@jonreinsch.bsky.social
My main focus is Japan, and in particular, US bases in Okinawa—because as John Lewis said, "When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up." Read some of my old articles here: https://shingetsunewsagency.com/author/jon/
On the 14th, the sit-in protest against construction of a new base in Henoko, Nago City, reached 8,000 days since it began at the “Beach Tent” next to Henoko Fishing Port. About 120 citizens held a rally in front of the tent
www.okinawatimes.co.jp/articles/-/1...
and vowed to continue their activities until the government abandons plans for the new base.
I was there on day 3852, in November 2014.
On the 14th, the sit-in protest against construction of a new base in Henoko, Nago City, reached 8,000 days since it began at the “Beach Tent” next to Henoko Fishing Port. About 120 citizens held a rally in front of the tent
www.okinawatimes.co.jp/articles/-/1...
we also want (the Takaichi administration) to make diplomatic efforts to prevent accidental clashes from escalating into war."
Insiders fear Japan’s military buildup goal is unrealistic
"smoldering anxiety that policies will be advanced without regard for the realities on the ground"
Defense Ministry official: "The front line is exhausted. Alongside strengthening our defense,
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
To get around Japan's archaic legal requirement that married partners take a shared surname, people are seeking partners who already have the same surname. The right-wing LDP should be ashamed to be driving people to such desperate measures.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
"Since the start of the military operation, US President Donald Trump’s remarks have been notably erratic, perhaps out of concern over reactions from markets and voters."
Signs of Trump's cognitive decline are becoming unmistakable.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
"Poll: No recovery in life for 40% of evacuees since nuclear accident"
But don't worry; it will never happen again (if you go by the Japanese government's attitude).
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
"With No Mention of US-Israeli Aggression, UN Security Council Condemns Iranian Retaliation"
The UN will be useless until the Security Council is eliminated.
www.commondreams.org/news/un-secu...
"Japan urges Iran to exercise restraint over war with US, Israel"
When will Japan urge *US* to exercise restraint? You know, the country that started the war by slaughtering roughly 170 people, mostly schoolgirls.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
"3-party split: Chudo merger collapses ahead of local elections"
Good. Junk the whole Chudo nonsense. If CDP has any virtues, they vanish when it allies with Komeito.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Hegseth went into this war scoffing at "stupid rules of engagement" and allies "who wring their hands and clutch their pearls," and now you want me to believe they hit the school with three separate precision munitions due to a "targeting mistake"?
www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/u...
"VOX POPULI: Is Japan truly prepared to undo its 'final bastion' of pacifist ideals?"
I'm afraid so, but I hope that the author and like-minded others will keep up the good fight.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
to lose public trust & support."
You can't lose what you don't have.
Expert group: Fukushima 2051 decommission goal ‘impossible’
"It warned that clinging to the 2051 deadline only to abandon it later will cause the government, TEPCO, & the advising Nuclear Damage Compensation and Decommissioning Support Organization
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
"Memorial held for 100,000 killed in Tokyo firebombing"
The US attack was surely among the most savage war crimes in history.
Yamaguchi Yoko, 83: “People who know war firsthand are disappearing one after another. But we must never stop praying for peace.”
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
of when, in 2011, the Okinawa Defense Bureau head was asked, when will the Environmental Impact Assessment for the #Henoko base be delivered, and replied, "Would you give a prior warning when you are about to rape someone?"
Source: www.wsj.com/articles/BL-...
Pre-dawn missile delivery met with protests at Kumamoto base
"Shortly after midnight, as large vehicles entered the facility, cries of 'No missiles!' and 'Stop the deployment!' rose from the crowd."
Bringing in the missiles under cover of night reminds me
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
in the second most earthquake-prone country on earth.
"Japan should use nuclear plants to offset Iran crisis, opposition party head says"
Rather than demanding an end to this terrible war, Tamaki sees it as a great opportunity–days from the anniversary of the Fukushima Daiichi meltdowns–to advance nuclear power
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
"Nago mayor lodges protest after US Marine chopper lands on baseball field"
Good, but Mayor Toguchi's quiet support for the #Henoko base will (if they can actually build it) ensure that US Marine choppers will plague his city far into the future.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
see diplomacy as just for sissies.
State control planned for munition plants to supply SDF
"[Experts] also warn that GOCO will promote [PM] Takaichi’s risky push for a military buildup without developing a substantial diplomatic strategy."
The Takaichi crowd may, like Hegseth,
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
VOX POPULI: The pitfalls of self-righteous journalists, prosecutors
"I still remember my mentor’s words of admonition: 'You can’t help being disliked. But never become a scoundrel.'”
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
“The last time a country ‘unconditionally surrendered’ to the US was after we dropped atomic bombs on Japan.”
Yes, but the atomic bombs were secondary to Soviet entry into the war in bringing about Japan's surrender. See: apjjf.org/Tsuyoshi-Has...
www.commondreams.org/news/trump-i...
"Shohei Ohtani hits a grand slam at the World Baseball Classic after putting on a show in [batting practice]"
Yowza!
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
"US helicopter [emergency] lands at #Okinawa baseball field during youth practice"
"Defense Ministry's Okinawa bureau told the prefecture, citing the US side, that the helicopter was not carrying hazardous materials or weapons."
IT was the weapon.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
"Hiroshima City U. launches online digital archive of art and peace research materials"
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
"Japan ruling party OKs bill to set up new body to boost intel capabilities"
You realize, of course, that the CIA is spying on you. But you don't mind, do you? After all, the CIA midwifed the LDP's birth.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
