As global attention focuses on China and Japan, Tokyo and Manila are quietly deepening their economic and “defense” ties.
Tag: Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)
Japan’s new justice minister admits ties with Unification Church [CIA] + More
New Japanese Justice Minister Hideki Makihara admitted Tuesday that he and his secretary have attended events related to the Unification Church a total of 37 times.
Japan’s new justice minister admits ties with Unification Church
Related:
24 junior ministers had Unification Church ties
Twenty-four of the 54 state ministers and parliamentary vice ministers in Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Cabinet had ties to the religious group Unification Church, according to an analysis by The Asahi Shimbun.
‘Asian Nato’ calls, Taiwan moves: should Beijing worry as Japan’s Ishiba gets going?
Hideki Makihara (牧原 秀樹, Makihara Hideki, born 1971) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Tokyo he attended the University of Tokyo and law school at Georgetown University in the United States. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005.
Spies Like Us: The Spooks of Georgetown
If you have ever wondered, “where do America’s spies come from?” the answer is quite possibly the Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS) at Georgetown University. It is only a modestly-seized institution, yet the school provides the backbone for the Central Intelligence Agency, Department of Defense, State Department, and other organs of the national security state.
C.I.A. Spent Millions to Support Japanese Right in 50’s and 60’s
As the C.I.A. supported the Liberal Democrats, it undermined their opponents. It infiltrated the Japan Socialist Party, which it suspected was receiving secret financial support from Moscow, and placed agents in youth groups, student groups and labor groups, former C.I.A. officers said.
An Unholy Alliance: How the Unification Church Penetrated Japan’s Ruling Liberal Democratic Party
Japan-U.S. joint statement on war preparations forecasts doom
The United States has announced it will upgrade U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) to a joint force headquarters (JFHQ) with expanded operational responsibilities. The new command will report to the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). The revamped structure will assume the control of about 55,000 personnel stationed in Japan from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command some 6,200 kilometers away in Honolulu, Hawaii. The move is intended to streamline communications between the US and Japan, especially during a crisis involving China.
Japan-U.S. joint statement on war preparations forecasts doom
Former Japanese prime minister provocatively visits Taiwan
In another provocative move directed at Beijing, former Japanese prime minister and virulent anti-China hawk Taro Aso recently visited Taiwan for three days. He met with senior government officials, including President Tsai Ing-wen and declared that Japan, the US and Taiwan should ramp up plans for war with mainland China.
Former Japanese prime minister provocatively visits Taiwan
Related:
China strongly condemns Japanese politician’s visit to Taiwan: FM spokesperson
NATO to expand Asia-Pacific presence by opening office in Japan + What can China do about it?
Last week, news emerged that NATO intends to open a liaison office in Tokyo, Japan next year. The office would be NATO’s first in the Asia-Pacific region and represents the increasing role of the organisation in preparation for a US-led war against China. Both Tokyo and NATO have confirmed the plans.
NATO to expand Asia-Pacific presence by opening office in Japan
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What can China do against NATO’s foray into Asia?
So what can China do to respond to this attempt at ‘alliance encirclement’ against it? First, it can strengthen its ties with Russia and aim to create a deeper balance of power in the Asia-Pacific. Secondly, it can revitalize old alliances and strengthen its ties with North Korea as a military partner. After all, the DPRK is still obligated by the 1961 treaty of mutual assistance to come to China’s aid in a war and can be used to contain Japan and South Korea. Thirdly, it can look to build new military partnerships with regional countries who feel similarly threatened by US expansionism; for example, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. While the rest of ASEAN are likely to stay neutral, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam (excluding the US-aligned Philippines), China should work to improve its relationships with these countries in order to prevent the US from trying to ‘force’ them to choose.
Ms. Cat’s Chronicles 