Not sure which thread I/Snark discussed this in a bit but I will just post this development here. Yes. If one is concerned about Taiwan, the remedy is to fire up Japan not just incremental weaponry upgrades and flyovers in Taiwan. China most definitely does not want a militarized Japan in its neighborhood. As I said before, Japan can not necessarily counter China but it can take care of some "bidness" as they say in Texas. One of the unintended consequences of seeing a weak and confused Commander in Chief in the U.S. is that many/most of our allies realize that they are probably much more on their own now than ever. Joe might want to do the right thing but he is like the surgeon who intends to remove your tonsils and ends out removing your left kidney. Other than that, it's all good. ========================================== YONAGUNI, Japan—China’s growing assertiveness toward Taiwan has triggered a public push by Japanese leaders to plan for a possible conflict, a shift that could lead to closer cooperation with the U.S. military. Tokyo officials, normally wary of upsetting Beijing, are speaking openly about preparing for a crisis and supporting Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by China, despite Japan’s pacifist constitution. Like the U.S., Japan doesn’t have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. But on Friday, lawmakers in Tokyo and Taipei held a rare meeting by videoconference to discuss ways to boost ties, including possible cooperation in maritime rescue. Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso said recently in a speech to supporters that Japan and the U.S. should plan together to defend the island in the event of hostilities. In its annual regional security review, Japan said there a “greater sense of crisis than ever before” regarding Taiwan, after China stepped up maneuvers by its ships and aircraft nearby. https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-chi...s-preparing-for-possible-conflict-11630067601