> Japanese government reports carry little weight, because its officials are prohibited from entering US bases..[for] inspections. The problem.. is the #USJapan #StatusOfForcesAgreement signed in 1960. “Thanks to this agreement, the American military does not need to clean up contaminated land,” he said. “They do not need to allow Japanese officials to inspect the bases.” In contrast, in the United States “you can go to #EPA web pages and find out what bases are contaminated with what.” #SOFA

We honor leaders who come together
To build an alliance that lasts forever
Discussing tensions, planning for deterrence
The U.S. and Japan form a strong coalition
With troops and missiles, they ensure the stability
As they prepare against the growing power of China's military

HASHTAGS

#biden #kishida #usjapan #china #military #ode #poetry

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/13/us/politics/biden-kishida-japan.html

Interesting. Discussion of some documents in which #TokugawaNariaki and close associates discussed possible methods for murdering #CommodorePerry.

"Maybe we'll get him and his men really drunk, and then separate their heads from their bodies."

Unclear to me whether this suggests they ever came anywhere close to thinking of actually doing so, vs. merely discussing the possibility.

#bakumatsu #history #assassination #USJapan #earlymodern #earlymodernjapan

https://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/23413731/