Heisei Emperor's Vietnam Visit

This past Tuesday saw the arrival of Emperor Akihito & Empress Michiko in Vietnam. He is the first Japanese Emperor to visit there since the end of the Japanese Occupation during WWII. It has been the mission of the Emperor to visit many of the countries Japan once occupied to help heal old wounds and pray for both Japan's war dead as well as for those who fought against them in hopes of promoting lasting peace. What makes this trip so significant is one of purposes of this visit relating to WWII. It is said that at war's end in 1945 that some 700 Japanese soldiers chose to remain in Vietnam to stay with their Vietnamese wives and families. The Emperor is said to meet with a dozen or so surviving widows of those Japanese Soldiers. History records that when the French returned to Vietnam that many of these former IJA soldiers helped the Viet Minh fight the French offering their military expertise. By the time Communist forces of Ho Chi Minh defeated the French in 1954, half of those Japanese Soldiers died from fighting or illness. Another group of 71 left Vietnam without their families. By 1960, all former remaining IJA soldiers were forced to leave Vietnam. This is a curious story that we wish we could find more information for but happy to share this story here. We at American Mishima continue to wish the Emperor success in his enduring peace mission so that all souls lost from the Showa Era and the war that consumed is be at peace.

Gentleman Warrior Lt. General Hal Moore Passes Away at 94

As many of you may now have already heard, a true American Hero has left us. Lt. General Hal Moore (who commanded the 7th Cavalry during the Battle of the Ia Drange Valley of Tears November 1965) has quietly passed away just shy of his 95th birthday. He has now boarded the last chopper for a final flight out of the LZ with his beloved wife Julia and his trusted friend CSM Basil Plumley to a better place where he will be greeted by formations of his former Sky Troopers who stand at attention awaiting to salute his arrival. He represented the best of us during the worst of times.He was a true Gentleman warrior. He will forever bear a special place in the heart of this proud son of a former 1st Air Cavalry Sky Trooper and many others who descend from them. Like his best friend Joe Galloway, many of us owe Lt. General Hal Moore a debt of gratitude. For if he had not told his story many of us whose fathers served there and could not speak while they were alive we would never have known of the sacrifice and bravery of the American Soldier at the base of the Chu Pong Massif. For now that he is gone, there will never be another Gentlemen Warrior like him. Godspeed General and thank you for a lifetime of service and the example you set of which we could only dream of emulating. God Bless & Godspeed.

 

Garry Owen

The Donald Who Knows Everything Knows Nihongo?

As if the meeting with Shinzo Abe could not be any more embarrassingly awkward, it got worse and it was all caught on camera. As Japanese PM Shinzo Abe made his remarks in Japanese, the Donald forgot to wear his translation earpiece. Simple mistake? Okay sure. But instead of asking for it, he proceeds to pretend he understands Japanese nodding his head in agreement and laughing along as if he was JLPT 1 proficient. It was only when a Japanese reporter asked him a question in Nihongo that he was caught red-handed that he had been faking to know what Abe had been saying the whole time and reached for an earpiece. This is what New Century Times describes as the Donald being deranged. As a result, he was mocked throughout the Internet. 

Cringe-worthy Moments: When Abe Met Donald in the Oval Office

It is safe to say that yesterday's embarrassing meeting at the oval office with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will not be the last cringe-worthy moment we will see from America's new mismanagement. When we look back to the warm relationship & diplomacy of former President Obama to the in your face style of the Donald, its clear we have gone from Class to Ass. But don't take our word for it, read Shinzo Abe's body language and you'll say WOW! Behold!

This hand over fist approach was as creepy as the way he touches....

Yeah. Creepy!

Mind you this bizarre handshake lasted over 18 seconds too long.

Abe to Aide: Get the plane ready! はやく!

One Eye Roll worth a thousand words!