China steps up aggressive actions near Senkakus: Aircraft violates Japanese airspace

This is a little more worrisome with respect to bluffing and brinkmanship than the boats because international law gives a country the right to expel an unauthorized aircraft by force.

While Japan has not used naval vessels designed for combat for the enforcement of the Senkaku territory (it has used coast guard vessels), the Mitsubishi F-15J is undeniably an interceptor fighter designed for combat and military engagement.

At this point in time with the rise of the middle class in China, and the government loosing its grip on the hearts and minds of those people it’s likely that the cold war will only end when it becomes a hot one. The Chinese government would gain a lot of domestic support by doing so. I’m sure they’re counting on Japan’s allies to stand by while this happens, but there would be little margin of error if that were to work. The nationalistic fire would be stoked to an uncontrollable blaze if this were to happen, and military would be obliged to attack the Japanese mainland, causing a big ol’ war. We really don’t need this, I’m hoping for the best, but things don’t look good right now.

Thanks for that “special insight” there General Yankdownunder.

First you have NO CLUE what the American Military will do (or not do). It’s not up to the US Military to fight over internal disputes (which Tibet is) nor to protect Japan’s claim on a few useless rocks. Besides, why is it the US job? Where’s the UN? Where’s all of Japan’s (or Tibet’s) other Allies? US Military is in Japan to prevent full out destabilization of the area (which would include a invasion of mainland Japan by any external force).

Second do you have any idea how many BILLIONS (probably TRILLIONS) of dollars worth of hardware and manpower the Military presence in Japan is? Where, exactly, do you think Japan will come up with that type of money to replace them? Japan is on the verge of a major economic meltdown, and can’t get a leader that could defend himself (and Japan) from a sack of wet noodles. How do you think they could possibly defend Japan from China without the might of the US Military at their side?

You (and CandianBacon) should climb back on your unicorns and ride up the rainbow to your pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking if you really believe getting rid of the US Military presence in Japan is a good idea (especially in these times) .