(Something wrong on the Microsoft billboard?; A Kasumigaseki Street, Tokyo)INEVITABLE WAR, IMPOSSIBLE WAR, & HOLY WAR
Now a Q&A session between ministers of the Hatoyama Cabinet and Upper House members of the Japanese National Diet is going on as televised nationwide from Tokyo.
A lawmaker of the Democratic Party of Japan (a ruling party) asked Foreign Minister Mr. Katsuya Okada what the minister thinks about the fact that the average life expectancy in Afghanistan is just 44 years.
Indeed, though Japan has already contributed two billion dollars and more to promotion of peace and welfare in Afghanistan, more efforts seem to be needed since only one of every four Afghans can read and write.
SECTION I: COSTS OF U.S. MARINES IN OKINAWA
There are many U.S. military bases on the Okinawa Island of Japan.
The mainland Okinawa has a size (about 1200 square kilometers) almost equal to that of all Los Angeles City or all New York City including its huge harbor, while total U.S. military bases account for more than 20% of the gross area of Okinawa Prefecture.
Let's check how the U.S. military office in Okinawa shows their respect to this island of great battles during WWII.
(Click to enlarge.)http://www.okinawa.usmc.mil/About%20Okinawa/Okinawa%20Map%20Page.html
The most controversial agenda now pestering the Japanese Government is whether they should raise an issue of relocation of a U.S. Marine base in Okinawa when President Mr. Barack Obama come to Tokyo coming Friday.
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Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
May 1, 2006
United States-Japan Roadmap for Realignment Implementation
...
1. Realignment on Okinawa
(a) Futenma Replacement Facility (FRF)• The United States and Japan will locate the FRF in a configuration that combines the Henoko-saki and adjacent water areas of Oura and Henoko Bays, including two runways aligned in a "V"-shape, each runway having a length of 1,600 meters plus two 100-meter overruns. The length of each runway portion of the facility is 1,800 meters, exclusive of seawalls (see attached concept plan dated April 28, 2006). This facility ensures agreed operational capabilities while addressing issues of safety, noise, and environmental impacts.
• In order to locate the FRF, inclusive of agreed support facilities, in the Camp Schwab area, necessary adjustments will be made, such as reconfiguration of Camp Schwab facilities and adjacent water surface areas.
• Construction of the FRF is targeted for completion by 2014.
• Relocation to the FRF will occur when the facility is fully operationally capable.
• Facility improvements for contingency use at Air SDF bases at Nyutabaru and Tsuiki related to replacement of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma capabilities will be made, as necessary, after conducting site surveys and before MCAS Futenma is returned.
• Requirements for improved contingency use of civilian facilities will be examined in the context of bilateral contingency planning, and appropriate arrangements will be made in order to realize the return of MCAS Futenma.
• In principle, the construction method for the FRF will be landfill.
• The USG does not have a plan to operate fighter aircraft from this facility.
(b) Force Reductions and Relocation to Guam
...
http://www.usfj.mil/Documents/UnitedStates-JapanRoadmapforRealignmentImplementation.pdf
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This (simple or easy) statement of agreement lacks specifications of relocation costs for the Futenma Marine base, which is a key hidden issue for the Japanese Government.
Most importantly, the need for imminent move of the Marines Futenma installation is manifested in pictures posted in the following Japanese Web page:
http://www.news.janjan.jp/government/0911/0911082873/1.php
SECTION II: WARS AND JUDAISM
The following are some examples how the Old Testament is associated with war:
Psalms 18:34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Psalms 27:3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
Psalms 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Psalms 55:21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
Psalms 68:30 Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.
Psalms 120:7 I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.
Psalms 140:2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.
Psalms 144:1 Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
Proverbs 20:18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
Proverbs 24:6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
This is the world and the era where war is inevitable business. Yet, God of Isralites or Hebrews never told His people to avoid war unconditionally.
God of Isralites or Hebrews let His people go to war if they thought it was inevitable for their survival and independece.
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Late last night, a cable TV channel presented a documentary film on Mother Teresa's activities in Calcutta, India.
As you know, she died several days after the death of Princess Diana in September 1997.
It might be a mirabilia that there was no war between the two, though both were very famous ladies in the late 20th century.
Truly, in Japanese, they say that a rich person never has a fight with others (over trifles).
Yet, it is always poor youths that die in war in the Christian world and the Islamic world in addition to the Judaistic world.
Mar 11:8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.
Mar 11:9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
Mar 11:10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.