I Trained with the Japanese Army

The Real Reason Japan is Preparing for War

Join me as I travel to Japan and train as a soldier with the Japanese Special Defense Forces, exploring Japan’s long and complicated relationship with its military - and learn why it is ramping up its military capabilities right now.

-- VIDEO CHAPTERS --
00:00 Intro
01:07 Johnny Trains with the SDF
04:41 Japan’s Military History
05:30 Increasing Threats
08:07 Preparing to Fight Back
14:29 Gun Training and Bomb Diffusion
18:18 Final Test Fight
21:36 The Bones of the Past
25:32 The Effects on the Land & People
29:52 Conclusion
31:22 Credits

About:
Johnny Harris is an Emmy-winning independent journalist and contributor to the New York Times. Based in Washington, DC, Harris reports on interesting trends and stories domestically and around the globe, publishing to his audience of over 3.5 million on Youtube. Harris produced and hosted the twice Emmy-nominated series Borders for Vox Media. His visual style blends motion graphics with cinematic videography to create content that explains complex issues in relatable ways.

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[theblog]

25:21 - "If war breaks out, the first ones to die will not be the politicians who decided to go to war."

[AbroadinJapan]

Such an incredible episode man on an increasingly concerning topic. At times living in Japan makes you feel a million miles away from many of the issues in the world today, almost like a bubble. Then you remember, the country is right on the doorstep of several potential massive, unthinkable conflicts and this kind of preparation is essential, if merely only as deterrence. Let's hope a sequel: "I Fought with the Japanese Army" is an episode that need not ever materialise. Keep up the great work mate, this was a brilliant piece of journalism.

[chekaito]

なにこのクオリティ！？
そりゃ日本は皆んなTV見なくなるわ。
とても興味深い内容でした、素晴らしいクリエイティブ力です👍

[jan]

Johnny doing side missions wasnt anything i expected

[cjrjbgn]

「良いとかじゃなくて必要」、この言葉につきますよね。
すばらしい動画を提供してくださりありがとうございます。
from Okinawa

[cocabo]

基地があったら狙われる。基地が無ければ一層狙われる。
国民を守って下さる自衛隊の皆様にいつも感謝しています。

[jrmorales]

harris is never going to beat the CIA allegations

[vtange_dev]

Woah, kudos for providing both English and Japanese audio

It took me a whole minute to realize Johnny Harris didn't suddenly speak fully fluent Japanese

[tanuchan]

Johnny, thank you for selecting this sensitive topic. As a Japanese raised in US soil and now living in Tokyo, I understand the delicate balance surrounding this issue. I very much enjoy watching your existing videos unrelated to Japan in the first place and thank you aways for your independent, insightful and inspiring videos.

[njzgosj]

I am a resident of Okinawa. Most Okinawans are not aware of the fact that Okinawa is an important area that is targeted even without the bases. I think this is what complicates the base issue.

[julstheo]

"it's very foolish to start a new war when there are still remains from the previous war." Damn that hits hard

[qtsiici]

沖縄出身者です。
日本の自衛隊が
どんなことを
しているのか、
広めてくれて
ありがとうございます

[bigj]

The fact they had you practicing on disarming us bombs is some pretty dark humor….

[xcbimns]

あなたのビデオに敬意を表します。
退役自衛官より
I respect your good video.
From veteran a JSDF soldier.

[avikshitmahajan]

If someone told me 10 years back that this video is on youtube and for free i would have a great laugh.

[alexandral]

The later portion of this video on the islanders’ perspective was so heavy, but necessary. Thank you Johnny for showing the perspectives of the people and not just making a lighthearted video about training with the military. As a southeast asian whose own grandparents barely survived Japanese occupation during WWII, these histories are not something we should readily forget.

[ratsock]

29:35 “i wouldn’t say it’s good, i would say it’s necessary”… man that right there sums up so much. Hits hard.

[tallesteva]

The news report quote said "Japan is arming itself like its never had before". Really? Someone hasnt read a history book.