U.S. delays Osprey flights in Japan after protests

Politics Aug. 04, 2012 - 02:20PM JST ( 32 )

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32 Comments

0

UtrackAug. 04, 2012 - 06:55AM JST

Go citizens, at least protesting worked with the US Govt. Hope J Govt is paying attention. The people should have some power since they have to live with what gets decided on.
-7

BertieWoosterAug. 04, 2012 - 07:01AM JST

There'll be a demonstration against the Osprey at Ginowan tomorrow.

At last, things are beginning to happen.
-2

valley-of-the-shadowsAug. 04, 2012 - 07:23AM JST

The United States said Friday it would delay flights of its Osprey aircraft in Japan until it wins the confidence of its close ally in the wake of protests by residents concerned over crashes.

How about, stop trying to "win" confidence from their "close ally", and start trying to listen to the residents?
7

SchopenhauerAug. 04, 2012 - 07:26AM JST

Let JSDF Air have Ospreys and see if the demonstrations will also be directed to JSDF. Many demonstrators are against US Forces in Japan itself.
-6

YuriOtaniAug. 04, 2012 - 08:16AM JST

Schopenhauer, Japan has no use for this aircraft. It is nice that the USG listened to the people of Japan for a change.
-5

BertieWoosterAug. 04, 2012 - 08:20AM JST

A lot of people are against the incredible astronomical sums that are wasted in the US military oneupmanship. The cost of ONE Osprey is 157,900,000 dollars per Osprey - http://www.g2mil.com/V-22costs.htm. The cost PER HOUR for ONE F22 is 40,000 dollars.

Since 2001, the U.S.A. has spent nearly 1,400,000,000,000 dollars on war! http://www.g2mil.com/V-22costs.htm

For what?

Certainly not to maintain world peace!

For this amount of money, we could have solved world energy problems, hunger, improved the quality of life.

But no, it's more important to have destructive weapons.
0

YubaruAug. 04, 2012 - 09:30AM JST

There'll be a demonstration against the Osprey at Ginowan tomorrow.

At last, things are beginning to happen.

Your post 7:01 AM August 4th;

NHK News August 3rd at about 6:25 PM; Due to the threat of the oncoming Typhoon #11, and with the safety of the public in mind, the scheduled demonstration has been cancelled and will be re-scheduled on a future date yet to be determined.
4

globalwatcherAug. 04, 2012 - 09:53AM JST

Japan needs to make up its mind. There are two bottom line choices listed below:

1)Abolish the article 9th of Japanese Consitution and bring back a mandatory drafting to military services to defending yourself.

2)Put up or shut up.

Which one are you willing to go for?
-1

BertieWoosterAug. 04, 2012 - 10:03AM JST

NHK News August 3rd at about 6:25 PM; Due to the threat of the oncoming Typhoon #11, and with the safety of the public in mind, the scheduled demonstration has been cancelled and will be re-scheduled on a future date yet to be determined.

Thanks, Yubaru-san.
-2

YubaruAug. 04, 2012 - 10:16AM JST

Thanks, Yubaru-san.

Aran shimusa!
-4

noriyosan73Aug. 04, 2012 - 10:46AM JST

Power to the people! This deployment is just another example of "military intelligence" working to shoot itself in the foot. The USA should just take all of them to Tuscon, Arizona and park them at DM. Cut the losses and dump them. It would probably be cheaper to sell them for scrap in Japan than take them to the USA.
-1

nandakandamandaAug. 04, 2012 - 12:21PM JST

Now if they just had a third rotor right in the middle, then they could drift down when something goes wrong...
0

DeploreAug. 04, 2012 - 01:23PM JST

Now if they just had a third rotor right in the middle, then they could drift down when something goes wrong...

The aircraft is designed in such a way that in the case of an engine failure, the remaining engine is able to turn both rotors.
4

DaijobootsAug. 04, 2012 - 01:44PM JST

There'll be a demonstration against the Osprey at Ginowan tomorrow. At last, things are beginning to happen.

Protest all you like the only thing you will achieve is damaged relations and awkward interactions. The Osprey will be flying over your head shortly.

the U.S. military tried to win over Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto

What? From everything I've seen the Minister has always been in support of the Osprey and has sought to assure the Japanese public. By the way he said that his flight on board was very stable, and more so than he expected.

Japan has no use for this aircraft.

You obviously haven't heard about its role with disputed islands then. Ah the penny drops. It is the US, not Japan, who will keep China at bay.
-2

noriyosan73Aug. 04, 2012 - 01:55PM JST

Who cares how many engines it has? Who cares about international USA-Japan relations? The lives of the crew are apparently of little value as long as this junk can be dumped in Japan. If the Osprey is such a high tech, high reliable piece of equipment, sell it to Korea, either one, just get it out of Japan so lives are not lost flying something one evolutionary step after the Wright brothers' flight. This is serious.
2

DaijobootsAug. 04, 2012 - 01:59PM JST

I believe the title is incorrect and that there is no delay scheduled. Panetta is still aiming for a early October start. What they have agreed on, once again, is that the Osprey won't fly in Japan until its safety is re-confirmed. Which the reports will.
1

CrazyJoeAug. 04, 2012 - 02:25PM JST

To the east of the United States lies the Atlantic Ocean, to the west lies the Pacific Ocean. The United States need bases in Europe and in Asia for U.S security. The Ospreys will be deployed to Okinawa in October for that purpose including the security of Japan.
-4

BertieWoosterAug. 04, 2012 - 02:33PM JST

The United States doesn't need bases anywhere. It should stop playing "World Policeman" and start some real discussion (i.e. TWO WAY, listening as well as speaking).
-2

noriyosan73Aug. 04, 2012 - 02:45PM JST

Just deploy the newest reject helicopters from the USA military. They are cheaper to use and maintain. Why does the military keep wanting to deploy a propeller aircraft? Does it think the enemy is deaf and operating in the 1950's? "Military Intelligence?" It doesn't exist!
-5

BertieWoosterAug. 04, 2012 - 08:32PM JST

Brother Noriyo,

It's not possible to use the words "military" and "intelligence" in the same sentence, unless, of course, there is a "not" or a question mark in there somewhere.

"Ours not to reason why. Ours but to do or die!"

Duh!
1

NolivingAug. 04, 2012 - 10:35PM JST

The United States doesn't need bases anywhere. It should stop playing "World Policeman" and start some real discussion (i.e. TWO WAY, listening as well as speaking).

It's not playing world policeman, what it is doing is looking after its interests.

They are cheaper to use and maintain. Why does the military keep wanting to deploy a propeller aircraft? Does it think the enemy is deaf and operating in the 1950's? "Military Intelligence?" It doesn't exist!

Well if that is the case why operate any helicopter at all to begin with?

The reason why they want to use the V-22 versus the CH-46, which it is replacing, is because its max and cruise speed is basically double that of the CH-46. It's maxium take off weight is nearly triple that of the CH-46 and it can hold just as many troops as the CH-46. The range of the V-22 is about 3.2 times that of the CH-46 and the V-22 is also better armed than the CH-46.
-5

BertieWoosterAug. 04, 2012 - 10:52PM JST

Brother Noliving,

Well if that is the case why operate any helicopter at all to begin with?

My thoughts exactly.

Why bother with helicopters, nuclear weapons, aircraft carriers, Ospreys, what-have-you?

They're expensive like you wouldn't believe.

And they do NOTHING to aid, assist, help or create peace.

They do the opposite.

We are all living on the same planet.

It's about time we started to act like it!
-1

noriyosan73Aug. 04, 2012 - 11:57PM JST

Military Intelligence: an oxymoron used to describe a fictitious belief that sage decisions are made by incompetent personnel. "Mistakes were made" will be the excuse when the Osprey crashes on civilians. "Show me the money," and everyone will know the real reason for this deployment.
1

Stephen JezAug. 05, 2012 - 01:28AM JST

My thoughts exactly.

Why bother with helicopters, nuclear weapons, aircraft carriers, Ospreys, what-have-you?

They're expensive like you wouldn't believe.

And they do NOTHING to aid, assist, help or create peace.

They do the opposite.

We are all living on the same planet.

It's about time we started to act like it!

We may all be living on the same planet. However, I think it's about time a handful of the users on this site started living in reality. As long as there are humans there will be war, it's human nature.
0

PT24881Aug. 05, 2012 - 02:14AM JST

Eating the after-quake strawberries picked from farms in Fukushima to demonstrate how safe the fruits were... Flying on an Osprey how safe the helipad was.. The jobs at some ministries are indeed highly risky these days !
-3

BertieWoosterAug. 05, 2012 - 11:21AM JST

As long as there are humans there will be war, it's human nature.

Ah, Stephen.

This is "logic" along the lines of "If we were meant to fly, God would have given us wings."
1

Stephen JezAug. 06, 2012 - 07:22AM JST

Ah, Stephen.

This is "logic" along the lines of "If we were meant to fly, God would have given us wings."

You're comparing apples to oranges. I don't like to be all doom and gloom, and I hate the way the US uses fear to sway the masses. But it's an undeniable fact that humans are prone to conflict/war and that won't be going away anytime soon. You can wish for everyone to hold hands and sing in peace and harmony all you want but there will always be those who would rather bring a stick to your peace and love fest and take control.

Then there is another undeniable fact, most of Asia dislikes Japan for what they did during WWII. That wasn't that long ago and there are other nations that would love to get a piece of Japan if it wasn't for the US being their biggest ally. They haven't forgotten things like the rape of Nanking and they won't be forgetting anytime soon. Especially if Japan keeps turning a blind eye to what they do, erasing the facts from their history books, and trying to play the victim.

On a side note, seriously JT mods? You consider this impolite to a user? All the anti-US types can talk down to anyone who has an opposite opinion of them and seldom will they have their posts removed. Yet something like this will get deleted? Bias much?
-3

BertieWoosterAug. 06, 2012 - 10:12AM JST

Stephen, I'm sorry if I caused offence.

I wished to point out that "as long as there are humans there will be war, it's human nature," denies humans the right to decide their own lives. That statement implies that nature or God or some such agency controls the destiny of mankind.

Personally, I do not support this idea.

I believe that we control our own destiny. I believe that there will be wars or no wars depending on what we do and say.

And I am not, by the way, Anti-American.
0

anglootakuAug. 06, 2012 - 12:45PM JST

Just take them for joy flights then they will be alright :P
2

mikemcfly87Aug. 06, 2012 - 12:57PM JST

The lives of the crew are apparently of little value as long as this junk can be dumped in Japan. If the Osprey is such a high tech, high reliable piece of equipment, sell it to Korea, either one, just get it out of Japan so lives are not lost flying something one evolutionary step after the Wright brothers' flight. This is serious

This "hunk of junk" is proven safer than the helicopters it is replacing. What part of this is so difficult to understand?The CH-46/53s are mechanically less safe than the MV-22 replacing it. THAT'S WHY IT'S REPLACING THEM! This is not difficult to comprehend. This is clearly not "one evolutionary step" higher than the Wright Brother's flight. Their aircraft could not VTO, it could not be refueled in air, it could not care dozens of troops, it could not fly many hours in the air... Please stop using ignorant remarks about an airframe so clearly better than the one you compare it to, as well as the one it is replacing...
1

mikemcfly87Aug. 06, 2012 - 01:02PM JST

Why bother with helicopters, nuclear weapons, aircraft carriers, Ospreys, what-have-you?

They're expensive like you wouldn't believe.

And they do NOTHING to aid, assist, help or create peace

So what you're saying is helicopters air craft carriers did NOTHING to help with the 3/11 disaster??? They aided, assisted, helped and created peace in those times! I personally know people affected by the help of these individuals. Yes, slightly expensive, but you know what, tens of thousands more people potentally could have died those days had it not been for the helicopters and aircraft carriers those terrible days. Check yourself Bertie...
0

FadamorAug. 06, 2012 - 11:14PM JST

For this amount of money, we could have solved world energy problems, hunger, improved the quality of life.

...and we could ALL have happy picnics with our My Little Ponies!

Please. So what you're saying is that only ONE country is responsible for solving energy problems, solving world hunger, and improving the quality of life of the WORLD?! So how's the weather in your little fantasy world?