picture of the day

Island defense

11 Comments

Soldiers of Japan's Self-Defense Force stand at attention with a flag of the Yonaguni observation unit during the opening ceremony of a military base on the island of Yonaguni in Okinawa Prefecture.

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11 Comments
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I have nothing but respect for the SDF... but please take those gloves off. It's a tropical island and the gear they're wearing in that photo will be sucking the sweat out of them.

I hope their posting to the island is quiet and the Chinese decide not to pull an Argentine trick and invade claiming it as their own.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Unless the JSDF has a different definition of the "Attention" stance, that is Standing at Ease.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Yonaguni, a far-flung and almost tropical island (just a bit west of Inomote Island (famous for a species of cat) and about 100k's from Taiwan. Let7s just say that if anyone there wants to go to the nearest Mitsukoshi store, just steal an SDF zodiac, make it to the beach in Taiwan, bus to Taipei about 50 k's from there. Much easier than getting to the next closest one in Fukuoka.

These guys took their time getting there - the radar station construction was started almost 2 years ago to the day (https://cofda.wordpress.com/2014/05/03/japan-expands-its-military-footprint-for-first-time-in-40-years-to-counter-china/). Not their fault though.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

CrucialS: "lol No they don't, they look like the brave few willing to lay their lives on the line to protect their Country and fellow Countrymen's way of life."

Brave? Maybe. but for their country and their country's way of life. Not at all. They are willing to lose their lives for a pile of rocks that mean nothing save to some politicians far away, and once again the sakura is being used as a symbol of war.

"The sakura will soon fall. So may you."

Didn't work all that well in WWII.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Good job guys

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The positioning of taking this picture is a bit off, the shot totally cover the the flag-bearer's face... the camera should position from the right side .

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Soldiers seems confused about they should obey the present constitution or the Abe's war rule.

lol No they don't, they look like the brave few willing to lay their lives on the line to protect their Country and fellow Countrymen's way of life. I have a lot of respect for these men and women for doing what many will not.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

It's the regiment banner.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

is it a self-defense's flag?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Soldiers seems confused about they should obey the present constitution or the Abe's war rule.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Nice to see.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

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