Japan, U.S. to cancel drill to retake island

The drills were a stupid undertaking to start with, which did not have a clear goal or result, except even worse relationships with everyone else around and a lot of spent finances.

It is so refreshing to have a leader of a superpower, who has brains and regularly uses them, regardless to what Noda's critics and opponents are saying. It is also nice, for a change, to have a leader, who does things because they are "in favor of" and not things because they are "against of", like some proverbial governors and the other extremists. Respect.

Any guess as to which side (US or Japan) made the decision to cancel the drill? The article was worded to make people believe that it's the Noda's office who made the decision. Is that the actual case? Somehow I have the feeling that it could be the US that actually wanted to cancel it. So far the fiasco involving the island purchase has already achieved the desired effect as far as the US interest is concerned (increased tension between Japan and China). Adding this drill to it won't change the bottom line much--US obviously does not want this to escalate into something that it REALLY has to be involved. Is my reasoning sound?

The governments are set to cancel the drill as it could provoke further anger from China

It took them more than a few seconds to realize this?

It will be interesting to hear from those here who were making a big deal out of this exercise as a show of force from America and confirmation that the US was going to back Japan (beyond their vague promises).

All of the Marines on Okinawa can stand down now. As has been the history of your time on Okinawa, you aren't needed once again.

It is so refreshing to have a leader of a superpower, who has brains and regularly uses them, regardless to what Noda's critics and opponents are saying.

Read the article more carefully. That this decision happened to mirror Noda's opinion, it does not indicate that Noda had anything to do with it. In fact, other news sources indicate that the drills were cancelled because of opposition from Okinawa Prefecture residents.

However, the U.S and Japan are considering cancelling the drill after residents of Ryukyu expressed opposition to the plan, the Ryukyu Times said.

saidaniOct. 21, 2012 - 07:32AM JST Read the article more carefully. That this decision happened to mirror Noda's opinion, it does not indicate that Noda had anything to do with it. In fact, other news sources indicate that the drills were cancelled because of opposition from Okinawa Prefecture residents

And who has made the decision to cancel the drills, "because of opposition from Okinawa Prefecture residents", - the residents, the captains of the ships, or the JT forum members? Think "carefully".

Well, as Shuami stated, it could be the US side, of course. But I highly suspect that in light of the recent rape and the blanket ban, the US military would do Anything now that the Japanese side would like. So, if the Cabinet would want drills, there would be drills.

Japan, US...Lost their bottle!

Sensible decision by US and Japan while China is in hysteria.

saidaniOct. 21, 2012 - 07:32AM JST However, the U.S and Japan are considering cancelling the drill after residents of Ryukyu expressed opposition to the plan, the Ryukyu Times said.

And, by the way, saidani. Not to doubt the intentions of residents of Ryukyu, but I am sure that if Chinese Times (if it exists) would write something of a sort that the drills are cancelled because of Chinese pressure, it would probably be closer to the truth, don't you think? So, lets take the opinion of honorable Ryukyu Times as it is.

Well, as Shuami stated, it could be the US side, of course. But I highly suspect that in light of the recent rape and the blanket ban, the US military would do Anything now that the Japanese (read: Okinawa) side would like.

I think this sounds more reasonable.

So, if the Cabinet would want drills, there would be drills.

I don't think so. The US is the decider of what its military does. This has much more to do with China and/or Okinawa than Tokyo.

saidani, please do not edit posts before quoting them. I did not mean that and I do not like it. Thanks in advance.

Instead of a drill, they'll be ready for the real thing. Antagonize the other side until the other side fires the first shot. Then, they can/will cry, "we've been attacked !" This has been done time and time again. Wait til china makes the first move.

I did not mean that and I do not like it.

I agreed with the first part of your statement but disagreed with what seemed to be your conclusion. I had to separate them to make that clear. I assumed you meant what you wrote. My apologies.

As for your earlier comment about the Chinese Times (?), it is pure speculation. Do you think that the Chinese asked either the US or Japan to cancel the drills even as the Chinese are conducting their own drills in the SCS? Would you not think that agreeing to such a request from the Chinese would expose a weakness in the US that China would then be able to exploit?

i feel that they should still hold the exercises. it, would be a delight to watch....................................................

No need to stop drills just because of China's worries. That is a bunch of chickens. It would be good to have a joint drill to give them a experience in doing amphibian landings. So what if China is upset? What are we afraid of?

That had been about the stupidest plan for a drill imaginable under the circumstances.

It must have been drawn up by the yakuza Justice Minister and the Freemason head of the CIA.

"Japan and the U.S. are dropping plans for a joint drill to simulate the retaking of a remote island from foreign forces"

Total strawman.

Almost like the U.S. and Japan announcing they're going to shelve plans to practice dropping bombs on Beijing.

Obviously the only thing of any substance in this whole fiasco was the annoucement, not any plans for a drill itself.

The governments are set to cancel the drill as it could provoke further anger from China

They are well within their legal rights to conduct such a drill, and in fact they NEED to conduct military join operations to show China that the US will back up Japan. If Chinese anger was important then China shouldn't have conducted unannounced naval exercises within 20 miles of Japanese soil (considering most ship based missiles have longer range)

the all purpose of this announcement was to see the response from China. China by sending the warships to the East China sea is the clear and real face of China. Other Asian countries be prepared, Do not trust Chinese words.... Unite to protect you from Chinese aggressions....

Better to save all this money to help Fukujima lol...

Ryuku internet times mentioned that because of the "rape" case, local people protest to Okinawa SDF chief for the drill, and finally caused this cancellation.

Weakness attracts bullies like sheep attract wolves

Imagine this is just a drill and they all chicken out, whats more if this is for real.

Cancellation not a bad idea, just like China continue to look like an idiot all on its own, no need to wind them up anymore

@ Sylvester Haynes Oct. 21 9.52AM @ Joseph Garrett Baxter Oct. 21 10.17AM

Well both of you watch too many "Rambo" movies.

You should take a lesson in open dialogue and the art of negotiation from the Chinese.

Cancellation of the drill is a good move for all sides point of view.

The independent thinkers in Japan should raise protest against this on and off drill. It is not enough stopping the drill just to cool off the tension. One should think for the longer term. Getting back to normal trade relationship is win-win-win for all parties. It should be clear to independent thinkers that the extreme right wing is not good for the nation nor for her neighbors and her ally.

@qksand

What independent thinkers in Japan. If you have US troop based in Okinawa. you do not have independence and no independent thinkers. You are forever depending on foreign troops to protect your country.

What if it was just never to be anyway. That is to say, It was announced just to use it as scare tactic.

Japan chickened out on this one. Then, Japan is just another weakling similar to those in southeast asia (chinese policy makers). Thus, prepare for more agreesive acts from the chinese side from now on.

@stephen

"Chickened out" is one way of putting it . " Chose not to inflame an already tense situation," is another. I'm guessing you don't have kids in Japan of an age to be called up to fight in the event of war with China. I do, and I'm all in favour of "chickening out", as you put it.

Redcliff--yes I know--you are right in the best way forward. Just like to take whatever side seems more fun and that is the side of conducting drills to cause some stir with China.

@ lucabrasi

Well said.

@ Joseph Garrett Baxter

This not a some sort of fun game. Many future livelihood on both sides are at stake should tension persist between Japan and China. This would also affect other nations as well including USA.

The cancellation of drill was to appease public outraging and coverup the 'embarasment' of a crime done by a 'good ally'!

It was enough to just mention the exercise. That showed China the US position without explicitly stating it.

face palm Why on Earth would they plan something like that?

If Noda and Obama think they can appease China by showing weakness, they are sadly mistaken.

WilliBOCT. 21, 2012 - 05:39PM JST

If Noda and Obama think they can appease China by showing weakness, they are sadly mistaken.

Truth is China navy is still in Kindergarten school. They have only one air craft carrier which has not fully polished and painted yet. Militarily, US and Japan are three or four times superior. However they do not want to offend China. It is not because of Chinese military might. It is because of money wisdom. Marines wallets can not tolerate the emptiness.

Chinese money is sweeter than honey pot. The earth is rotated by money! Not by seven fleets! While Okinawa is making noise and protest, Hokkaido is chasing Chinese money. Reference is http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/hokkaido-welcomes-chinese-investors-tourists-amid-disputes.

Announcing the plan was childish in the first place. They should have just done their amphibious operation unannounced like they did a month or so ago on Guam. Now the U.S. and Japan just look stupid. Good luck in making China think twice about repeating what they did to illegally occupy the Spratleys.

Redcliff--I disagree--i know this is all a damn game of life. So what if people die or live. We shall all die sooner or later as that is the game to play. Enjoy it while we can instead of getting too serious.

Hehehehehe.... USA could not anger China since they owe China 1.15 Trillion dollars. I don't think it's Japan who cancelled the drill. Hehehehe USA could be acting carefully between Japan and China because their debt is up to their neck between this two nation.

In other news, the White House spokesperson said that China was most welcome to take the Senkakus if they want them, along with any of the other thousands of wonderful islands in the Japanese archipelago that the great and wise leaders of China wanted...

It is all politics. We are just nothing in all of this and all we do is try to figure out what is going on with our small brains. We do not know anything at all! China thinks this, USA thinks this, Japan thinks this, etc. Give up--nobody is getting angry--only the people thinking about this stuff is creating it. None of this exists except on a computer screen.

Smart decision for the Japanese government; there's no need to stir the Chinese fire of Anti-Japanese sentiment any longer. In Japan no one cares about those damn ruddy islands and the only priority is to do business and make money. Business is Business. And War Games is not good for Business. US however has sent an Aircraft carrier to the China Sea to tell China to stop screwing around. Seems like the fire for anti-US sentimism will rise soon...