[KAPITAIN]

All varyag needs is propellors engines shafts some self defence equipment then a load of SU33's and shes ready a process that could take 2 months max, she came 90% complete so putting them small things in is no big deal.

As for the ski jumps the harriers dont realy need them, take a look at the iwo jima and tarrawa class they dont use ski jumps.

 

[norinco89]

90% done?!

Are kidding me! the superstructure might be 90% done but there is nothing in that thing. It still needs engines which china cannot produce(at least one that can power a carrier that size), It needs radar, ew, etc. Not to say planes and training on how to operate a carrier.

The carrier superstructure can cost billions to make. The electronics can cost more than twice the cost of superstructure. The planes cost alot too. NOt to say the weapons needed for the planes.

A couple of billion dollars is a lot. The superstructure is rusted, flooded and most likely in serious need of repair. 2 months would like the building a house in two hours. It is imposible.

The carrier if they begin to repair and weaponize it would take at least 4-9 years. Thats if they make it the first priority

 

[Big-E]

All varyag needs is propellors engines shafts some self defence equipment then a load of SU33's and shes ready a process that could take 2 months max, she came 90% complete so putting them small things in is no big deal.

As for the ski jumps the harriers dont realy need them, take a look at the iwo jima and tarrawa class they dont use ski jumps.

90% my ass!!! It was 70% and here engines were gutted. Do you know how difficult it is to assemble engines on a ship thats already been hulled, it is no small task! It would be more like 3 years to get her running again. It takes more than two months to replace the propellers on a Nimitz carrier and those are pre-assembled on a working shaft.

Your comparing Varyag running SU-33 C-TOLs on a ski-jump to Iwo Jima and her AV-8 V-TOL harriers. WHY???

 

[contedicavour]

90% done?!

Are kidding me! the superstructure might be 90% done but there is nothing in that thing. It still needs engines which china cannot produce(at least one that can power a carrier that size), It needs radar, ew, etc. Not to say planes and training on how to operate a carrier.

The carrier superstructure can cost billions to make. The electronics can cost more than twice the cost of superstructure. The planes cost alot too. NOt to say the weapons needed for the planes.

A couple of billion dollars is a lot. The superstructure is rusted, flooded and most likely in serious need of repair. 2 months would like the building a house in two hours. It is imposible.

The carrier if they begin to repair and weaponize it would take at least 4-9 years. Thats if they make it the first priority

You're right. Just think of how much time is needed to make the former Admiral Gorshkov operational for India. True, superstructures have been changed, but this was at least an almost-operational carrier.
However, if Japan were to procure Harriers or join te JSF programme with the VSTOL variant, I'm sure China would make completing the Varyag a real priority.

 

[Snayke]

KAPITAIN, you're rather paranoid with China invading Japan. May I ask what leads you to believe China WILL be an aggressor against Japan?