Originally posted by ChrisF231
reply to post by 44soulslayer
Agreed and that's something many people forget. Numbers mean jack if they can't go anywhere due to logistical or transport issues or if they don't even have enough weapons.
The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force is the 3rd largest navy in the world after the US Navy and the British Royal Navy. Japan has top of the line equipment and well trained personnel operating them. Japan could send North Korea back into the caveman times without even breaking a sweat.
And that is why I said in my previous post that North Korea has absolutely zero intention of actually going to war. Japan's threats won't stop NK from actually going forward with the launch. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if NK wants Japan to shoot the rocket down. Look at it this way... with reports of Iranian scientists on the ground at the launch site and a history of past weapons sales, if my theory of this launch being a big product demonstation is correct, then a Japanese shoot-down definitely wouldn't hurt the situation in the least... and very well could help, as the Koreans would save face if the rocket failed to stay on course or failed to deliver the range that was promised.
Here is the scenario as it will play out:
* Missile launched
* Missle splashes down with mixed reports (US & Japan say 'equipment failure' and NK saying 'shoot down')
* NK ups rhetoric and moves some troops around and towards the border
* SK goes on full alert
* China calls for diplomatic talks
* The US agrees
* Concessions are reached and NK is given some oil and other gifts to 'dismantle their ICBM program'
* Crisis averted... everyone wins (Obama looks solid in international politics, China looks like a great peacemaker, Japan proves their manhood, NK gets their goodies)
* Quietly, Iran, Venizula, Pakistan, etc. buy up some groovy new NK technology and hire a few rocket scientists
Rinse and repeat the next time NK has some new goods for the marketplace.
