I guess the debate depends on what one means by demoted.

I’ll leave it to you and Debito to decide!

You said you think the policy is absurd.

I’m thinking that it may be the 大雑把 (oozappa) way they went about it that might be creating the biggest problem. I’m still thinking about this issue.

Your comments were very thoughtful. Thank you.

You replied to two serious topics:
1. US forces in Japan
2. Constitutionality of the SDF

These are very serious issues, and I was being flippant. I should be more careful when I express my opinion on these issues. My opinion is as I stated it, and I hope to explain this in more detail in the future. When I do so I will try to be as thoughtful as you were. I really appreciate your comments.

Also, reading your post, I saw the word clearance and realized that was the key word I was looking for in my Google search. I’m still fishing around on this, but just briefly I did turn up something. The following is from a Q&A about State department jobs in the foreign service:

Question: How much would an international marriage affect getting a security clearance? And does the potential spouse’s country of origin pose any problems? For example, Canada compared to communist China?
Answer: Foreign ties are one element of the security clearance process. Marriage to a foreign spouse will be considered but by no means will necessarily preclude getting a security clearance; it may lengthen the time needed to complete the investigation. The country of nationality of one’s spouse could influence the clearance process and also could influence where one is (or is not) assigned.

Here is the link.

I’m still looking for more …

However, I do agree with Debito that this action is absurd.

As for being careless it happens, makes me shudder at the thought that we are the defenders of the US…

In the case of US bases in Japan first off I prefer to make the distinction between the ones on the Home Islands and those on the Ryukyu chain. Most of the bases have been moved to the Ryuyku chain much to the chagrin of the locals who are not considered as culturally equal to Yamato Japanese. Hence why the Ryukuyans are much more opposed to US bases because their say in the matter is decidedly small. The bases are there as a result of the Cold War when the US needed front line bases to respond to any action by the Soviet Pacific Fleet. We are still there due to current policy regarding Formosa (Taiwan) and as a counter weight to the PRC and North Korea. Honestly the US has plenty of bases in foreign countries as a result of security pacts, I fail to understand why this is such an issue with some Japanese as the cold hard military reality is that it does bolster the JSDF. Its not like the US presence is that pervasive the only billets left in Tokyo is a desk job with JTF. In Ryukyu and Yokohama maybe, but there ain’t that much elsewhere that is just US.

The issue of having a Japanese military in name is complex one to say the least. However any expansion of the JSDF is looked upon with suspicion in the region and in all honesty it would just create an arms race with her neighbors to gain prestige in a dangerous game. Bear in mind Japan still has territorial disputes in the region that still haven’t been resolved with China and South Korea both of which are significant military powers.