Inspecting the troops

Picture of the Day ( 14 )

Inspecting the troops

New Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera inspects an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Thursday. 

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14 Comments

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  • -6

    some14some

    What a 'Mild' looking Defese Minister..!

  • -6

    mitoguitarman

    Here we go again--military revival--down a long dark road.

  • -5

    Maitake

    It begs the question, has he ever served as a troop? No? Then why is he inspecting them?

  • 2

    ebisen

    These are not the troops, these are highly trained actors (special parading regiments). The troops look a bit different

  • 8

    Badge213

    It begs the question, has he ever served as a troop? No? Then why is he inspecting them?

    It's called civilian control over the armed forces/defense forces. Many US presidents have not been in the military either, nor is there any requirement to be.

    Photos like these are there to elicit responses, but this is a normal tradition that has been done many many many times in the past.

  • 4

    zichi

    They are all special civil servants

  • -1

    NeoJamal

    Most western military honor guards use sabers as pictured because they used them in battle before the introduction of revolvers.

    Japan used to have katanas on parades but they were deemed 'too nationalistic' after the war so we don't have them anymore. Perhaps our "SELF-DEFENSE Forces" could wear pink service uniforms to keep up with the toning down, even blonde wigs and blue contacts to go along with the EUROPEAN sabers

  • -1

    NeoJamal

    Most western military honor guards use sabers as pictured because they used them in battle before the introduction of revolvers. Japan never used European sabers in combat. By the time Commodore Perry opened up Japan from isolation, swords were obsolete.

    Japan used to have katanas on modern parades but they were deemed 'too nationalistic' after the war so we don't have them anymore. Perhaps our "SELF-DEFENSE Forces" could wear pink service uniforms to keep up with the toning down, even blonde wigs and blue contacts to go along with the EUROPEAN sabers

  • -4

    Probie

    Yeah, like he knows what he's doing. It's like when you see train drivers salute each other when they change over. Stupid.

    Although, the Japanese military is just like boy-scouts with bigger toys, so, if they want to play at soldiers, I guess this guy can play at pretending that he has a clue.

  • 2

    brknarm

    Some of you sure are negative with your posts...find some peace people.

  • -1

    cleo

    It begs the question, has he ever served as a troop? No? Then why is he inspecting them?

    He's the Defence Minister. If he has to make the decision to put any of the troops in harm's way for any reason, then he needs to have seen their faces and looked into their eyes.

    Whether he's ever been in uniform himself is quite beside the point.

  • 3

    lwsydney

    I like his pants.

  • 0

    BurakuminDes

    Why do Japanese Ministers dress to look British on ceremonial occasions - Top Hat and all? I know Yukatas and Japanese traditional garb looks too comical in modern serious situations - but really...a top hat? Just curious.

  • 0

    m6bob

    Impressive!

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