Japan tells US it will stop Afghan refueling mission

AFP, via SpaceWar.com ^ | Oct 15th, 2009 | AFP

[gaijin]

Japan has told the United States it will end a naval refueling mission [in the Indian Ocean] that supports the war in Afghanistan, a top defence official said...Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who took office last month, has said he wants "more equal" relations with the United States and that he opposes plans to build a new US air base on the southern island of Okinawa...

[gaijin]

See? Our allies love us sooooo much more now...!!! I'll bet the SK'ers are also going gaga over OUR Dear Leader too..!

[TaMoDee]

AND SO IT BEGINS! THANKS, ZERO!

[the anti-liberal]

Sounds to me like they recognize a weakling when they see one, and are going to wrangle him (it, 0) for all they can.

[cmsgop]

Yup, and not just him either.....

[Las Vegas Ron]

We’ve lost love, respect and TRUST

[MaxMax]

They don't want to be blamed for Obama’s failures, because that's what RATs do so well.

[Marine_Uncle]

The world recognizes the true nature of this neighborhood organizer. They know he will not only open the doors to the hen house for the foxes but will freely set up tables and give all the eggs away.

[RJL]

The world recognizes the true nature of this neighborhood organizer. They know he will not only open the doors to the hen house for the foxes but will freely set up tables and give all the eggs away.

Opening the doors and giving away the store is great fun until the shelves are empty. Then Obama and the liberals won't be able to figure out why hard working people aren't rushing to restock the shelves with hard earned products for Obama & Co. to give away.

[WellyP]

Will Obama ask L’l Kim to drop a couple of missiles close to Japan in exchange for some more freebees from the US?

[Logical me]

This pig King Obama is one he!! of a dude. The world is looking at this vacationing nitwit and just can't side with such a weak piece of dung any longer.

[12Gauge687]

I guess Murtha’s idea of moving everyting to Okinawa didn’t meet with too much approval either.

[Zhang Fei]

The new premier appears to be a combination of panda hugger and Shintaro Ishihara. I don't think Ogabe had anything to do with relations souring. Hatoyama has one thing in common with Ogabe - they both hate Uncle Sam.

[BlackVeil]

The Japanese seem to want to shift their loyalities - and maybe expand their own influence in Asia.

[BlueDragon]

As much as I dislike the present administration, I don't think this can be laid at Obama's feet entirely. In fact, hardly at all...

There is a "new" political party in charge in Japan. There has also long been grievance among some there, concerning our military bases in Japan.

Part of the political plank the party of Hatoyama ran on, made mention on some of this long simmering 'difference of opinion' among the Japanese populace concerning the relationship Japan has with the U.S., and the stated desire to amend the terms of the relationship.

It doesn't matter if we think it's right, or wrong. If they say they are wanting more equal standing, we should do what we can to accommodate them, as much as possible without hurting the long term security interests of the U.S., Japan, and other allies in the region.

It's easier to keep the friends one has, then to go find new ones (in that neighborhood particularly). A "friend" lost or offended, is harder won (back into friendship) than well a defended, walled city...

[kevslisababy]

That was sort of my line of thinking too.

First there was the French saying not one more body will they send, now the Japanese pulling out support (I think there have already been other nations mumbling and grumbling too).

If obama dithers long enough, everyone will have gone home and he will blame it on our allies.

[Marine_Uncle]

Growing numbers of Americans are starting to have those thoughts you delineate.

[pallis]

Weakness invites scorn and conflict in foreign relations, something Obama would know nothing about.

[italianquaker]

odumbos fault

[AmericanInTokyo]

Blame is not in Tokyo. Blame falls squarely on Washington, D.C. That is, post January 2009 Washington D.C. In other words, this is the reaction we are going to get from allies around the world as they slip away from alliances with the USA over Obama, one by one, realizing he is highly unreliable. They will not come back to the fold until he has been removed from the White House by the People, elections, or his ownself due to mental breakdown.

If there is any anger to be fomented, it is necessary to be directed at Obama and not Japan, in my opinion.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Coming from your traditional anti-Japan position, and pro-Communist China stance, which has been on FR for awhile it seems, I would understand that position. Actually, rather 反日, wouldn't you say?