[mikester]

The end of WW2 left Japan with limited abilities in the world to start a new military; they had no choice but the economic route.

It's sad that we continue to underestimate our rivals in the world. The chinese are not our enemies at this time but a cold war could very easily start again.

We're competing for the same resources and export dollars; War is not a rational response it is a last resort so thinking about the possibility of WAR in a rational way is simply not.

If you think a conventional war is not in the cards you are sadly mistaken. In the end the only way to take control is to occupy. The only way to fight is to repel an occupation.