The Fall of Saigon Remembered

40 years ago today saw the fall of Saigon and the end to the War in Vietnam. Over 200,000 ARVN,  50,000 American, countless Viet Cong & PAVN soldiers, and countless civilians died in the conflict that ended on this date in 1975.

Abe Apologizes for American War Deaths

Japan's Prime Minister spoke before a joint session of Congress. In his speech, he brought up the big elephant in the room by offering his eternal condolences for American War Dead. “On behalf of Japan and the Japanese people, I offer with profound respect my eternal condolences to the souls of all American people that were lost during World War II,” he said to rousing applause from U.S. lawmakers. Abe went one step further acknowledging that Japan's actions against it's Asian neighbors caused great suffering. While most applauded this historic acknowledgement of Japan's wartime misdeeds, lawmakers like Democrat Mike Honda who invited a former Korean Sex Slave felt he did not go far enough. Of course no speech from a Japanese PM will ever satisfy critics in China and Korea. But as Abe said, what is done can not be undone. For this reason Abe's government is trying to spare no effort to help its neighbors where it can. Moving back to the war, in the gallery sat a former LT General Snowden who fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. He sat next to the grandson of the Islands garrison commander Lieutenant General Tadamichi Kuribayashi. The two men stood together and shook hands symbolizing just how far we have come since those dark days of WWII. We at American Mishima believe there is still much that Japan must own up to for the war but at the same time appreciate these heartfelt apologies and continued efforts to right the wrongs of the past. All things takes time and we believe Japan will get there. But don't take our word for it. Watch the speech here:

April Apologies

In case you noticed, we did not have any posts this month due to our internet issues. We are back online again. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Heisei Emperor Honors War Dead

Seen here from earlier this month, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko laid wreaths to both Japanese and American war dead on the island of Peleliu. This one small island in the Pacific was the scene of horrific battles in which over 10,000 Japanese Soldiers and some 1500 Americans were killed. Considering how many deaths on Peleliu were done in the Showa Emperor's name, it is fitting that the current Heisei Emperor pay his respects to those lost so long ago. We at American Mishima appreciate and respect this humble gesture and hope that our two great nations which today are close allies and friends never go to war against each other ever again. 

Honoring Japanese Americans at JACCC's Vietnam Memorial

Seen here on the 50th anniversary of the US Marine Expeditionary Force Landing at Da Nang Republic of Vietnam, is the newly completed Veterans Memorial at the JACCC Plaza honoring those American of Japanese Ancestry whose lives were lost in the Vietnam War. 

Most notable name on this memorial is that of Jimmy Nakayama who was killed by friendly fire during the Battle of the Ia Drang November 1965. His story and tragic death is featured in the film Once We Were Soldiers and Young by Retired General Hal Moore & Former UPI Reporter Joseph Galloway. We won't show you the scene here for it is as horrific as it is sad. We at American Mishima honor these brave men with both a military salute and a respectful bow. Like the Vietnam saying goes: All Gave Some - Some Gave All. Rest in Peace.

If you wish to see the clip from Once We Were Soldiers, here is the link: Jimmy Nakayama Scene

Japan's New Izumo Carrier Gets Commissioned

After lengthy sea trials, the JMSDF commissioned it's newest class of "Helicopter Destroyer" carrier DDH-181 Izumo in a formal ceremony atop her decks on March 25th, 2015. The Izumo is one of two scheduled ships of her size and class to be built for the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. The Izumo is the exact size of the WWII IJN Carrier Shokaku. What separates the Izumo from other aircraft carriers is the absence of a steam catapult or ski-lift. However this does not stop the Izumo from carrying STOVL (Short Take Off Vertical Landing) aircraft such as the proposed F-35B variant of the F-35 II Lightening. 

 

All fixed wing aircraft debates aside, the Izumo will carry up to 25 aircraft. She is planned to carry up to 9 V-22 Ospreys, 7 ASW helicopters, and 2 SAR helicopters. The Izumo comes fully loaded with an electronic suite, antisubmarine gear, 2 phalanx guns, and 2 SeaRam Close in weapon systems making her a formidable weapons platform for the 21st Century. 

So now that you got your commission, what are you going to do next? Well, for the Izumo it's six months of training out of her home port at Yokosuka than off to her first patrol doing surveillance. While the Izumo may appear small next to the US Navy's Nimitz Carriers, she carries enough firepower and equipment to provide a variety of missions from humanitarian to peacekeeping. While the debate will continue on the part of PM Shinzo Abe as to the need to scrap Article 9's provisions limiting Japan's defense forces, we at American Mishima hope to see Japan one day have a fixed wing aircraft carrier of her own to help provide more security in the region and continue to play an ample role in our continued military alliance. Until that time we wish the Captain and the crew of the Izumo a big Ganbarre and may she keep Japan safe.

New Video from the Tsubaki Grand Shrine

Tsubaki Grand Shrine - Setsubun 2015 from Alex Williams on Vimeo.

For those of you who have never attended a Shinto Ceremony especially in this country, you will find this video taken this last Setsubun will give you a sense of how ceremonies take place at the Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America located in Granite Falls just one hour's drive north of Seattle. We haven't been able to go up there in the last three years but we at American Mishima highly recommend visiting. Please Enjoy!

To learn more please visit: Tsubaki Grand Shrine