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AW1Steve -> RE: OT Things to ponder (6/6/2016 4:06:06 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: geofflambert
Serious issue:
http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/06/politics/us-navy-alcohol-ban-japan/
We've had a long series of incidents in Japan, particularly Okinawa, that are quite dangerous to our alliance and measures must be taken. Besides an indefinite ban on alcohol use on base or off, off-base leave is "curtailed". This applies to the Navy, and I presume any or most Marines who may be stationed there. Let's get something out of the way and then say no more about it. The people of Japan in general to varying degrees, are culturally sensitive about race. There's nothing we can or should do about it and our military (only) must accept that and act accordingly. Again, let's say no more about that. Obviously I'm speaking as a US citizen. Another matter is that there have been incidents involving military contractors. I wonder if perhaps to the extent possible, if we could use Japanese (or Korean) contractors wherever possible?
Now, if I may add a little levity, one incident describes one of ours driving on the wrong side of the road. He or she was driving drunk of course. Nonetheless, I'd just like to point out that the Japanese (and the British as well) drive on the wrong side of the road. That means you, too, warspite1.
1St of all, you probably didn't intend to , but you are dangerously close to being political. The Navy Command in Japan is , as most places the Navy is , run by senior career officers (AKA "politicians in uniform"). In relations with the Japanese government , "political considerations" ALWAYS trumps military considerations, and will do so till the 1st Japanese city gets nuked (again). Most contractors in Japan who work on "American" bases ARE Japanese. That's in part because the Japanese pay for , and run the base. The next thing you need to understand is Japan has a sharply divided opinion on the subjects of war and militaries. You have a strong pacifist side , against a "not-so-pacifist" side. And maybe a very tiny group that might be slightly militaristic. The pacifists object to the Japanese Self Defense Force" completely. Notice I didn't say Army , or Navy. As a result what would be called a helicopter carrier in any other country is called a "Destroyer". Aircraft don't have inflight refueling capabilities because that would be considered "aggressive". As a result , this part of Japan wants NO military , let alone the US military in Japan. Okinawa is upset with the US military being based on their island , because they get absolutely no say in the negotiations (it's all done by Tokyo, to keep the USMC off the mainland as much as possible).
So as a result of all these internal Japanese political disputes, Uncle Sam's forces in Japan get caught in the middle. In any other country in the world , if a sailor got drunk and hit someone , the USN would pay massive amounts of money and offer the sailor up to that country to punish them as they wish (usually most countries will let us punish them as we'll punish them much harder).
So the result is forces in Japan (and Okinawa) are generally on their best behavior. And kept on a very short leash. Sailors for several years have had very sharp restrictions on curfew, alcohol restrictions , wearing uniforms, and other behavior. What's even more interesting is so have their dependents. No where else has that ever happened. I personally love visiting Japan, but wouldn't want to be stationed there under the current restrictions.
And the Japanese tend to be somewhat xenophobic. There are many restaurants and shops that have signs that say "no foreigners". The Chilean ambassador's wife a few years ago sued a jewelry store that excluded her. The case went all the way up to their Supreme court where in a shocking decision she actually won! (Gajin? Impossible).
So the point I'm making is that there is a lot more involved than the press is saying (imagine that? The press getting it wrong?).
In other words, let's take this with a grain of salt, assume that the press doesn't know what it's parroting , and trust the Navy politicians not to endanger their careers (I mean behave inappropriately) and will smooth things over (again). Because I'd have to say that as long as you have US Sailors and Marines in Japan you will have flare ups like this. Apologies will be made , gestures will be played out , and life will go on. [:(]
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