U.S. and Japan Quietly Prepare for North Korean Collapse

The Asahi Shimbun said the government has estimated that 100,000 to 150,000 people would arrive from North Korea and has been discussing with the United States how to deal with such a situation.

Japan could only provide temporary shelter for several tens of thousands of displaced persons and would need to consider transferring them to third countries in such a case, the Asahi quoted government sources as saying.

The refugees are expected to head to southern Japan from ports on North Korea’s east coast. The government estimate was based on the number of ships and boats North Korea is believed to have. [link]

South Korea is highly reluctant to engage in that sort of joint planning for fear of offending Kim Jong Il. Japan is talking with the United States about how to feed and shelter people. That’s why a U.S.-Japan alliance has a future, and a U.S.-Korean one doesn’t.