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General Discussion >> Thinking Globally >> Okinawa Governor: Australian troops not welcome
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Message started by Laugh till you cry on Apr 29th, 2022 at 8:36pm

Title: Okinawa Governor: Australian troops not welcome
Post by Laugh till you cry on Apr 29th, 2022 at 8:36pm
It appears that Australia is considered a provocateur by the Japanese Government of Okinawa.

The Japanese don't want Australians to make Japan a target of military activity or conflict.

https://www.afr.com/world/asia/australian-troops-not-welcome-in-japan-says-okinawa-governor-20220427-p5ago0


Quote:
Australian troops not welcome in Japan, says Okinawa governor

Michael Smith
North Asia correspondent
Apr 29, 2022 – 9.33am

Ishigaki, Japan | The governor of the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa says Australian Defence Force personnel are not welcome on the 150 islands he administers, as fears grow that rising tensions between China and US allies will lead to conflict in the region.

Denny Tamaki, the top official in the region who is up for re-election this year, said in an interview that he was worried the existing concentration of US forces had already made the islands a target for hostile forces.

He said the Okinawan people did not support Australian or other foreign defence personnel holding joint military exercises in Okinawa. Australia and Japan signed a defence deal in January that will open the way for their forces to step up training and host each other’s military.

Okinawa pineapple farmers Shingen, right, and Leo Kawahira share the same views on Australian troops as the prefecture’s governor.   Christopher Jue

“As the governor here, I would say that many people in Okinawa would oppose having Australian Defence Forces being stationed here, even temporarily, or to use a base in Okinawa where 70 per cent of the US forces in Japan have already been concentrated,” Mr Tamaki said in an interview with AFR Weekend.

“What worries them is that the concentration of the US forces might make Okinawa a target of a hostile nation’s attack. It is clear that more foreign troops on top of the US forces concentrate in Okinawa will increase the possibility of Okinawa becoming a target.

“When you see the situation Ukraine is in, I am determined not to have Okinawa experience the situation like that.“

Mr Tamaki is at loggerheads with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government over the heavy concentration of US military bases in Okinawa and plans to relocate a US Marine base on the main island. There are some 30,000 US troops based on Okinawa, 1500 kilometres southeast of Tokyo.


American MV-22 Osprey aircraft are at the ready at at the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Okinawa prefecture. Some 70 per cent of all US military bases in Japan are based in Okinawa. AP

While there are no plans to station Australian defence personnel in Japan, the Kishida government supports more joint military exercises with Australia, as it tries to deepen defence ties with Canberra and Washington because of shared concerns about China.  ...

Title: Re: Okinawa Governor: Australian troops not welcome
Post by AiA on Apr 29th, 2022 at 10:51pm
An absurd argument and one that Tokyo does not share: if Taiwan were to be invaded Okinawa would be drawn into the conflict.

Title: Re: Okinawa Governor: Australian troops not welcome
Post by Laugh till you cry on Apr 29th, 2022 at 11:32pm

AiA wrote on Apr 29th, 2022 at 10:51pm:
An absurd argument and one that Tokyo does not share: if Taiwan were to be invaded Okinawa would be drawn into the conflict.


In a major shooting war, Australia's effect would be insignificant.

I don't believe China will ever invade Taiwan. Too many Taiwanese would die so an invasion would be pointless from the aspect of acquiring domination over the people.

If it did come to a shooting war, Taiwan would be at risk of annihilation because it is bristling with US-supplied missiles on Taiwan and its islands.

Title: Re: Okinawa Governor: Australian troops not welcome
Post by Mustapha_Khunt on Apr 30th, 2022 at 1:54am

Laugh till you cry wrote on Apr 29th, 2022 at 11:32pm:

AiA wrote on Apr 29th, 2022 at 10:51pm:
An absurd argument and one that Tokyo does not share: if Taiwan were to be invaded Okinawa would be drawn into the conflict.


In a major shooting war, Australia's effect would be insignificant.

I don't believe China will ever invade Taiwan. Too many Taiwanese would die so an invasion would be pointless from the aspect of acquiring domination over the people.

If it did come to a shooting war, Taiwan would be at risk of annihilation because it is bristling with US-supplied missiles on Taiwan and its islands.


Pity they didn't say that in Tibet, eh?

Oh, these poor counter-revolutionary fools. We'd better not invade them - too many imperialist running-dog class enemy traitors would die, so an invasion would be pointless, ya?

Oh, ya. Let's invade Uncle instead, shall we?

Title: Re: Okinawa Governor: Australian troops not welcome
Post by Jake Winker Frogen on May 2nd, 2022 at 3:30pm
I was stationed in Okinawa for almost a year as a US Navy Sea Bee.

Too many Marines there.

Too many Marines anywhere is always a problem.

Unless you are trying to win a war.

Title: Re: Okinawa Governor: Australian troops not welcome
Post by Jake Winker Frogen on May 2nd, 2022 at 3:37pm
Mind you, reflect, Okinawans, who are not Japanese ethnically, do not love the Japanese either.


Title: Re: Okinawa Governor: Australian troops not welcome
Post by Jake Winker Frogen on May 2nd, 2022 at 3:38pm
They are pawns in a greater chess game.

I found them to be kind and beautiful pawns.

As a pawn myself.

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