I don't understand why the planes have to fly over Wakayama. Neither the U.S. military nor the Defense Ministry have given any explanations.

I believe I read that the JSDF were conducting live round drills near the planned route. Geez, that seems to be an explanation, no?

I'm not sure admitting that you're being kept in the dark is a good campaign strategy...

Good, now somewhere else can feel Okinawa's pain.

It's high time the US military left.

Bertie, hope you and the rest of the population are ready to defend Japan at a moment's notice. Somehow, though, I don't see that being the case.

Do fire fighters practice and train? - similar scenario.

Mocheake Mar. 08, 2013 - 09:45AM JST Bertie, hope you and the rest of the population are ready to defend Japan at a moment's notice. Somehow, though, I don't see that being the case.

Oh stop fear-mongering Mocheake, any military action from China would probably be in the form of a missile attack, not an infantry invasion (I mean seriously, they'd be blown out of the water/sky half way across).

... and in case of a missile attack what are those Ospreys supposed to do? Nothing, that's what, just like the Marines down in Okinawa. Face it, infantry are obselete, and these Ospreys (basically glorified troop carriers) are a complete waste of money.

Frungy

Missile attacK? Not liklely as nothing is gained by it. Easiest first step for China would be to invade and hold a number of Japan's numerous off-shore islands in the south like Iriomote, Ishigaki, and Miyako. This would serve a triple purpose strategically for China, surround/box-in Taiwan, seizure of Japanese territory, and increased control over the East China and access to the open Pacific Oean. As much as you dismiss the infantry, there's no way to retake these islands without an amphibious assault force (which the JSDF lack completely) and without the Osprey which is the critical air element of the ship-to-shore movement of an amphibious assault force.

Frungy - so all militaries globally can get rid of infantry troops and all supporting units, air wings and transport ships? Awesome that you have a crystal ball. Do you write for Stratfor?

Gosh, there are some people on this site who have swallowed the propaganda hook, line and sinker.

China attack Japan?

Don't be silly.

If China conducted a major act of aggression, it would lose more customers than it could afford to. It is a trading nation, after all.

The US "defence" of Japan is overkill.

What would China, North Korea or any other country gain from attacking Japan?

Access to the huge oil reserves?

Gold? Diamonds? Uranium?

The US military is here because it is financially supported by Japan and because it wants to protect its own interests from some imaginary attack. It has screwed up the Middle East and it seems to be bent on screwing up Asia.

Of course, those who benefit from it are trying to make it appear that North Korea and China are a threat, but this is smokescreen, propaganda.

And, living in Okinawa, I can vouch for this.

Ospreys are NOISY - I mean, really!

So, I'm glad in a sense that they are going to other parts of Japan for training exercises, then, at last, people may realise what Okinawa is suffering.

And for nothing!

Meguroman-san,

Do fire fighters practice and train? - similar scenario.

By what twisted logic do you equate fire fighters with the US military?

True, both wear uniforms and both need training and practice, but the number of differences is staggering.

Fire fighters do not disturb people when they practice and train. The US military, on the other hand, is so noisy that in Ginowan in Okinawa, a class has to stop to wait for an aircraft to land because the children and the teacher can't hear each other. And this is in spite of noise protection!

And Japanese firefighters do not train in the U.S.A.

I cannot see why the US military has to train in a highly populated area like Okinawa.

BertieWooster

...a class has to stop to wait for an aircraft to land because the children and the teacher can't hear each other. And this is in spite of noise protection!

That's a shame. Perhaps the school shouldn't have been built under an approach path to the airfield? Works well though, build next to an airport and then complain about the noise and danger for political capital...

Practice run for the Marines to bring-up the Ospreys from OKI in case they are need for actions in Korea.

The only reason Ospreys are flying above is becuase you complained about helicopter noise. I can't do the same thing to my neighbor, but US can do it to you. I'm thankful.

The US should build man-made islands off the coast somewhere, place their bases there and then they can do whatever they like without causing annoyance to the Japanese. Solves loads of problems ^_^

USNinJapan2

Perhaps the school shouldn't have been built under an approach path to the airfield?

The aircraft started from Okinawa flew over Wakayama and then returned to Okinawa. Maybe Wakayama is too close to the airfield in Okinawa.

BertieWooster

It's high time the US military left.

What is better is China reduce its offensive power.

CH3CHO,

What is better is China reduce its offensive power.

But it's OK for the U.S.A to have abundant offensive power?

Thunderbird2,

The US should build man-made islands off the coast somewhere, place their bases there and then they can do whatever they like without causing annoyance to the Japanese. Solves loads of problems

It would solve LOTS of problems.

But why go to the expense of building islands off the coast somewhere?

US military should be on US soil.

I don't understand why the planes have to fly over Wakayama. Neither the U.S. military nor the Defense Ministry have given any explanations.

Well let me try to refresh your memory - as Governor of Wakayama, you have been briefed on all bilaterally agreed to training areas and airspace for US and JSDF forces in your Prefecture - these have been designated for many years and are most likely highlighted on a map in your office. Members of the Ministry of Defense Bureau of Local Cooperation (prior Defense facilities Administration Bureau) have no doubt visited and briefed you, and your staff, many weeks ago on this MV-22 low altitude training. Given the high visibility of the training, no doubt Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials have visited also.

So bottomline - your claim of "failing to understand" why this training is being conducted is really somewhat absurd, and just merely more political "theater" and grandstanding" by a weak-willed politician to trying exploit a controversial issue for his own personal gain - or shall we say, politics as usual.......

Gosh, there are some people on this site who have swallowed the propaganda hook, line and sinker.

I agree, especially that disseminated by the China Ministry of State Security…..

China attack Japan? Don't be silly.

You have just insulted a majority of the Japanese public by calling them “silly” as a recent Yomuri poll showed over 80% view China as a direct military threat; the first time China has placed ahead of nKorea.

If China conducted a major act of aggression, it would lose more customers than it could afford to. It is a trading nation, after all.

The far-right nationalists in China do not recognize that argument….

The US "defence" of Japan is overkill.

Your opinion, not shared by a majority of the Japanese public that fully support the US-Japan Security Treaty

What would China, North Korea or any other country gain from attacking Japan? Access to the huge oil reserves? Gold? Diamonds? Uranium?

Materiel “gain” is not the only variable – you underestimate the emotional factors that often overrides logic when it comes to the use of military force. Need proof? Review some of the Chinese blogs regarding whether China should begin a war with Japan to “recover its dignity”…..

The US military is here because it is financially supported by Japan and because it wants to protect its own interests from some imaginary attack. It has screwed up the Middle East and it seems to be bent on screwing up Asia.

The US military does not conduct foreign policy – it follows the direction of the civilian leadership of the country. It is here because both governments desire it to be here as outlined in formally approved bilateral accords, which, as mentioned above are supported by a majority of the public in both nations. I do agree with you on one point - the invasion of Iraq was a major blunder, but again, that decision was made by the country's civilian leadership, not the military.

Of course, those who benefit from it are trying to make it appear that North Korea and China are a threat, but this is smokescreen, propaganda.

You seem to know a lot about propaganda…….

And, living in Okinawa, I can vouch for this.

I question whether you actually live in Okinawa………

Ospreys are NOISY - I mean, really!

So is an MRI machine – perhaps we should do away with them since they’re so noisy also…..

So, I'm glad in a sense that they are going to other parts of Japan for training exercises, then, at last, people may realise what Okinawa is suffering. And for nothing!

Your opinion, and again, one in a definite minority (unless you’re blogging from Beijing….)

BertiWooster

US military should be on US soil.

I'm surprised that you're proposing that the Japan should return Okinawa to the US...