very true but the actions of the USA will have an impact especially with how the CCP responds.
This is very true, either by deterring or provoking.
As far as Japans leanings
Japan Reacts to the New US National Security Strategy
The plan codifies demands for Japan to spend more on defense and increase its capabilities – efforts Japanese officials say are already underway.
The plan codifies demands for Japan to spend more on defense and increase its capabilities – efforts Japanese officials say are already underway.
thediplomat.com
South Korea is not responding negatively to US proposals for increased defense commitments either.
The U.S. and South Korea are deepening their strategic alliance even as Seoul works to reclaim wartime control of its military from Washington.
www.stripes.com
The US has also green lite to SK building nuclear powered attack Sub with US providing support with reactor and propulsion areas.
U.S President Donald Trump has announced that the U.S government has given the go ahead for South Korea to build Nuclear Submarines on U.S soil.
www.navalnews.com
Just as there is discussion in Japan to also build nuclear powered attack subs.
Japan and South Korea both have proven ship building capabilities.
South Korea is already major shipbuilder in the world. With an industrial capacity that is already spun up and running.
So the question is not so much could China take on the US, Japan and ROK.
Of course the could “take us on”. Could they do so and prevail without unacceptable losses. That’s the real question. And how soon might that window close, if open at all.
After all we have debated what kind of conventional attacks from Russia into Europe might the US tolerate before responding with nukes. What kind of conventional loses would they allow to happen in Japan or SK before we might escalate.
Start seeing IRBM falling in Tokyo Seoul or Taipei. That’s a completely different calculus for Washington to run.
The other question that should be asked is what sleeping military industrial and technology giant has China woken in their own backyard.
Japan is exploring a full range of defensive and offensive weapons to counter China NK and Russia in Asia.
We already recognize japans capabilities to produce cutting edge technology and industrial capabilities once they turn their attention to it.
Japan is also the third largest shipbuilder in the world after China and South Korea. They are also investing heavily in maritime capacity already.