Grim work

Picture of the Day ( 8 )

Grim work
REUTERS/JSDF 8th Division/Handout

Self-Defense Force soldiers search for missing people in an area devastated by heavy rains near Ichinomiya-machi town in Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture, on Sunday afternoon. 

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8 Comments

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  • 3

    jessebaybay

    This would be a seriously horrible task. I do not envy these guys. Mother Nature needs to give japan a break.

    Also, is any one able to tell me why they are called "self-defense force soldiers" and not just"defense force soldiers" ? Sorry for my silly question. Just wondering.

  • 0

    japan_cynic

    Presumably to emphasise their constitutional constraints (eg in principle they cannot defend other countries). Of course armies are often referred to in euphemistic terms.

  • 2

    OssanAmerica

    I believe both Australia and Israel call their militaries "Defense Force" but they aren't constrained to simply self defense as Japan is.

  • 0

    jessebaybay

    @OssanAmerica

    Thanks, yeah I'm Australian. It just sounds a bit bizarre to hear self-defense force. When I hear self defense I think of martial arts. @japan_cynic I had a inkling it would be to do with their military restrictions. Although I didn't know they couldn't defend other countries.

  • 2

    kwatt

    Japanese SDF soldiers will willingly do any jobs for the sake of their people besides defending the country. They are purer public servants than soldiers.

  • -1

    Thomas Anderson

    Mother Nature needs to give japan a break.

    This flood probably had to do with global warming.

  • 2

    ReformedBasher

    @kwatt

    Japanese SDF soldiers will willingly do any jobs for the sake of their people besides defending the country. They are purer public servants than soldiers.

    So true. They deserve our respect and gratitude.

  • -3

    zichi

    All members of the Self Defense Force are "special civil servants" and are not soldiers, etc. They can leave just like you can in any job.

    They did an amazing job in last year's disasters, and they are doing it agin this year.

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