Welcome to the 21st Century

This was such a stupid idea to begin with, aren't you glad it's cancelled? As if wars in the 21st century were really carried out by hordes of uniformed men splashing through the waves to capture a big, lonely rock. By cancelling, the US will have more money to throw at other military adventures, and Japan might possibly consider spending a little more on cleaning up after last year's earthquake.

Just sayin...


Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012


Japan, U.S. abandon drill to 'retake' isle

Jiji


Japan and the U.S. have decided to cancel a joint drill in which their forces would "recapture" a remote island in Okinawa Prefecture, according to informed sources.

Tokyo and Washington were considering holding the drill on uninhabited Irisuna Island as part of joint military exercises slated for November.

The drill, however, would worsen the backlash from Beijing, which has reacted harshly to Japan's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands, which are also claimed by China and Taiwan.

A government source said the decision to skip the Irisuna recapturing drill "reflects the opinion of the prime minister's office."

Another reason was opposition from residents on Okinawa Island, about 60 km away, where sentiment against U.S. bases has flared up following allegations that a Japanese woman was raped by U.S. sailors Tuesday.

In light of these factors, the Defense Ministry found it difficult to proceed with the exercise, although it is considering substitute drills, the sources said.