“It will likely include immediate response support for U.S. forces in Japan.”
Japanese media: “Japanese government accepts U.S. proposal and coordinates support”
The U.S. Department of Defense announced on the 4th (local time) that it is discussing with the Japanese government regarding support for earthquake damage on Japan’s Noto Peninsula.
According to the minutes of remarks released by the Department of Defense on its website, U.S. Department of Defense spokesman Patrick Ryder was asked at a regular briefing today whether he was discussing with Japan what kind of support would be needed, and answered “yes.”
“We are in regular contact with the Japanese government in Japan and discussing how we can help if there is a request for assistance,” he said.
In response to a question about what requests were received, a Ryder spokesperson emphasized that they are maintaining close communication with the Japanese government and said, “We are ready to assist in any way that is most helpful to Japan.”
Although he could not reveal specific details, he said, “I think it could include support for the U.S. troops stationed in Japan to respond immediately,” and suggested support from U.S. forces in Japan.
On the 5th, Japan’s Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) also reported that the U.S. and Japanese governments are coordinating cooperation to support earthquakes in Japan’s Noto Peninsula.
The newspaper said, “By accepting the U.S. proposal, we are adjusting our posture of cooperation with the (Japanese) Self-Defense Forces and the timing of the start of (support).”
According to the newspaper, the two governments are envisioning support cooperation in areas such as relief supplies and transportation of victims.
Nikkei said, “There were other countries and regions that applied for support. “The (Japanese) government does not plan to accept (support proposals) from anyone other than the United States at this point,” he said.
A senior Japanese government official told the newspaper, “We will cooperate (with the U.S. military) within the scope of the Self-Defense Forces’ mission.”
Kyodo News previously reported on the 4th that U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said that the U.S. government had asked the Japanese government for support using U.S. troops in Japan in relation to the earthquake on Japan’s Noto Peninsula, and that the Japanese government had accepted.
Ambassador Emanuel explained that U.S. forces in Japan are willing to transport drinking water, groceries, and blankets. He added that U.S. military units responsible for restoring roads, bridges, etc. may be dispatched. The amount of support is estimated at $100,000 (approximately 130 million won), and additional support will be provided if necessary.
The U.S. military carried out a relief operation called ‘Operation Tomodachi (Friend)’ in Japan during the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. We also provided support in cooperation with the Self-Defense Forces during the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake in Japan.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.