Japan Press Weekly

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2011 November 9 - 15 [SDF]

Tanks on public roadways scare residents

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

Japan’s Self-Defense Forces are conducting a series of military exercises this month, following a Japan-U.S. naval drill off the coast of southwestern Kyushu. The Ground SDF began holding its field training exercises (FTX) on November 10. The Ground, Maritime, and Air SDFs will start their integrated FTXs on November 14.

These FTX are focusing on defense of offshore islands and improvement of mobile defense capabilities so that the government can promptly deploy the troops anywhere at any time when necessary. However, such exercises are increasing tensions with neighboring countries in Asia.

Use of public roads, private car ferries and trains

Tanks and armored vehicles taking part in the FTX travelled on public roadways, causing fear to local residents. About 70 vehicles, including 4 Type 90 main battle tanks (MBTs) and numerous jeeps were transported from the GSDF Higashi-Chitose Camp in Hokkaido to the GSDF Hijudai training site in Oita where the FTX will take place. Of them, about 60 combat vehicles (CVs) in a long convoy travelled 30 kilometers on the public roadways late at night, creating a noise level of 107-decibels.

Based on the Defense Ministry’s policy to build a “dynamic defense force” and utilize “private transportation capabilities,” the CVs were transported on a private ferry and on JR cargo trains. The government intends to increase such actions in order to clear the way for the military mobilization of commercial companies.

Type 90 MBT

Type 90 MBTs were introduced in preparation for warfare with the former Soviet Union. They are 50 tons in weight, 8 meters in length, and 3.4 meters in width. They were transported on a private ferry because they could not be fit onto freight trains. Japan still has more than 300 Type 90 MBTs. They are now basically useless, too heavy to be transported, and too big to turn efficiently. On top of all that, these worthless vehicles cost a lot of money to maintain.

The government should abandon all the Type 90 MBTs and reduce the military budget. It should also stop conducting military training exercises causing fear to local residents and threatening their quiet life in the name of self-defense.