Japan won't survive what China has in store for them if they're 'pacifist', simple as that. Japan needs a real military again. Ultimately, it needs nukes, but they'll have a massive internal struggle to overcome in regards to that.
China has Nukes, and China hates their guts (pretty fucking justifiably, too) for their unprovoked crimes in Nanking and Manchuria.
If Japan is not seriously re-armed by the time Chinese air and navy capabilities start to challenge US dominance, they'll be conquered, and the way the Chinese will treat them will erase any complaint about the US that Japanese ultranationalists ever had.
It's a small step, but that's why their newest "helicopter" carriers are doing trials to house and launch F35s. And their warships have Jap built radar systems on par with the US.
Japan won't survive what China has in store for them if they're 'pacifist', simple as that. Japan needs a real military again. Ultimately, it needs nukes, but they'll have a massive internal struggle to overcome in regards to that.
China has Nukes, and China hates their guts (pretty fucking justifiably, too) for their unprovoked crimes in Nanking and Manchuria.
If Japan is not seriously re-armed by the time Chinese air and navy capabilities start to challenge US dominance, they'll be conquered, and the way the Chinese will treat them will erase any complaint about the US that Japanese ultranationalists ever had.
Adding to that is Japan's stance to defend Taiwan from China as they have said. If the US isn't strong behind them this could actually doom them.
China needs another Nanking. Might teach them some fucking humility.
At least this time only the communists would be affected..
It's a small step, but that's why their newest "helicopter" carriers are doing trials to house and launch F35s. And their warships have Jap built radar systems on par with the US.