Godzilla's Revenge

So the Japanese are freaking out about the NoKo's latest blustering in the Sea of Japan. They've dispatched a warship as a message to Kim. There's even talk that Japan may rearm.

What makes anyone think Japan ever disarmed?

This is one of the post-war myths Americans have, the notion that Japan is now a pacifist country with no military to speak of. Given Japan's strategic location during the Cold War it was a bulwark against Soviets in the Pacific. Of course today Japan serves the same purpose against China.

Let's Jake take a look at the Japanese military ca 1990 [1990, I wonder why?]-Ed?

In 1990 the Japanese air force flew nearly 200 F-15 fighters, 150 F-4 Phantoms and 70 F-1 fighter-bombers. At sea the Japanese boasted an advanced and powerful fleet. This included 39 destroyers, 18 frigates and 15 submarines. The Japanese also had 70 high-tech P-3 Orion anti-sub aircraft. In short, had the Soviets made a move in the Pacific, Japan had significant force with which to fight back, irrespective of American involvement.

Now this military has fascinated me for some time and even shows up in Operation Eastern Storm. World War 1990: ANZACs was originally supposed to be World War 1990: Operation Pacific Storm. But as we wrote we decided that the Aussies and Kiwis were a compelling story all their own and we struck all the Japanese sections. Don't worry, the Japanese will appear in some form in World War 1990: The Final Storm.

I mean, I grew up in post-WWII America. Come on now,