 SDF manipulates Japanese people as part of its Iraq operation An NHK program broadcast on January 29 revealed that the Ground Self-Defense Force deployed in Iraq is carrying out manipulative information operations targeted on the Japanese people to win their support for the Iraq operation. The program reporting on the GSDF in Iraq in the past year showed that the troops followed the example of the Japanese Imperial Army's operations when they invaded northern China during the Second World War. That is, the GSDF in Iraq upheld as a model the Imperial Army that gave money, goods, and jobs to the people of China under their occupation, in an attempt to appease, stabilize, and subdue the occupied people. Yamaguchi Noboru, chief of the GSDF research laboratory, justified the operations, saying, "The former army had many good points." The NHK program also revealed that the information operations for the GSDF Iraq operation has "the Japanese people" as a target on their list. Before the fourth SDF dispatch to Iraq, the GSDF clearly stated that they carry out information operations to get the Japanese people's support. This shows that the SDF is committed to manipulating public opinion in Japan to favor SDF deployment, and this is what they are carrying out in Iraq (under the name of "humanitarian assistance") is all about. (end) |