First Japanese Troops in Philippines Since WWII

Seen here in this AFP photo are the first Japanese troops on Philippine soil since 1945. This small contingent of Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces (JGSDF) which included four armored vehicles was there to participate in a series of military exercises that involved both American and Philippine forces. While only fifty in number unarmed, their support role plays a host of both practical and symbolic purposes that will likely draw the ire of Beijing. 

The operation code-named Kamandag (Venom), is as reported from American military sources are in no way aimed at China which has engaged the entire international community with its military buildup in the South China Seas.

 

Japan's Major Koki Inoue is quoted as saying: "Our purpose is to improve our operational capability and this is a good opportunity for us to improve our humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training."

Right Ruling - Wrong Response

Seen here is the PRC's newest Type 025D Destroyer Yinchuan (DD*-175). This advanced vessel said to rival the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyers was commissioned in the port of Sanya, Hainan Province hours after the PRC soundly rejected the Hague's International ruling against the PRC's claims in the South China Sea. The official statement reads: "With regard to the award rendered on 12 July 2016 by the International Tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration established at the unilateral request of the Republic of the Philippines…the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China solemnly declares that the award is null and void and has no binding force. China neither accepts nor recognizes it." As if things could not be more tense, Beijing further threatens the disputed region with establishing a Air defense Zone to defend its man made island bases built atop coral reefs in international waters. Clearly this is not helping de-escallate growing tensions.

While the International Court has no way to enforce the ruling dismissing China's historical claims to economic zones as it's own sovereign territory consuming 90% of the South China Seas, this does look bad for the PRC. But this has been a crisis of their own making which goes further than annexing a small land locked country as its own province based on an old map. In the end this is all about business and how far will one country will push its neighbors and the International community at large to the brink of war to gain an economic advantage over its competitors. As it stands, fishermen from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia have clashed with Chinese vessels and there has been bloodshed. 

While the Vietnamese Navy has done little to protect its fishermen, the Philippines have taken the PRC to court and won. Score one for the little guy right? Morally this stands as a victory for the sovereign rights of a small country that's been violated by a larger power but this is far from over. As Beijing plays both victim and aggressor, further rights of navigation passage flights will continue.We hope that someone in Beijing pulls back on this and cooler heads prevail. Nobody wants a war. But you wouldn't know that with the talk coming out of China. Let's hope this doesn't get further out of hand resulting in the loss of life and prosperity.

JMSDF Makes Port Of Call at Subic Bay

As tensions continues to grow over territorial disputes in the South China Seas, three JMSDF vessels including the diesel-electric attack Oyashio Class Submarine Oyashio (SS-590), and destroyers JDS Arike (DD-109) & JDS Setogiri (DD-156) make their first Port of Call to the Philippines in over 15 years. This visit to the former U.S. Naval Base at Subic Bay is just 200 KM from a Chinese held shoal they claim is their sovereign territory which they have been militarizing with artificial islands whose boundaries overlap territorial waters of several nations. It should be noted that one third of the world's oil is transported through the sea lanes in the South China Seas and for the PRC to claim nearly the entire sea as their own has created some serious problems for the region. Ten years ago, the Chinese Navy was just another regional power. Now out of nowhere, they are claiming nearly an entire sea as their own sovereign territory (which they are threatening to fight over) right in the middle of international sea lanes which presents a big problem for global commerce. As it stands, the Philippines do not have the military resources to argue with the Chinese Navy on the high seas. Japan has agreed to help upgrade the Philippines with upgraded military hardware but ultimately it will be up to the JMSDF and the United States Navy to keep the peace. Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, & Brunei also have found themselves in Beijing's cross hairs in this South China Seas dispute with China drawing ire from all around. We all know this is bad for business and the Chinese economy thrives on business as does it's neighbors. As we have stated before, we hope that cooler heads and peace prevails. But of course, we know this is not the end this ongoing saga so we shall say for now: To be Continued.....

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day: Sticking it to the Man!

Seen here are Filipino students who camped out on a disputed island which the PRC claims is their own drawing the ire from both Beijing and for some bizarre reason, Taiwan. Beijing claims their little camping trip is illegal but the kids beg to differ and are there to protest the Chinese Navy's recent sovereign claims to Filipino territory. Both the Philippine Government and the PRC claim these little specks of land in the South China Seas as their own. There is a small Filipino military presence on these islands but it's those damn "Meddling Kids" ala Scooby Doo that are driving Beijing nuts. Now that's sticking it to the Man! For a poor 3rd world country with a tiny military and no real means to stand up to the Chinese Navy, it's left to the Philippine Youth taking a stand for their country. Sure, it won't change much but you have to admire them. Be safe out there You crazy kids!

One of Japan's Most Loyal Soldiers Passes On

In a week that has brought personal tragedy to this author, another death has taken place that would be remiss for us to not mention here. On January 14th, 2014, Onoda Hiroo passed away. Of the countless stories of Japanese holdouts from WWII, it is Mr. Onoda's story that has marked one of the final curtain calls for those who fought for the Showa Emperor.  Assigned to the Philippine Island of Lubang in 1944 to spy on American Forces with explicit orders to conduct guerrilla warfare with strict orders not to die, 2^nd Lieutenant Onoda fought on with a small group of Imperial Japanese Army holdouts long after the Surrender in September of 1945. It would be his 30 Year War.

Over the years there had been multiple attempts by the Japanese government to bring him out of hiding. Leaflets were dropped into the jungles where he hid. Onoda refused to believe them and rendered them as enemy propaganda. Believing that America had imposed some puppet government, Onoda continued to carry on with small acts of sabotage and violent engagements with local farmers as he foraged for food to survive. Eventually, the other holdouts surrendered or were killed leaving him to carry on by himself into the 1960’s. It was during that time he watched flights of American Jets headed for the War in Viet Nam further reinforcing his belief that the war against Japan continued to wage on.

It would not be until 1974 that through the efforts of a Japanese man named Suzuki Norio who had set out to find Onoda. He managed to find Onoda but could not convince him to surrender. Suzuki took a photograph of him with Onoda as proof of his existence and returned to Japan. Once word got out, Suzuki was able to locate Onoda’s former commander Major Yoshimi Taniguchi. Mr. Taniguchi was brought to the Philippines to convince him to surrender. Upon meeting him he was released from all military duties and formally surrendered to Philippine Military officials who later brought him to Malacanang Palace in Manila so he could present his Gunto Sword to then Philippine Dictator Ferdinand Marcos who accepted his surrender and officially forgave him with an official pardon for all activities committed after 1945.

Mr. Onoda was flown to Japan to a Hero’s welcome but he soon discovered how much Japan had changed in ways he could not relate. He did not like the media attention he had received and refused both his government back pay and private donations until pressed which he then donated to the Yasukuni Shrine. As the story goes on, Onoda followed his elder brother Tadao’s lead and left Japan in 1975 for Brazil to start a cattle ranch where he would marry a year later to his wife Machie. But after reading a story about a young man who murdered his parents in Japan in 1980, he became concerned at the state of Japan’s youth and thus returned to Japan in 1984 to establish the Onoda Shizen Juku (Onoda Nature School) where he would use his skills he acquired during his 30 years in the jungle to teach Japanese youth how to survive. 

Mr. Onoda lived a most remarkable life. He passed away in Tokyo from his final battle with pneumonia at the age of 91. While his story has been shared many times, it has been the backlash of worldwide anti-Japanese sentiment in recent comments posted to articles marking this soldier’s remarkable tale. He was not a crazy man. Nor could you say he was fanatical by our standards. Onoda came from a time when honor and loyalty to one’s country meant something. Men of his kind are a rare breed in this day and age and we will never see such men again. So in response to such criticisms, they lack credibility. Arm chair historians, and people with hatred for the Japanese over a war that they themselves did not suffer directly from or were even alive to have witnessed it. Damn the critics! ばか! 

We at American Mishima humbly salute you! 

And to the men still on patrol. 

Rest in Peace. 

To learn more about Onoda Hiroo,

Please Read his book No-Surrender: My Thirty Year War