In his Thursday’s tweet, the Osaka Governor Ichiro Matsui essentially admitted by suggesting that police brutality of his own police riot squad is a by-the-book practice directed by the Osaka Prefectural Police Department.
“I’ve seen the video on the internet. Although the expression may
have been inappropriate, I found that the Osaka Police Officer was
frantically loyal in doing his job. I appreciate his good work under
dispatch.”- Osaka Governor Ichiro Matsui’s tweet (09:12PM, October 19, 2016 JST)
On Wednesday, a 29-year-old riot police officer dispatched from Osaka to assist local police in quelling the anti-base protests in Okinawa Prefecture was caught hurling dojin, or “savages,” against a protester on a video posted on the internet.
Later confirmed by the Mainichi Daily, the incident came amid intensifying confrontations between the nationally consolidated riot police force and the local residents over the construction of helipads for MV-22 Ospreys at the U.S. Northern Training Area (NTA) , a U.S. military training site sitting across a village of Higashi in northern part of Okinawa.
In the incident, a 29-year-old male officer from the Osaka Prefectural Police reportedly yelled at a protester - who was also a well-known local author and activist - , saying:
“Don’t touch me you shxxx. Where are you grabbing, you fxxx? You savages!”
The word used to describe “savages”, or dojin （土人), is considered a racial slur which is officially described in Kyodo’s official press handbook as being a socially unacceptable and racially or ethnically derogatory expression often aimed at natives or indigenous people. This word was once used to describe the real-life Korean, Taiwanese, and Okinawan individuals in a display at the ‘Humanity’ exhibit held in Osaka over 100 years ago in 1903, which caused an enormous uproar in Okinawa at the time.
In 2003, the incident was reenacted by a group of theatre artists led by Kaoru Kaneshiro, who is the current President of an archive project that restores old Kansai-area and Okinawa literature and cultural heritage known as Kansai Okinawa Bunko. When asked about the “savages” incident, Kaneshiro cut off by saying it came to know great surprise and that it was only an instance where general feeling towards the Okinawans came to surface.
“It came to me as no great surprise. It’s only that general feelings towards the Okinawans have surfaced after all. May be there is an ongoing discrimination against Okinawans in the Osaka Prefectural Police. The Prefectural Police should be held accountable for this.”
The victim of the racial slur at first couldn’t recognize the term and misheard it as rojin (老人) which means elderly or old man, according to an interview by the local paper Okinawa Times. Renown Akutagawa Award laureate and activist Shun Medoruma, was saddened to realize that discrimination against the Okinawans are more real than ever:
”The construction of new U.S. base in Henoko has been long considered as a display of structural discrimination, but that was only in a political context. The derogatory term used in a situation of face-to-face confrontation of two human beings felt more real than ever, making discrimination [against Okinawans] a more pronounced reality [to me].”
Local Ryukyu Shimpo reported that Governor Matsui made a formal remark this morning in a press conference, saying “the expression was wrong and he [the police officer] should reflect on his conduct.” However, the Governor also went on to say this:
“He was just attending his duties following his orders so as to prevent unnecessary clashes from happening for the people of Okinawa. People are going over the edge in beating this person up in an uproar including the major media”.
In the conference, Governor Matsui acknowledged that police officers were mobilized nationwide to prevent unnecessary clashes from happening in the “disrupted land”. Then he questioned, “exactly who is causing these disruptions?” and went on to say that the protesters are being “too radical”.
According to ANN, later during the day, the head of National Police Agency formerly admitted that the acts by the riot police officer was “inappropriate and extremely regretful."
"The words of the riot police officer was inappropriate and extremely regretful. We seek to eliminate such incidents going forward and will enforce tight discipline to conduct appropriate level of policing activity,”
NPA’s recently appointedCommissioner-General Masayoshi Sakaguchi, who is also the former Osaka Prefectural Police Chief, said in his daily briefing.
According to Governor Matsui, the riot police officer in question has been summoned to the Osaka Prefectural Police and will be dealt with by the NPA and the National Public Safety Commission. The Osaka Prefectural Police official initially commented on the act as being “improper”.
Last Friday at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the Japanese Government was questioned in an open discussion over the ongoing U.S. helipad construction issue near the small settlement of Takae in the village of Higashi in Okinawa.
Japan is running for a seat in the UN’s Human Rights Council.
The discussion happened on the very same day the Government of Japan mobilized over 500 policemen [riot squad members] in the settlement to eliminate the protesting residents and to resume the construction of the facility.
In the discussion, the representative of Japan was questioned what measures the Japanese government was enforcing to ensure the freedom of peaceful assembly, particularly in Okinawa.
日本大使「集会の自由大切」
UN Ambassador: “Freedom of association is enshrined in Japanese law”
“I do not have the details of the ground. However, in general, I can assure you that the Government of Japan including its Police Department is acting according to the Japanese law,” Japan’s UN Ambassador Misako Kaji responded.
“The legal system of Japan ensures the promotion and protection of human rights. Freedom of peaceful association is enshrined in our Constitution.”
[Original Quote] Amb. Kaji:Thank you. Mr. Chairman.The question was on freedom of peaceful association of vulnerable groups in Okinawa. I presume this derives from the report that today in Okinawa Prefecture there were clashes between the Japanese Police and the protestors on the construction of the US helicopters resumed in the military training area.I do not have the details of the ground. However, in general, I can assure you that the Government of Japan including its Police Department is acting according to the Japanese law. The legal system of Japan ensures the promotion and protection of human rights. Freedom of peaceful association is enshrined in our Constitution. Thank you.
The open discussion was held in anticipation of the upcoming election of new council members to the Human Rights Commission this fall. Hosted by the Government of Panama and human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, the event was chaired by Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights with participation of 9 candidate nations including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Questions were collected from Twitter, and many of the questions from Japan pertained to the situation in Takae.
専門家「国内外で使い分け」
Human Rights Expert: “They are switching between ‘faces’”
“Now that the human rights violations in Takae is being scrutinized in the UN in real-time, the Japanese government must be realizing how it is becoming increasingly difficult to ‘switch faces’ in and out of Japan,” says Taisuke Komatsu, the representative of the international anti-discrimination organization IMADR in Geneva who called on for questions from Japan.
“They bring out ‘national laws’ when what they are being asked is whether they our upholding international human rights norms or not. That does not look like a ‘sincere response’ in a place of international discussion like this.”
沖縄県における米軍基地問題に反対する平和的抗議活動に対する抑圧と琉球／沖縄の先住民族の権利の侵害[1] Suppression of civilians peacefully protesting US military bases
in Okinawa, and violations of the rights of the Ryukyuan/Okinawan
indigenous people [1]
１ 米軍基地の新施設建設に反対する平和的抗議集会への抑圧
Suppression of peaceful protests against the construction of new US military base facilities
In Okinawa prefecture, in the southernmost part of Japan, there are 34
US Armed Forces facilities covering 10% of its area. New US Military
facilities are currently being constructed, and the Japanese authority
continues to use serious violence against peaceful protesters.
In
Takae, Higashi Village, northern part of Okinawa, the US and Japan plans to
construct a helicopter landing pad in the northern training zone where US
forces reside. Furthermore, there is plan to build a US military base in the
seaside area of Henoko, Okinawa. Peaceful protests by local residents against
the construction, such as sit-ins, continue in the surrounding neighbourhood.
The
Japan government has violently removed protesters as well as dispatched riot
police, resulting in excessive use of force. In September, 2015, Japan Coast
Guard members grabbed a protester by his throat, screaming and leaving him with
neck injuries that required two weeks to heal.[2]
In November 2015, Japan Coast Guard officers physically harmed civilians by
excessive violence three days in a row.[3]
Also, on January 20, 2016, a Japan Coast Guard officer caught filmmaker Asako
Kageyama, who participated in the protests offshore Henoko, in a leg lock to
seize her camera.[4]
Since July 19, 2016, the Japan government has deployed more
than 100 riot police from all over the country to Takae, Okinama.[5]
Currently, 500 to 700 riot police currently surround Takae, with a
population of about 160, and continue forcibly removing civilians sitting in
front of the construction site gate. Riot police throttled several civilians by
their throats, and a 72-year-old female protester was taken to the hospital for
hitting her head.[6]
Protesters have been unduly arrested and detained for only resisting the riot
police’s violence.[7]
On August 20, 2016, riot police physically restrained a
local newspaper journalist reporting on the protest in Takae for 15 minutes
after grabbing his arms and pushing his back for 40 meters into a space between
parked police vehicles.[8]
74% of US forces’ exclusive-use facilities are concentrated
in Okinawa.[9]
As of the end of June 2011, the total number of US forces in Japan including
army, navy, air force and marines was 36,712, 25,843 (70.4%) of which are
deployed in Okinawa. 15,365 (87.4%) of 17,585 US marines in Japan are deployed
in Okinawa.[10]
US forces in Japan ceased releasing their numbers in Okinawa in June 2011, and
the actual number is unknown since then.[11]
(2) 米軍基地建設の歴史的経緯
Historical background of the construction of US
military bases
During and after WWII, the US military forcibly took much
of the land of Okinawa’s people. Despite numerous protests of local people, in 1956, the US
forced citizens, including those in Henoko and Takae to choose either forced
requisition or voluntary disposition of land for US military bases. The land
was taken as a result of a painful choice by residents, but not under their
free will.
In
1972, the US and Japanese governments made an agreement to return Okinawa to
Japan with the condition that the US military be given a special privilege to
use Okinawan bases without limitation, denying local residents’ rights.
Thus, US military bases in Okinawa were built during and
after WWII, ignoring the land rights of Ryukyuan/Okinawan people, and due
to the Okinawan bases’ existence, local people are denied their indigenous
rights toward traditional land and natural resources.
(3) 米軍基地移設問題における権利侵害 Violations of rights regarding the relocation of US
military bases
On
July 1, 2014, when house demolition started in Henoko for the relocation of
U.S. Air Station Futenma, people opposing the relocation began sit-ins in front
of the gate.[12]
The Japanese government designated restricted areas around the ancestral
regions of Cape Henoko and Oura Bay, without consultation with and consent of
local people, and since then forcibly removed protesters through violence.
Ryukyuan/Okinawan
people have been banned from entering their ancestral region and threatened to
be arrested for trespassing, and indeed many have been arrested.
3 集会の自由の侵害および先住民の権利侵害
Violations of the freedom of assembly and the rights of indigenous peoples
In 31th Human Rights Council(HRC), the Special Rapporteur
on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association and the Special
Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions submitted a joint
report on the proper management of assemblies, [13]
and made practical recommendations, including
“assemblies should be presumed lawful, subject to the
permissible limitations set out in article 21 of the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights”(Para18);
“when a State invokes national security and protection of
public order to restrict an assembly, it must prove the precise nature of the
threat and the specific risks posed. It is not sufficient for the State to
refer generally to the security situation”(para31);
“Any use of force must comply with the principles of
necessity and proportionality”;
“The necessity requirement restricts the kind and degree of
force used to the minimum necessary in the circumstances, and “any force used
should be targeted at individuals using violence or to avert an imminent
threat”(para 57).
The HRC resolution A/HRC/31/L.21 strongly encourage all
States to give due consideration to this practical recommendations as it
provides useful guidance to implement States duty to respect the rights to
peaceful protest. [14]
The use of force against peaceful protesters and
journalists by the Japanese authority is clearly exceeding above “necessity
minimum” requirement. Thus, the use of force constitutes grave violations
of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and the right to press.
(2) 琉球／沖縄の人々の先住民族としての権利 The rights of Ryukyuan/Okinawan people as
indigenous people
The UN Human Rights Committee [15]
and the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination[16]recognize Ryukyuan/Okinawan people as the
indigenous peoples.
In accordance with UN Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples (DRIP), the Japanese government must recognize and
take measures to guarantee
and protect
the indigenous people’s “right to the lands,
territories and resources” and abides article 19’s principle of free, prior and
informed consent (FPIC).[17]
Further, the Japanese government must undertake effective
consultations with the indigenous peoples concerned, prior to using their lands
or territories for military activities (Article 30).
Immediately cease violent removals and excessive policing to the people peacefully protesting the relocation
and construction of US military bases in Henoko and Takae and journalists
covering the situation in accordance with international human rights standards including ICCPR article 21.
Ensure the citizens’ rights to participate peaceful assembly protesting the US military bases in accordance with international standards including ICCPR article 21
Ensure
the rights of journalists to cover and report the peaceful assembly protesting
the US military bases in accordance with international standards including
ICCPR article 19.
Recognize the Ryukyuan/Okinawan people as an indigenous people, and ensure the right to traditional land and natural resources and the right to “participate in decision-making in matters which would affect their rights” in accordance with article 26 and
19 of DRIP;
国連先住民族権利宣言１９条に基づき、琉球／沖縄の人々に自由意思による、事前の、十分な情報に基づく合意(Free Prior and Informed Consent)原則を遵守する効果的な政策決定への参加機会を保障して沖縄県への米軍基地の偏在を解消すること。
Resolve the heavy concentration of
US military bases in Okinawa by ensuring effective participation of the Ryukyuan/Okinawan people to the decision making process which abides by DRIP article 19’s principle of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC).
[1] Joint statement of Human Rights Now(HRN), International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR), and All Okinawa Council for Human Rights.
(OBN Tokyo) The photo copy of the note from the now privately incorporated Japan Post Bank Co., Ltd. indicated the reason for the freeze as follows:
June 1, 2017 Japan Post Bank Co., Ltd.
Notice: Execution of actions to terminate transaction and other actions concerning your accounts
You are hereby notified that your accounts as indicated below have been terminated per our internal banking rules*.
* Per Article 14 of Normal Savings Account Rules, Article 13 of Savings Account Rules, Article 29 Transfer Account Rules.
The above rules establish that “account that is or has the potential of being used in acts against laws and/or public order and morals” may be terminated.
Note:
Termination Date: May 31, 2017
緊急事態です。いよいよガチの言論弾圧です。
“This is suppression of press freedom in the flesh. A state of emergency,” he wrote in his blog.
“As an independent media pursuing post-journalism reporting, I’ve been flying to Takae [*] since last August for about ten months, trying to tell the in-the-flesh live stories that no conventional mass media can report. My bank account, where all the voluntary contributions and subscription fees to my “Oogesa Tsushin (大袈裟通信) ” are saved, have been frozen,“ he wrote.
郵便局で通帳が吸い込まれ、警備員に囲まれました。
"At the post office, my bank book was swallowed into the ATM and I was surrounded by the security guards,” he recollects the moment of the siege.
“I have done no act against the law whatsoever. If worse comes to worst, all my savings money may be entirely confiscated… This account was not only for voluntary contributions and subscription fees but also for my salary payments. Now I can do practically nothing.”
“Now I am really feeling in my guts that I’ve been targeted for suppression of my press freedom. Even my mentor who’ve been active in the social front for six years says this is unprecedented. He thinks it may be the first case where a person not involved in Boryokudan (暴力団) or Japan’s organized crime syndicate has had one’s account being frozen.”
He then went on to say that this attack has nothing to do with the so-called Neto-Uyo (ネトウヨ)” or the online pseudo right.
“I hear this attack has nothing to do with the Neto-Uyo’s. I’m trembling with fear against what power can do to you,” he says, “But I will never give in. I’ll get every penny of my money back.”
He then warned what the new conspiracy law, which is being debated in the Upper House of the National Diet (already approved in the Lower House and is presumed to pass the Upper House as well with overwhelming majority) as we speak, may mean to the Japanese people.
“This country is really rotten to the core. Even before we have the kyobozai (共謀罪) or conspiracy law in place, this happens. So what would happen if it IS in place? What would our country become? I want everybody to share this thought with sense of urgency.”
But then he also refuses to go down without a smile.
こんな時こそ、愛とユーモアを忘れずにやっていこう！と高江の石原さん夫妻からも励ましてもらいました。
“This is the time when love and humor should not be forgotten!” he recalls what a couple close to him in Takae has said to him.
“Many people from Okinawa and the whole nation are supporting me, giving me the strength to persevere. So it seems like I can hang on for a while, without falling.”
He then ends his blog with a note of determination.
“As a one small citizen, a fledgling journalist, I will make this known to everyone, that a powerful force is trying to deprive and obliterate an individual of his dignity and his well-being. I will make it known. I will not lose this fight.”
明日、弁護士や関係各所にアプローチします。
He said he will contact his lawyers and others to seek support.
His alternate bank account at MUFG, however remains alive. He doesn’t condone that MUFG is financing the development of cluster bombs, “but in this case, necessity knows no law (背に腹は替えられない)”, he concedes.
You can still support his independent journalism by depositing to this MUFG account:
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (BTMU)
Account No: 0004738
Account Name: Inomata Tougo
[*] A small settlement in the villa of Higashi in northern Okinawa where helipads are being built for MV-22 Ospreys amid fierce local dissent. Local dissent includes the Okinawa Governor but the National Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the national government which adamantly seeks to uphold the bilateral accord with the United States government to build the helipads. Since and before the resumption of the construction work, the national government has employed brute police force mobilizing not only locally but nationally.
[FOLLOW-UP] Bank freeze lifted by owner’s request, no clear explanation given - June 7, 2017
According to Tanaka Ryusaku Journal (田中龍作ジャーナル), the Japan Post Bank has lifted the freeze due to request from the account owner Oogesa Taro (Inomata Tougo) himself. Taro found out that the account was frozen a week ago but he was not aware of it because he did not visit the bank during the last week. He discovered the account was frozen yesterday, on June 6.
According to the Journal, on the next day on June 7, Taro called the contact that was indicated in the notice; Financial Crime Section at the Japan Post Bank Tokyo Savings Operating Center ( ゆうちょ銀行・東京貯金事務センター金融犯罪対応課).
“We cannot give out the details, but we noticed that there were frequent inbound and deposits and withdrawals. Because we suspected it may be used for fraud, we froze it (the account) to protect your interests.”
Now this explanation does not compute. The Journal agrees.
No way. Withdrawls from Oogesa-san’s acount is about two to three times a month. Deposits are like 15 per month, including voluntary contributions and salary. And the contributions are in average like 1,000 - 2,000 yen (USD9-18).
So it isn’t an amount that needs to be frozen. Far from it. A financial crimes lawyer concedes that there is no" justifiable reason for the freeze,“ unless it involves millions of yen and that withdrawals are made instantly.
According to the Journal, on the same day of this phone conversation, Taro called the section again to seek further explanation.
Surprisingly, what the postal bank offered was to bring identification and the bankbook to the nearest post office. Once he did that, the freeze was instantly lifted.
The Journal’s journalist Tanaka called up the Japan Post for further explanation. Their answer was too simple:
「総合的に判断した」
"That was our overall assessment.”
According to the Journal, rumors are abound (and they actually take credit of it) that the Neto-Uyos have reported on the account’s allegedly suspicious activity and that the bank responded.
That still does not make sense, because the bank will make its own judgement of the financial activities of any account. They will not (shall not) base their decision to freeze a customer’s account on groundless accusations.
Then why did they do it? And what made them convinced to lift the freeze in an instance once the owner showed up to one of their branches?
The bank’s notice made reference to three internal rules that in their view was infringed upon by the alleged unlawful or immoral activities of Taro’s account. They were Article 14 of Normal Account Rules, Article 13 of Savings Accounts Rules, and Article 29 Transfer Account Rules.
All of them are listed by category and can be downloaded.
However, the corresponding provisions appeared somewhat peculiar to justify the bank’s cause for freezing Taro’s account: “account is determined that it is or has the potential of being used in acts against laws and/or public order and morals”.
If either one of the below applies, the Bank may suspend the account in question or with due notice a complete repayment of the entire amount in the account may be effected. In the case of complete repayment with due notice, the complete repayment shall deemed complete the moment the notice from the Bank is sent out to the name and address of the Addressee with the said notice regardless of the arrival or non-arrival of the said notice.
If either one of the below applies, the Bank may terminate the account in question or with due notice to the Owner terminate the said account. In the case of termination with due notice, the termination shall deemed as effected and the said transfer account shall be closed the moment the notice from the Bank is sent out to the name and address of the Owner with the said notice regardless of the arrival or non-arrival of the said notice. If the transfer account retains a remaining balance of the deposit the amount will be noted and repayment paper shall be sent out with Owner of the said account as its recipient.
All of these three provisions point to the case when, the account is determined that "it is or has the potential of being used in acts against laws and/or public order and morals”.
Obviously, Taro’s case matched ALL of this criteria. Otherwise the freeze would not have been effected. The only ‘validation’ they performed posto-facto was to validate the name and identification of the account owner.
Tokyo’s far-from-subservient comedian duo reveals its new routine; criticize the ‘establishment’, including those of us who consciously or semi-consciously acquiesce to them, the desensitized public.
(OBN - Tokyo) In Japan, this year’s year-end comedy entertainment show, The Manzai 2017 featured 2013 Champion Women Rush Hour, a comedy duo who is popular with high-speed routine of Manzai, Japanese traditional style of duo or multi-person stand-up comedy. Its leader, Muramoto, is known for ranting criticism on public air and on social media. But as a group, it had never featured political satire as its centerpiece in a high-profile show like The Manzai. On December 17, they did. Below is a part of their routine transcribed by the web media Litera in Japanese with OBN’s translation. Remember: All these exchanges between the two members go on in ultra-high speed. The whole routine on four topics ends in less than six minutes. And this is only an excerpt.
M: Muramoto, Leader N: Nakagawa, Partner
原発
1. On nuclear power
村本「福井県の大飯町、知っていますか？ 大飯原発がある大飯町です」
M: Do you know Ooi-cho in Fukui Prefecture? It’s where the the Ooi nuclear plant is located.
M: Ooi-cho’s a nuke town, you know? And the neighboring town of Takahama-cho also has the Takahama nuclear plant. And the neighboring Mihama-cho has Mihama nuke plant. And then next to that in Tsuruga, we have Monju. We have FOUR nuke plants in such a small area! But you know what? in Ooi-cho, everything closes down by 7pm! After 7pm the town goes pitch dark! Now let me ask you this: Where the hell did all the electricity go???
沖縄
2. On Okinawa
村本「現在、沖縄が抱えている問題は？」
M: So tell me. What are the current issues in Okinawa?
中川「米軍基地の辺野古移設問題」
N: U.S. military bases and base relocation to Henoko?
村本「あとは？」
M: And?
中川「高江のヘリパッド問題」
N: The heli pad issue in Takae?
村本「それらは沖縄だけの問題か？」
M: And these are ALL OKINAWA’s issue?
中川「いや日本全体の問題」
N: No, entire Japan’s issue.
村本「東京でおこなわれるオリンピックは？」
M: How ‘bout the 2020 Olympics hosted in Tokyo?
中川「日本全体が盛り上がる」
N: Entire Japan will go party?
村本「沖縄の基地問題は？」
M: And the Okinawa base issues are –- ?
中川「沖縄だけに押し付ける」
N: Okinawa’s own business.
村本「楽しいことは？」
M: So whatever is fun will be –- ?
中川「日本全体のことにして」
N: The whole Japan’s thing.
村本「面倒臭いことは？」
M: What ever smells trouble is -–?
中川「見て見ぬふりをする」
N: Looked away?
村本「在日米軍に払っている金額は？」
M: So how much do we pay for the U.S. Forces in Japan?
中川「9465億円」
N: 946.5 billion yen?
村本「そういった予算は何という？」
M: And what do we call this .. budget?
中川「思いやり予算」
N: ”Sympathy budget"?
村本「アメリカに思いやりをもつ前に──」
N: Before we feed ‘sympathy’ to the Americans –-
中川「沖縄に思いやりをもて!!!」
N: We should feed sympathy to the Okinawans!!!
日米関係
3. Bilateral relations with the U.S.
村本「現在アメリカといちばん仲がいい国は？」
M: So which country is like REALLY TIGHT with the U.S. today?
中川「日本」
N: Japan?
村本「その仲がいい国は何をしてくれる？」
M: And what does this REALLY TIGHT country offer to do?
中川「たくさんミサイルを買ってくれる」
N: Buy tons of missiles?
村本「あとは？」
M: And?
中川「たくさん戦闘機を買ってくれる」
N: Buy a lot of fighter jets?
村本「あとは？」
M: And…?
中川「たくさん軍艦を買ってくれる」
N: Buy a lot of destroyers?
村本「それはもう仲がいい国ではなくて──」
M: That’s more than TIGHT, it’s…
中川「都合のいい国!!!」
N: CONVENIENT!
国民意識
4. The desensitized public
村本「現在日本が抱えている問題は？」
M: What are the current issues in Japan?
中川「被災地の復興問題」
N: Reconstruction of disaster-affected areas?
村本「あとは？」
M: And?
中川「原発問題」
N: Nuclear plant issue?
村本「あとは？」
M: And…?
中川「沖縄の基地問題」
N: Okinawa’s base issue?
村本「あとは？」
M: And what else?
中川「北朝鮮のミサイル問題」
N: North Korean missile crisis?
村本「でも結局ニュースになっているのは？」
M: But all we hear in the news is–?
中川「議員の暴言」
N: Politicians saying crude stuff?
村本「あとは？」
M: And?
中川「議員の不倫」
N: Politicians having affairs?
村本「あとは？」
M:What else?
中川「芸能人の不倫」
N: TV celebrities having affairs?
村本「それはほんとうに大事なニュースか？」
M: Are these REALLY important news for us?
中川「いや表面的な問題」
N: Nope. Completely superficial.
村本「でもなぜそれがニュースになる？」
M: Then WHY do we hear it all the time in the news?
“Following the MV-22 mishap off the coast of Australia, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit took the following actions to ensure the safety of future flight operations:
Launched a full investigation into the mishap to determine the cause
原因究明の為、総括的事故調査を行いました。
Instituted a 48-hour operational pause to review unit safety procedures
部隊の安全手順を再確認する為に４８時間の運用差し止めを行いました。
Collected firsthand accounts of those involved, reviewed aircraft maintenance logs and crew training records, and closely analyzed all factors contributing to the mishap with our senior aviation leadership
The squadron commanding officer met with squadron members to re-emphasize the importance of adhering to flight standards and safety procedures.
部隊指揮官は部隊の隊員と会い、飛行基準と安全手順の遵守の重要さを強調しました。
After taking these actions and making an initial examination of the facts and circumstances leading up to the mishap, the MEU determined that the Osprey is safe to fly and resumed operations. I concurred with the MEU commander?I would never put my aircrews or any local citizens in danger by flying an aircraft that I do not believe is safe and ready to fly. We did not take the decision to continue flight operations lightly.
Salvage and recovery operations are now underway, with the assistance of the crew of the HMAS Melville of the Australian Defence Force. We mourn the loss of our Marines and grieve with their families. Please continue to keep all our Marines in your thoughts and prayers.
Our Marines and sailors must and will continue to focus on the mission of ensuring peace and security throughout the region. Our aircraft are reliable and exceptionally valuable assets in this endeavor. The MV-22 Osprey in particular has proven itself capable of reaching remote areas and supporting critical missions like providing assistance to victims of the 2016 earthquake in Kumamoto, the 2015 earthquake in Nepal and Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013. We live in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and care very deeply for our international friends and partners. We value our aircrews and the Marines and sailors who fly in our aircraft, as well as the citizens we fly over in the United States, Japan,
Australia, and throughout the world. III MEF will continue to train to
ensure readiness while minimizing impact to our communities so we can
operate safely when and where we are needed.
On November 28, Turkey’s Haber 7,Yeni Yasam, and Harwar News (ANHA) - which is close to the Democratic Unity Party (PYD), a Syrian Kurdish nationalist organization - all reported that Japan’s Public Security Intelligence Agency had removed the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) from “List of Global Terrorist and Armed Organizations” section on its official website.
When you put this in someone’s hands, you’re acknowledging the choices
that they make as an actor, moment by moment, scene by scene, day by
day, but you’re also acknowledging the choices they make as a person;
the education they pursued, the training they sought, the hours they put
in.
I’m grateful for the acknowledgment of the choices I’ve made, and I’m also grateful to have lived at a moment in our society where choice exists, because as women and as girls, things can happen to our bodies that are not our choice.
I’ve tried my very best to live a life of my own making, and not just a series of events that happened to me, but one that I can stand back and look at and recognize my handwriting all over—sometimes messy and scrawling, sometimes careful and precise—but one that I carved with my own hand. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without employing a woman’s right to choose; to choose when to have my children and with whom when I felt supported and able to balance our lives, knowing—as all mothers know—that the scales must and will tip towards our children.
Now, I know my choices might look different than yours. But thank God, or whomever you pray to, that we live in a country founded on the principle that I am free to live by my faith and you are free to live by yours.
So women, 18 to 118, when it is time to vote, please do so in your own self-interest. It’s what men have been doing for years. It’s what men have been doing for years, which is why the world looks so much like them. Don’t forget: We are the largest voting body in this country. Let’s make it look more like us.
