North Korean Missile Test

[Kaliayev]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

You underestimate Japan's "Self Defence Force".
True, a section in the constitution forbids them sending troops overseas. But they have a large and well equipped military oops I mean Self Defence Force. Almost 250,000 troops, and, as examples, more than 800 tanks, 100 F4 Phantom fighter jets, 200 F15 Eagle fighter jets, dozens of destroyers, 18 submarines.

However, you might point out that they lack capacity to deploy force overseas in large amounts. That, and public opinion and the constitution, are the only things holding them back.

According to many Japanese, many abductees have not been returned. I don't know the facts on this.

I disagree. The SDF does not attract high calibre recruits, and many can quit at any time (being, technically, civilian forces). Conditions are hardly what would be called "attractive", even by the relatively low standards of military life in general, and their main combat experience has been as U.N. Peacekeepers and in aid relief. They're highly reliant on the USA for any sort of credible form of deterrence. Their navy is incapable of even defending their own vital trade links with the rest of the world.

In addition, there are problems with large deployments and popular opinion yes, though in the case of self-defence the latter would no doubt vanish fairly quickly.

I've heard the stories too, but without evidence they are little more than stories. Lots of people go missing, for lots of reasons. Some people may prefer the idea that their loved ones were taken by force. Its better than imagining they left of their own accord, or are dead. Some may be true, but without evidence...who's to say?