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Japan to send SDF team to Philippine typhoon zone

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Get there as fast as possible, people! Good luck!

10 ( +14 / -4 )

This leaves just two nations that does not allow deployment of JSDF personnel for humanitarian purposes. It's amazing how hate filled propaganda education goes this far.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

Why the military, are they the best qualified people Japan has in disaster assistance? I fear this is part of Abe's propaganda push, if it wasn't they would be on the ground already like the trained S&R and medical staff. The typhoon struck on the weekend. And it's going to be late Wednesday before they get there at the earliest. I can applaud the first responders but this is political posturing.

-22 ( +3 / -24 )

Why the military, are they the best qualified people Japan has in disaster assistance

Because that's what they are trained for.

12 ( +16 / -5 )

Please note that the Japanese government needs permission from the Philippine government before it can dispatch the SDF. That permission was received on Tuesday.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Because that's what they are trained for.

trained for what exactly?

needs permission from the Philippine government before it can dispatch the SDF.

exactly, a more timely response would involved civilian personal like those who went to NZ after the earthquakes there, 40 military members is not the best or logical response.

-21 ( +4 / -24 )

spudmanreincarnatedNov. 13, 2013 - 08:36AM JST "Because that's what they are trained for.

trained for what exactly?

Disaster assistance and relief, search and rescue, etc.

"needs permission from the Philippine government before it can dispatch the SDF."

exactly, a more timely response would involved civilian personal like those who went to NZ after the earthquakes >there, 40 military members is not the best or logical response.

"Japan had already dispatched an emergency medical team to the disaster area." http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/japan-to-donate-10-mil-to-philippines-106-japanese-unaccounted-for

8 ( +10 / -3 )

8 ( +13 / -5 )

trained for what exactly?

Trained for military forces do when they are not fighting (and actually when they are fighting too). No matter where they are from, they need things like food, water, shelter, medical aid, communications, logistics, transport and organization. And if they can provide it for themselves, they can also provide it for others.

There's plenty of information as to how the JSDF are equipped to help in natural disasters. Here's one link. http://en.rocketnews24.com/2013/09/12/the-amazing-disaster-relief-equipment-of-japans-self-defense-force/

9 ( +11 / -3 )

trained for what exactly?

What, seriously?

tohoku earthquake? tsunami? fukushima evacuation? ringing any bells?

Pretty sure this site has a few hundred articles related to the JSDF response....

16 ( +17 / -2 )

Thank you Japan!

15 ( +15 / -0 )

@nigelboy

That is a great link. Downloading to phone and tablet.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

ReformedBasherNov. 13, 2013 - 09:57AM JST @nigelboy That is a great link. Downloading to phone and tablet.

I second that. Great link.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Thank you Japan!!!

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Good stuff. Some helicopters would also be life saving for a lot of trapped people in remote areas.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Great Stuff.

All Armies are trained to aid in disasters and similar, fighting is only one reason for existence. Would love to see Ospreys operating there as they are well fitted with their speed and hovering capabilities.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

JSDF will send 16DDH Hyuga (Helicopter Carrier). Awesome Nippon ship that can deliver supplies in remote areas.

The current administration in Manila have closer ties with the Japanese Government.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Pardon me people but the medics and sdf are not empty handed. They are mostly forresource management and preoaration for supplies and medicines.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

No one has ever become poor by giving. Thank you Japan ! :)

11 ( +11 / -0 )

I really hope the Republica Pilipinas get lots and lots of help! I am watching the news videos, pictures THEY ARE HEART BREAKING!! We need to help our amigos in the Philippines ASAP!! NMRK to pray for those suffering salt of the earth people!

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Rachel Ann,

What a great sentiment: No one has ever become poor by giving.

Send shipfuls of love to our Pinoy sisters and brothers.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

No one has ever become poor by giving. Thank you Japan ! :)

It is untrue! It is depending on where you have lived before. You can not ask homeless people from Fukushima to donate some money for Typoon victims of Phillipines. They are broke and hungry too. Not like the better off people of Tokyo and Osaka. I am proud of US contribution to oversea disaster. However I am not so happy about some Americans swept away and died on the road by Hurricane Katrina. It is not about bad political points scoring. Just reflecting the helpless nature of the people who are in the same boat. Asking donation from homeless people of Louisiana are just a big joke. They did not cry and beg from President Bush or oversea.

Reality is natural disaster strike everywhere. If there are drill and preparation for the worst, casualty will be lower. Both Japan and Phillipines are prone to natural disasters. The difference is Japan trained Kindergarten kids how to survive during quake. Does Fillipino authority trained their kids for the worst? Japan has a lot of drills for evacuation and After the disaster, no one Japanese loot and rob the victims. According the news from Manila, some mobs from disaster zone looted and stole from victims. It is not good news to read.

Another thing is not all donated money will go to victims as you expected. Instead of donating to local authority, NGOs from oversea are more reputable and accountable. My donation will go to Oversea charity and flying doctors. Not the Filipino government who I do not trust.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Thank you so much for the never ending support especially during this time when Filipinos need material support.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

So far no Chinese/Korean whining about this being the first step in Japan's evil master plan to conquer the world?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Amazing how a positive story can quickly become a political one.

When a disaster strikes the military are the best people to call in. They have the personnel, equipment and supplies necessary to get the people to safety and give them food and water. That the SDF are going is no different from the US forces, Royal Navy or personnel from other countries.

Go SDF... you were heroes after the Japan tsunami.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Domou arigatou, Nihon!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Domo arigatou Nipon!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

It's a wonderful response, but

“We hope to make every effort to get the aid to the people who need it as soon as possible,” he told a news conference, adding that the number of troops will be increased if the situation on the ground warrants it."

as far as emergency rescue being warranted, now is the time, isn't it?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I have to agree with spudmanreincarnated's sentiments if not all his words. I said it before, but the world needs a permanent disaster relief force. Relying on soldiers becomes a propaganda ploy. Its not avoidable.

But at least the SDF has been out of any and all international conflicts and I am happy to know my tax yen is being used to send them to help in the Philippines.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

It is untrue! It is depending on where you have lived before. You can not ask homeless people from Fukushima to donate some money for Typoon victims of Phillipines.

Zenpun, you are waaaaaay off the pace IMvHO - the people affected by disasters know first hand how it feels and actually go out of their way to offer whatever they can. You would be surprised what humanity can achieve, there is a hell of a lot of good out there.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Why the military, are they the best qualified people Japan has in disaster assistance? I fear this is part of Abe's propaganda push, if it wasn't they would be on the ground already like the trained S&R and medical staff. The typhoon struck on the weekend. And it's going to be late Wednesday before they get there at the earliest. I can applaud the first responders but this is political posturing.

To answer your first point. Medical personnel in the military are trained to the same standards as medical personnel in hospitals. However unlike your hospital doctor, medics in the SDF are trained in humanitarian aid, search & rescue.

On your second point about why there was a delay in getting the SDF to the Philippines. The government in the Philippines need to first assess the situation and then work out what support is needed and which help from other countries is needed. Japan did the same thing after 3/11 when they requested for specialist help from the US,UK, Australia, SK, NZ.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

trained for what exactly?

And you ? It is their main job. They are called "defense force" and they mostly defend against natural disasters. Go and visit them someday, they make regular open door events. They have trained doctors and paramedics that work in probably the world most high tech mobile hospitals, They have all type of disaster rescue equipment to pick stranded people in flooded places or under rumbles.

And it's going to be late Wednesday before they get there

They can't go before anyway. Read the news, not only here. A number of rescue teams from everywhere are waiting their tour to go into the disaster area. Because airports and roads are gone, and the other places where they can land and board are very limited.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Many Japanese were saved by the goodwill from the Philippines at the time of 3/11. Japan is the which helps the Philippines this Typhoon disaster. Japan and the Philippines are the friends of Asia.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Hope people get water and food every day. Japan is donating only $10 million but it will help Phillipino victims. Aftermath of typhoon, terrible. Debris will be on the beach and decreasing of fishing. Japan is doing right to send JSDF. Real disaster experience they are getting, too .

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Would love to see Ospreys operating there as they are well fitted with their speed and hovering capabilities

They're part of the US's response - on their way or there already.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Zenpun,. Let me remind you first that when you give, whether it's charity or just a simple gift it has to come from the heart. You give because you want to, not because you're worried as to where it's going, or how it's going to be used. Once you give, it's theirs completely and they have the right to do with what theyw ant to do with it.. And yes St Pedro Poveda have said the same., you don't have to be rich to be able to give. And if you have the right intentions, then what you give will come back a thousand folds! It's the thought that counts, it's your peace of mind that will make you even sleep well at night and out a smile in your face!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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