Reflection and its affect on US/Japanese relations

[DougP]

After reading the multitude threads we have concerning the lock down/ period of reflection I've been wondering something. How has this affected our current relationship and how will it affect it in the near future. Not just from the stand point of Okinawan, Japanese and Military officials but from the regular Japanese citizens and US service members. Has this only made the sting worse by gestating feeling of disgust and hatred. After reading through all the posts it has been made quite clear that there is definitely some animosity growing towards the Okinawans and towards the military food chain.

I wasn't sure if this period of reflection was ever going to be just that; a period of reflection. It seemed more like a time out with finger pointing and head shaking than a look into the differing cultures and how to make the bond between them stronger. Has this acted more like a wedge than an adhesive? So there were a few classes about sexual assault and rape prevention. Maybe the old slides about Okinawan culture from the new comer's brief were dusted off and played. What has happened in the mean time? Have there been any more classes or cultural awareness briefs? Do those even help?

What seems to be a problem here is all the misunderstandings going on between the two entities. Many people here feel its the American government that lines the pockets of all the base employees(when that's not the case) There are a lot of locals out there that may not know anything about the different branches of service and other components that exist. The fact that an Australian acquaintance of mine can be mistaken for a Marine even though he doesn't give me the confidence that everyone out here is in the know. Especially when his lack of a high and tight or clean shaven appearance and an obvious accent doesn't give him away. I would think that knowing a thing or two about the Japanese workforce that practically operates most of the facilities enjoyed on base would be paramount. As well as the Okinawans knowing a thing or two about the military living among them and working out of their backyard. Maybe videos and "death by powerpoint" are not the answer.

So how do you view the overall effectiveness of this "period of reflection"? Is it going to improve relations or perhaps set them a step or two backwards?

[okisteve]

After reading the multitude threads we have concerning the lock down/ period of reflection I've been wondering something. How has this affected our current relationship and how will it affect it in the near future.

I wasn't sure if this period of reflection was ever going to be just that; a period of reflection. It seemed more like a time out with finger pointing and head shaking than a look into the differing cultures and how to make the bond between them stronger. Has this acted more like a wedge than an adhesive? So there were a few classes about sexual assault and rape prevention. Maybe the old slides about Okinawan culture from the new comer's brief were dusted off and played. What has happened in the mean time? Have there been any more classes or cultural awareness briefs? Do those even help?

So how do you view the overall effectiveness of this "period of reflection"? Is it going to improve relations or perhaps set them a step or two backwards?


Good points Doug. I have to say I am surprised that there was no real effort to "dust off the culture slides" as you say. Seems like a lot better use could have been made of the down time, even if might be slightly propaganda-ish.

[Gadget]

I'm guessing that what's said here on JU is probably very similar to conversations being held in every home and office on base...

Multiply the anger vented here by tens of thousands and the potential to have this whole "reflection" blow up in someones face is very real if this is dragged out IMO.

I hope for ya'lls sake (and mine cause I want a gyro!) this thing ends soon.

[Tony Stacks]

All I have to say is the lockdown is PURE BULLSHIT!

[Craig_Sunabe]

I don't feel anything negative towards the Okinawans one bit. I do feel a lot of anger towards Military leaders. After all, their inability to train and discipline their people is the cause of the problem.

It's very irritating that everyone from military leaders to the media uses terms like "Service Members" and "Military Personnel"... and yet civilians seem to have been grouped together with the military, during this restriction order.

[Kye77]

As of now, I feel no animosity towards either Okinawans or Military Personnel. I do not know if I will feel differently if this situation were to be prolonged. The only thing I know for certain is that my palettes are YEARNING for lots of OFF BASE food.

[jansob]

It's a huge mistake. It gave us time to reflect on the fact that the command we work for will do nothing to stand up for us, nothing to explain the relative rarity of the crimes in a population of tens of thousands. It confirms the worst stereotypes of foreigners and SOFA personnel, and sets a precedent. The next time a crime happens (because the standard now is utter perfection), this kind of lockdown will be the MINIMUM response. And they will now be able to claim it's not enough, because we are so bad that even house arrest did not stop crime.

It gave us time to reflect on the fact that all the attempts to make Okinawan friends, learn the language, participate in neighborhood life, all the shopping, all the volunteer work...meant absolutely nothing. Erased. Only the rare crimes matter.

It gave me time to make some decisions. I'll shop on the local economy as little as possible, drop the volunteer work I was doing, and have as little to do with the locals as possible in the time I have left here.

To the inevitable flood of people complaining that I'm being unfair to locals who don't hate us, I can only say the SOMEONE elected these politicians, and the protests are not a handful of people. I'd also ask them to post some pics of the counter-demonstrations....oh, that's right, there weren't any.

Bitter? Damn right I'm bitter.

[Kye77]

It's a huge mistake. It gave us time to reflect on the fact that the command we work for will do nothing to stand up for us, nothing to explain the relative rarity of the crimes in a population of tens of thousands. It confirms the worst stereotypes of foreigners and SOFA personnel, and sets a precedent. The next time a crime happens (because the standard now is utter perfection), this kind of lockdown will be the MINIMUM response. And they will now be able to claim it's not enough, because we are so bad that even house arrest did not stop crime.

It gave us time to reflect on the fact that all the attempts to make Okinawan friends, learn the language, participate in neighborhood life, all the shopping, all the volunteer work...meant absolutely nothing. Erased. Only the rare crimes matter.

It gave me time to make some decisions. I'll shop on the local economy as little as possible, drop the volunteer work I was doing, and have as little to do with the locals as possible in the time I have left here.

To the inevitable flood of people complaining that I'm being unfair to locals who don't hate us, I can only say the SOMEONE elected these politicians, and the protests are not a handful of people. I'd also ask them to post some pics of the counter-demonstrations....oh, that's right, there weren't any.

Bitter? Damn right I'm bitter.

I second your post! When someone says exactly what I have in my thoughts but fail to articulate it, it just lights up the light bulb in my mind.

Why, why, why do human beings love to concentrate on the bad & forgo all the good in life? Every person in the world, be it any nationality is unique in their own way. This whole issue was about a man & his perverse ways but it escalated to a national outcry. Now, it is not about the man but WHERE the man is from.

Are they truly looking to seek justice for the senseless girl? Have they given the man ANY fairness? Not that I think he's innocent but their perspective & opinion of his "crime" was set because of who he is & who she is. That is what all this is about. WHO HE IS & WHO SHE IS. :(