Japanese Forces moving towards NK

I'm watching CNN, listening to a Brit, and they mentioned that there are reports of Japanese forces moving towards North Korea. Do we have any confirmation of this?

[edit on 9-10-2006 by LooseLipsSinkShips]

I havent heard this,but i know enough,that if that s the case,things could get outta hand rather quickly.

How can they be moving towards North Korea? Would this be the Navy, the Air Force?

Japan does not have an army and cannot function in war, look up there constitution.

you guys are more than likely right, but this British version of CNN that I'm getting in Chicago, IL says differently. However, they didn't go into detail.

[edit on 9-10-2006 by LooseLipsSinkShips]

When pressed...you'd be amazed at what people can do, Rock.

Their constitution has been trumped by the now-nuclear power that sent ICBM's over their country earlier this year.

DE

If the report is "true" it is most likely intelligence and reconnaissance assets/forces, such assets can be either from the Navy or Air Force, or both. But they are not forces for military conflict or offensive operations. That is simply not the case, nor will it be the case for the foreseeable future.

Originally posted by Rockpuck
Japan does not have an army and cannot function in war, look up there constitution.

You do realise that Japan has a mlitary as large as the UK. Do you think the UK could do someting, in this situation? Japan spends ~44 billion and the UK ~43 billion. As I have said before, in previous threads, do not underestimate the JSDF. they have teeth.

Additionaly one could make the argument that NK actions in the past 24 months constitutes a clear and present danger. thus any actions would be of a pre-emptive defensive nature. That would cover the JSDF under their constitution. Hawks in the new govt have been calling for a wording change to that clause. I would say their stock has just gone up.

That being said, I would not expect an hostile moves by Japan.

Didn't find anything about Japan moving it, but they are forming a task force to assess the situation.

CNN News Link

Originally posted by WestPoint23
If the report is "true" it is most likely intelligence and reconnaissance assets/forces, such assets can be either from the Navy or Air Force, or both. But they are not forces for military conflict or offensive operations. That is simply not the case, nor will it be the case for the foreseeable future.

Exactly..
Sniffer planes etc. etc.. with possible fighter escort of course to gauge if any radiation has leaked out into the atmosphere and sample any data to get an accurate assessment of the Nuclear test.
Military options are obviously very limited.

I have heard that the US is planing to stop any ships heading into and out of NK and search them. That could be what those Jap ships are getting ready to help out with if they were to get the order (as well as intel gathering). Such actions would probably spark a war, and we have seen stupid moves from the Bush administration befor. The most important thing for the US to realize now is if they are not dealing with a USSR and much time has already passed since the Cuban missile crisis. NK would act differently in this situation, and increasing the pressure, DeusEx, would do nothing more then escalate the conflict to war. The US has been putting lots of pressure on them for years. This is the result of that pressure. NK simply does the exact opposite of what the US is aking or trying to force them to do. If anyone here thinks that NK is gonna back down because Japan, UK, and US are gonna put an "off the grid" sum of $$$ into fighting them you are wrong. Neither do they care about all those nukes that UK and US boast, or the missiles that deliver them simply because they know that no nukes will be launched at them. SK is too close, and the US would not try to creat radiation problems for them. Then China is too close, who most likely will not feel too comfy about having US nukes flying that close to their country. Even with China, "their communist brother against them, I think NK will still keep going in the same direction they were all these years despite "alot of pressure" from US and China from all sides. Weather they will win a war against US, China, UK (should they tag along after the US like in Iraq) and some ships from the Japs is a diff topic. Personally I strongly doubt it, seeing as China is not backing them. However, since now the have access to a nuclear arsenal (misslies not required, they can just detonate them if a war on their soil comes being the crazy suicidal bastards they are) this war would have a bit of a different twist to it. I'm pretty sure that the Jap fleet there will be carrying out US needs (that is why i'm thinking that they are assisting on a possible blockade). A nation like Japan would have no interest in moving ships towards NK unless they were doing it in US interests.

Regards

Here is an article with some confirmation to your original question,But, as some of the other posters have suggested the planes that Japan sent are to check radiation levels.

feeds.thejapannews.net...

appreciate the link.

also, i have heard that a naval blockade is an option the US is considering. things are about to get real entertaining...

Originally posted by Rockpuck
Japan does not have an army and cannot function in war, look up there constitution.

I'd have to go dig up an Order of Battle for Japan, (globalsecurity.org has one I think), but Japan's army (ground self defense force) is over 8 or 9 divisions. Their divisions are somewhat smaller then ours (and I think about 1/3 or more of most of them are filled out by reservists) but that is a very formidable ground force. In fact the active US Army sits around the equivalent of 12 divisions, so it's pretty big.

I don't recall exact air force numbers but I think it is about 6 or 7 tactical wings (500+ fighter and attack aircraft) including F-15's.

Their navy is mostly frigates and destroyers, but very professional, especially in ASW. They can't go into N. Korea, but I bet if it gets "hot" overthere we can count on them contributing alot, especially if they are directly hit by Kim.

The thing is with a blockade..

The US threatened Korea , either have a future or have nukes..

we backed down and are now talking sanctions and crap.

Korea has come out saying if sanctions are tought penalties are imposed they will consider than an act of war.

so imagine this..

Blockade in place.
North Korean Ship is coming BACK into its territory with some sort of shipment.
The US blockade demands it to stop.
The shop doesnt stop.
The US Fires warnings across its bow, it does not stop.

the US .. has to either hit it.. and spark a large and costly war which no one wants over the GUESS that there's something specific on board.

OR they can allow it to go through, and show the weakness of our western world.

Korea, clearly is not phased by the action of WAR.
Where as the US and its allies are.. not because we cant handle it, but beacuse it will change a lot of things in todays life.

They are going to run the blockade, should it be setup..
Are we prepared to strike them, and risk an all out war?

Originally posted by Agit8dChop
The thing is with a blockade..
...They are going to run the blockade, should it be setup..
Are we prepared to strike them, and risk an all out war?

I see where you are going, but your focus, as always, is on the US. The Korean War was a UN sanctioned conflict, via UN Res. 82. BTW no peace treaty has been signed by the NK and the US, only a cease fire. NK and SK have signed a non-aggression pact though.

Any blockade would have to fall under the aegis of a UN Res. Since the conflict was a UN event, it would be proper for any embargo or blockade to have a UN "seal of approval". And since it would be a UN action, it would be safe to assume that other member-states' naval assets would participate.

It is my understanding that the US/UK/France blockade request allows the importation of food, meds, POL, and other similar items. Any NK ship carrying these items would only have to submit to a search. Once the ship's cargo was confirmed it could proceed.

so imagine this..

Blockade in place.
North Korean Ship is coming BACK into its territory with some sort of shipment.
The US blockade demands it to stop.
The shop doesnt stop.
The US Fires warnings across its bow, it does not stop.
the US .. has to either hit it.. and spark a large and costly war which no one wants over the GUESS that there's something specific on board.
OR they can allow it to go through, and show the weakness of our western world.

Your scenario shows your bias! It would not be a US blockade! It would be a UN blockade. No one, not even the US govt. is suggesting that they will enforce a blockade alone. In fact the very reason the US has not gone that route before, was that any US blockade (that lacked a UN res.) would be illegal under international maritime law. Thus any actions taken to stop a "runner" would not be based upon a "Guess" but on the basis of the very act of running an internationally sanctioned UN blockade is an illegal one.
On a side note; I would expect any blockade to occur outside of NK waters. It is my understanding that then it would be in international waters and fall under the privy of the UN.

And how long would a u.n.blockade agreement take 2 pass?weeks.months,never?

This is going to end up being like the Cuban Missile Crisis Part Deux. The only question is will this guy back down or will he stand up to us. I hope he takes the cue from Krushev (It was Krushev wasn't it?I was a toddler!) and backs down.


Pie

Imper-Americana,
Granted..
So, im sure you have the ability to understand my point tho.

Regardless WHO is doing the blockade.. and regardless of WHERE.
Nkorea has already stated sanctions will be considered an act of war.
So what do you expect them to say, when we blockade them, and force there ships to be searched?

I mean, sure... a good portion of the ships probably are carrying food and medicine.
But what if Kim has said every ship is simply to continue on its course, regardless of what your carrying?

It will come down to the point where eveantually a ship bound for Nkorea.... that doest stop on orders from the 'UN or whomever' imposed blockade.. will either be left with firering on the ship to FORCE it to stop.. ultimately plunging the region into WAR.. or allowing it to go through.. showing the world doesnt have the stomach.

Agit8dChop,

Sure Kim could order them to continue, but we are talking about freighters here not warships or speed boats. They can still be boarded. But I expect that you are fishing for someone to say it....so I will.

Not I would only support a blockade if it was under a UN order. With that being said, if Kim orders his ships to run the blockade, then he is the one starting the war against the UN. It does not matter if he issues threats. As with persons, the world community can not live by the idle threats of a nutter.

If he orders his ships to run, he knows what will happen if they do that and he will do what? "Plunge the Region in War"? Please! The only way a UN res will make it is if China and Russia do not veto it. That means NK is isolated and alone. That means NK will back down, sorry they need China and right now China has egg on their face.