solarz
Brigadier
To all those who put forth the argument that the JMSDF is better equipped and better trained, and thus Japan has the advantage in a naval conflict with China, let's take a look at 2 earthquakes.
In 2008, the Sichuan Earthquake caused 70,000 deaths. The Chinese government reacted swiftly, and the entire nation mobilized to send aid and rescue to the afflicted region. Water built up behind landslides and formed quake lakes that threatened to overflood and dwarf the casualty count of the earthquake. Officials evacuated hundreds of thousands of people while PLA Engineers worked around the clock to drain the lakes. In the end, no flooding of any significance occurred, and what could have been an even greater disaster than the earthquake itself was averted. 3 years later, Wenchuan, the epicenter of the quake, was completely rebuilt.
In 2011, a magnitude 9 earthquake struck off the east coast of Japan, triggering a massive tsunami that killed more than 15,000 people. Government response to the disaster was slow and roundly criticized across the globe. Even worse, they attempted to cover up the seriousness of the tsunami-induced Fukushima nuclear meltdown, resulting in millions of Japanese being exposed to unsafe levels of radiation. Over a year later, Japan is still grappling with the aftermath of the meltdowns.
Technology is important, but war is about more than just technology. Logistics, preparation, and government crisis response are just as critical factors as technological advancement.
As for training, let's just say that some forumites consistently underestimate the competence of the PLA, and overestimate the competence of their NATO allies.
In 2008, the Sichuan Earthquake caused 70,000 deaths. The Chinese government reacted swiftly, and the entire nation mobilized to send aid and rescue to the afflicted region. Water built up behind landslides and formed quake lakes that threatened to overflood and dwarf the casualty count of the earthquake. Officials evacuated hundreds of thousands of people while PLA Engineers worked around the clock to drain the lakes. In the end, no flooding of any significance occurred, and what could have been an even greater disaster than the earthquake itself was averted. 3 years later, Wenchuan, the epicenter of the quake, was completely rebuilt.
In 2011, a magnitude 9 earthquake struck off the east coast of Japan, triggering a massive tsunami that killed more than 15,000 people. Government response to the disaster was slow and roundly criticized across the globe. Even worse, they attempted to cover up the seriousness of the tsunami-induced Fukushima nuclear meltdown, resulting in millions of Japanese being exposed to unsafe levels of radiation. Over a year later, Japan is still grappling with the aftermath of the meltdowns.
Technology is important, but war is about more than just technology. Logistics, preparation, and government crisis response are just as critical factors as technological advancement.
As for training, let's just say that some forumites consistently underestimate the competence of the PLA, and overestimate the competence of their NATO allies.
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