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U.S.-Japan Alliance Manga: Part II

The U.S. military has released the second part of its series of comics that explain the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance using cute manga characters:

The manga, titled “Our Alliance — A Lasting Partnership,” focuses on the two main characters Arai Anzu, a Japanese girl, and Usa-kun, a boy visiting Japan from the U.S. The two characters explore and learn about the U.S. military in Japan. The new volume focuses on the role of U.S. Marines in Japan.

The remaining two issues, which will be written in Japanese like the first two, will be released in the coming months, according to a USFJ news release.

You can read it in Japanese here.

The manga provides a simple explanation of the historical circumstances that led to the alliance, as well as the role and duties of the Marines in Japan. On one page, the main functions of Okinawa’s major bases are explained:

Camp Hansen, Camp Courtney, Camp Foster, and the Ie Jima Auxiliary Airfield are represented by cute little characters. The controversial Futenma Air Station just gets a faceless helicopter.

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16 comments - What do you think? Posted by James - December 15, 2010 at 7:59 am

Categories: Foreigners in Japan, Otaku & Anime Tags:

batteryport

on the first picture, why is there a flag of the USSR?

Did the U.S. military get the memo that the USSR went kaput almost 20 years ago?

http://www.japanprobe.com James

“The manga provides a simple explanation of the historical circumstances that led to the alliance…”
helical

In Soviet Russia, article doesn’t read YOU!!!!

oro_Dog

someone got owned…

Spike

It’s talking about the historical circumstances that led to the alliance as James mentions in the article. The flag is quite relevant in this case.
jcpb

I preferred pixel-maritan’s version better.
Terry

without North Korea, there would be no need for American bases in Japan. Seems like the US needs North Korea to keep its bases in East Asia. That might be the real alliance.

JS

American bases were there before NK was any kind of threat. Even if NK wasn’t there the American bases would be. Why? Because despite any denial the U.S. is imperialistic and will never allow its sphere of influence to shrink. Once the U.S. gets a military foothold in a country it will never give it up.

http://www.billowykimono.com Senor Science

“American bases were there before NK was any kind of threat”

So I take it a potential cold war flash point was not dangerous?

“Because despite any denial the U.S. is imperialistic and will never allow its sphere of influence to shrink. Once the U.S. gets a military foothold in a country it will never give it up.”

Funny, I guess all those base closures since the 1990′s are a fabricated lie from the American Imperialists.

misha

“Funny, I guess all those base closures since the 1990’s are a fabricated lie from the American Imperialists.”

They did close a couple. But there are plenty more still left to close:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_military_bases

kujirakira

There is a reason almost all the forces are concentrated in Okinawa; and it’s not the socio-political reasons some imply. It’s pure strategic value.
If DPRK was the threat, US presence would be concentrated on the Sea of Japan — alas, I can’t think of a single base on the Sea of Japan. In the North you have Misawa and Yokota to counter Russian air power. In the South you have Iwakuni to provide air support to troops already on the ground in Korea.

The infantry in Okinawa and their helicopter support is in a central location to respond to Taiwan or reinforce what is already in Korea.

Next time look at a map. It’s not rocket science.

Fat Tony

Interesting that Taiwan is not on the “historical” map in the manga.

Comment

“without North Korea, there would be no need for American bases in Japan.”

Yeah, China plays no role in this whatsoever.

misha

Anyone else think it’s slightly unfortunate that Japan gets represented by a girl? I know gender equality is all the rage these days, but I wonder if that could be sending the wrong message. I think some people will see it as something that highlights the superior-subordinate relationship between the two countries. We all know it’s true in real life, but I doubt that would be a real selling point of this manga.

I reckon it would’ve worked better if they were both guys.

helical

You obviously have no idea how anime and manga works these days …

Princess

@Senor Science

You are aware that all the countries the Americans have bases in have consented to it, yes? The vast majority of bases are mere supply depots with less than 30 men. Only in Japan, South Korea, and Germany dose the US have any sort of real presence-excluding Afghanistan and Iraq of course. The US pays (and quite well too) for the right to place supply camps in countries in most countries, it has nothing to do with this ‘sphere of inflation’ but simply an agreement between two governments. I don’t see you contesting the agreements made over beef, corn, or wheat between the US and other countries.

In Japan 72% of those polled in 2009 appreciated the US bases, and while only 26% of those on Okinawa felt the same, the large majority would rather have troop levels reduced in Okinawa than have them removed altogether. I tend to agree with troop reductions, if China wanted to take Okinawa or the surrounding sea, no single division of marines are going to stop them. The island is a very strategic area that allows for control of many major shipping lanes by the US airforce and in the event of war those shipping lanes will be vital to block, and ensure Japan and Korea can receive supplies from the US.

I find you’re “Imperialist” comment to be humorous at best, but dose not warrant any real discourse as it is sheer lunacy.

U.S.-Japan Alliance Manga: Part II

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