Japan $5 billion aid to Afghanistan

[burkhartdesu]

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Japan to boost aid to Afghanistan


Japan's government has pledged $5bn (£3bn) in new aid to Afghanistan over the next five years.


Looks like the new Japanese government is showing they are still a prominent ally in America's war on "terror".


I'm not very familiar with Japanese politics. Is this big news in Japan?



Japan's government has been working on a plan to offer more aid to Afghanistan since announcing it would end a mission by the Maritime Self Defence Force to supply fuel to assist US-led operations in the country.

Now there is a figure - $5bn (£3bn) over the next five years.

It is likely to be used for job training, helping former Taliban fighters to reintegrate with society, and for agriculture and infrastructure development.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is expected to discuss details of the scheme with President Obama when he visits Japan on Friday.

Mr Hatoyama took power in September after winning a landslide in a general election which ended more than half a century of almost unbroken power for the conservative Liberal Democratic Party.

His Democratic Party of Japan wants a more equal relationship with the United States.

[burkhartdesu]

Really? No commentary?

[MMM]

Originally Posted by burkhartdesu

Really? No commentary?

Nice bump.

What does Japan putting money into building schools and hospitals have to do with the "war on terror"?

[Sangetsu]

Originally Posted by MMM

Nice bump.

What does Japan putting money into building schools and hospitals have to do with the "war on terror"?

Because building these things will help stabilize Afghan society, hopefully helping to prevent the previous lawlessness which allowed Afghanistan to become the "boot camp" of Islamic terrorists.

The most successful wars are not fought on the battlefield.

[pumpum]

Originally Posted by Sangetsu

Because building these things will help stabilize Afghan society, hopefully helping to prevent the previous lawlessness which allowed Afghanistan to become the "boot camp" of Islamic terrorists.

The most successful wars are not fought on the battlefield.

this money wont do jack all - its just pledged for the sake of pledging or building roads for the US military.

[Sinestra]

I was told the new gov wants to stop the refueling missions they have going in the Indian ocean. So they are trying to compromise with the US by pledging this money to help the Afghans.

[Ryzorian]

It's all politics anyway.

[clintjm]

Originally Posted by Sinestra

I was told the new gov wants to stop the refueling missions they have going in the Indian ocean. So they are trying to compromise with the US by pledging this money to help the Afghans.

indeed... and Tokyo's Afghan aid will help ease the tension over bilateral security issues, such as U.S. military bases in Okinawa and reducing Japan's financial assistance to some 48K U.S. troops there.

Yes... as mentioned below... all politics.

[MMM]

First world countries have been giving billions in aid to second and third world countries for decades. It's kind of like how rich people are forced into giving to charity every year because other rich people do it.

I am not seeing what the big deal burkhart is looking for.

[burkhartdesu]

Originally Posted by MMM

I am not seeing what the big deal burkhart is looking for.

It's hilarious and somewhat offensive that you assume I'm searching for some sort of controversy in this -- I simply mentioned the news, and was curious to see if it was something of interest in Japan or elsewhere (or if the Japanese are even aware).

What does Japan putting money into building schools and hospitals have to do with the "war on terror"?

Schools and hospitals? Pretty dramatic, MMM.