[/floatr]Asahi: Ozawa's national security comment causes a stir
Opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa's remark on Japan's national security, seemingly questioning the need for much of the U.S. military presence in Japan, is making waves as friend and foe alike try to decipher its meaning. While talking to reporters in Kashiba, Nara Prefecture...he said, "In these times, there is not much meaning to having the United States basing its troops on the front lines. From a strategic military standpoint, since the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet is here, that is sufficient for the U.S. presence in the Far East"...Asked about his previous comment on Friday, Ozawa said, "If Japan fulfilled its role for the defense of Japan as much as possible, the burden placed on the U.S. military would decline, wouldn't it? I only said what I think is a very natural thing"...Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima said, "If his true intent is to have Japan do everything else, that would lead to an expansion of the Self-Defense Forces. We are opposed to military expansion"...A Minshuto lawmaker close to Ozawa pointed to the party leader's long ties with China. "It is not meant to seek greater military power," the lawmaker said about Ozawa's comments. "If the U.S. military presence in Asia is reduced, then China will also not have to expand its military power"...more...
