Speaking of the Japanese military- look how things change

I mean, one hundred years ago Japan was barely emerging from a self imposed exile into the Sixteenth century-

A novel culture where the ruling elite embodied the very most civilized and at the same time- the most brutal- aspects of Japanese society.

With the restoration of the Emperor- Japan went through a forced modernization and transformation into the dominant military power in Asia.

In 1939- merely 64 years ago- within the lifetime's of many of our own parents, Imperial Japan was an unremittingly brutal, Emporer woshipping monster- intent on the absolute dominion of Asia and the Pacific. Raizing China and torturing/raping/experimenting on it inhabitants.

And at this very same time- Germany, under Hitler, was a dominant agressive power bent of conquering Europe and establishing a thousand years reich. All the while fostering the hope that they could literally wipe out the European Jew.

And now- BAM!

Japan is a friendly, pacifist economic superpower

And Germany is a borderline-socialist peace-mongering little field of love

Look at the changes the world has gone through in such a short time

It's so wierd to see those PBS specials with all the WWII footage in full color.

It makes you realise just how recently all these things happened.

Lesson-learned.

FYI Japan is slowly buying up military equipment, a butt-load from Russia in particular (tanks etc).

Yeah, Russian tanks are to be feared. (end sarcasm)

neobuyer said:

I mean, one hundred years ago Japan was barely emerging from a self imposed exile into the Sixteenth century-

A novel culture where the ruling elite embodied the very most civilized and at the same time- the most brutal- aspects of Japanese society.

With the restoration of the Emperor- Japan went through a forced modernization and transformation into the dominant military power in Asia.

In 1939- merely 64 years ago- within the lifetime's of many of our own parents, Imperial Japan was an unremittingly brutal, Emporer woshipping monster- intent on the absolute dominion of Asia and the Pacific. Raizing China and torturing/raping/experimenting on it inhabitants.

And at this very same time- Germany, under Hitler, was a dominant agressive power bent of conquering Europe and establishing a thousand years reich. All the while fostering the hope that they could literally wipe out the European Jew.

And now- BAM!

Japan is a friendly, pacifist economic superpower

And Germany is a borderline-socialist peace-mongering little field of love

Look at the changes the world has gone through in such a short time

It's so wierd to see those PBS specials with all the WWII footage in full color.

It makes you realise just how recently all these things happened.

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I hope to god we can say the same thing about Iraq 40 years down the line...

jefmcc said:

Yeah, Russian tanks are to be feared. (end sarcasm)

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...yeah they don't "OWN THE NIGHT" very well do they?

The Japanese government is sending 100,000 troops to Iraq.

All I know, is that they got owned.

Daklighterx said:

All I know, is that they got owned.

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Twice.

AztekNinja said:

The Japanese government is sending 100,000 troops to Iraq.

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Actually I think it's 5,000.

Japan's military is still considered the "special defense force", so sending more than a few thousand troops overseas is against the Japanese constitution. That's changing however, I think within the next 15 years Japan will have a fully equipped offensive military on par with China's (well...almost, to scale at least).

Re: Re: Speaking of the Japanese military- look how things change

JHendrix said:

I hope to god we can say the same thing about Iraq 40 years down the line...

Click to expand...

I hope to god we can say the same thing about USA 4 years down the line...