picture of the day

Forward march

34 Comments

Members of Japan's Self-Defense Forces march during Self-Defense Forces Day at Asaka Base, north of Tokyo, on Sunday. More than 50 aircraft along with 3,900 soldiers took part in the annual military parade held at the training camp.

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34 Comments
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Nice legs.

Japan looks ready to take on North Korea anytime!

0 ( +4 / -4 )

I thought it was NK when I first saw it. I guess the clenched fist is a show of defiance?

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

purses of justice?

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Nice legs, but if they thing that uniform and those shoes would do anything besides possibly wowing the enemy in combat, they've got problems.

-13 ( +4 / -17 )

What's in those handbags?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Nice legs, but if they thing that uniform and those shoes would do anything besides possibly wowing the enemy in combat, they've got problems.

Service uniform. Not meant for the field.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

what is with all this military new all the time? are they let us know some changes are on the way?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I like it.

But the Chinese girls in the red getup with the white boots still take the cookies for me.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Are they the same height like in North Korea?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Women have access to 80% of the jobs in the JSDF and make up about 5.4% of the forces. They are barred from direct combat roles. For the first time this year, female officers have been appointed to command two naval destroyers. I'm in favor of removing any "glass ceiling" for advancement of women in the JSDF, though I'm not keen on seeing them put into direct combat roles (commanding a destroyer is not direct combat). The women who serve their country deserve respect. Lets hope the Self Defense Force remains just that, and Article Nine is not further eroded.

Peace.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Oh please, no march. I feel like been living in North Korea and it will only turn the neighbours more impatient.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Pretty sad in my books if the female members have to parade around in skirts, heels and with purse in tow. How sexist can Japan's military get?!? This doesn't show forward thinking in the modern Japanese self defense forces but last century's old boys club. Why show this? It's truly embarrassing and demeaning to women and to the forces themselves.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

What the hell is with the purses!! Damn!

Some one remind what year this is because I think I just slipped 50-60yrs backwards or more

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Cool! These women will not only protect Japan but also make us men folk feel a stronger commitment to protect the motherland!

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

The clenched fist means" Right on Bro' " , and I sincerely hope they are all Concealed Carrying their Side Arms in the bags, either that or it must be where they keep their Camouflage make up.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

HighLamaOct. 27, 2013 - 04:11PM JST

What's in those handbags?

Stiff Shoulder Pain Relief Patches - Hisamitsu (?!)

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Lidolani

Although they are barred from direct combat but that does not mean they are exempted from boot camp. They do as much hard training as the fresh male recruits.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Why carry purses/handbags?...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Smith that comment is like saying the soldiers who guard Buckingham Palace and other landmarks around London could only "Wow" enemies because they're in their ceremonial uniform.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

SamuaiBlue Agreed.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It feels like the run-up to WW3 these days.........

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Wonder if otaku have caught on to this?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I salute you! The USA backs Japan 100%!

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Folks, it is a DRESS UNIFORM, not a combat uniform.

Even in the US armed forces, such uniform combinations exist in the AIr Force, Navy, Marine Corps etc. which include skirts and dress shoes.

One version of the US Marine female dress uniform: i10.photobucket.com/albums/a115/HollywoodMarine/Moto/DM-SC-91-09735.jpg

Look at the USArmy Women's dress uniform: upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/US-NEW-CLASS-A-UNIFORM.png

0 ( +2 / -2 )

LOL people who don't know the difference between dress unfirms and combat uniforms making comments.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

We are being primed for war with the media blitz summed up with this picture. And all those priming us can shove it.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The handbags are probably, as you can see the way they hold those shoulder belts, are simulation or in-replacement of the slings/belts of future sniper rifles for Japan SDF (combat women in blocking forces). Japan knows that in the Battle of Leningrad, more than 5,000 women snipers brought havoc to German NAZI occupiers.

For the time being, what is inside those bags are probably 10/100yen coin or prepaid telephone cards to call their regular troops counter parts in time of emergency or regular for contacts.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

thought it was a chinese military pic til i read the caption

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Sexy soldiers.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The Chinese published some pictures of this parade: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/photo/2013-10/27/c_132834817.htm

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@KnowBetter This is sexist to you? Puhleeze, look outside your window one day and see how women CHOOSE to dress themselves. When they WANT to look like they have their shit together they specifically wear heels/ business skirt/ jacket. If women don't WANT to be portrayed that way then go ahead and stop dressing like that. These uniform is extremely neutral in terms of the way women normally dress.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Pochan

are they let us know some changes are on the way?

Yes. Let's hope they can finally dump Article 9.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Sexist?? What's sexist about this uniform? It is a dress uniform..it is supposed to be smart and that's exactly what it is! As jumpulitmatestars says, if you want sexist look at other women and how office workers for example dress themselves day in and day out.

Kudos to these ladies, I don't have 1/4 of their courage!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sexist?? What's sexist about this uniform?

Feminists don't like it when women are not dressed like men.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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