So normally politicians never miss an opportunity to exploit a tragedy for political ideals. In some cases it can be beneficial (help is help whatever the motivation).

But it appears the US hasn't done much to help Japan. About 1/2 million people displaced, hungry and cold, yet have we been doing food drops or shipments?

I know the US government gave over $40 million to Haiti, so will we back a long time ally and home of forward deployed military the same way?

The fundraising that was pushed for Haiti in the US raised over one billion dollars, and I doubt Japan will see anything like that. How come there's more concern about propping up a 3rd world country with massive crime, yet it appears that we will just turn our back on the Japanese.

Or are the monies and food being sent that people aren't aware of?

Now the news is all about the newest war, so Japan is out of the spotlight. It appears the tragedy there will be forgotten within the month.

If anyone has any links showing what aid is being given I'd love to see it. But I think this will turn out to be another example of Obama playing favorites.

There is plenty of aid being given! We have ships and helicopters helping with rescue missions and there's been a ton of blankets and other goods sent. Check the military FB pages for info and pictures. I haven't really been keeping an eye on other sources of info.

Seventh Fleet forces continued sustainment of life efforts in support of Operation Tomodachi. A total of 12,750 personnel, 20 ships, and 140 aircraft are participating in Operation Tomodachi. Seventh Fleet forces have delivered more than 126 tons of relief supplies to date.

The USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group to include the cruiser USS Chancellorsville, the destroyer USS Preble, the guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald, USS John S. McCain, USS McCampbell, USS Mustin and USS Curtis Wilbur, along with the cruisers USS Cowpens and USS Shiloh, continue operations at sea north of Sendai.

Helicopters delivered more than 16 tons to 15 different sites today, including isolated areas and remote islands off the coast of Sendai.

F/A-18s conducted two aerial reconnaissance missions using the Shared Reconnaissance Pod (SHARP). To date, they have taken and carefully reviewed over 61,000 images to look for “SOS” or other distress signs, or groups of isolated people. The imagery is being shared with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force.

The USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), to include USS Germantown and USS Harpers Ferry and the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are in the vicinity of Hachinohe, and will relocate to the vicinity of Ofunato and Kamaishi ports to conduct humanitarian relief operations using their embarked heavy-lift helicopters and amphibious craft to carry relief supplies ashore. The ships carry a total of four CH-53E, 12 CH-46, and 2 MH-60 helicopters.

USS Tortuga is operating in the vicinity of Hachinohe. It will conduct a replenishment with the USNS Matthew Perry tomorrow. Matthew Perry is carrying 189 pallets of humanitarian supplies which it will deliver to the Essex ARG and Reagan Strike Group over the coming days.

One P-3 aircraft from VP-4 in Misawa conducted a reconnaissance mission today of area ports to assess the condition and share information with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force.

USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), flagship for the United States Seventh Fleet, is operating in the vicinity of Nagasaki. It will conduct a replenishment with USNS Pecos tomorrow.

All Seventh Fleet ships, including USS George Washington and USS Lassen which are currently conducting maintenance in Yokosuka, are increasing their readiness posture in order to be prepared to conduct any tasking ordered. Carrier Airwing Five fixed wing aircraft have relocated to Guam in order to free ramp space at Naval Air Facility Atsugi.

Families of Seventh Fleet Sailors in Yokosuka and Atsugi have started to depart voluntarily as part of the Military Assisted Departure for Department of Defense personnel.

Please "Like" U.S. 7th Fleet to receive future updates in your news feed.

Copied straight from facebook

Posted By Kendra42 on 03-21-2011 11:37 AM
There is plenty of aid being given! We have ships and helicopters helping with rescue missions and there's been a ton of blankets and other goods sent. Check the military FB pages for info and pictures. I haven't really been keeping an eye on other sources of info.

The impression is the US Navy is staying away from the coast and doing mostly recovery ops (looking for bodies).

With Haiti we sent engineers, seabees, medical ships, COMREL teams and more. For a list look at this:
http://www.navy.mil/haiti/story_archive.asp

Redcross has already come out and said donations are minimal compared to Haiti, and even the government gave $40 million to Haiti. I haven't heard the US government funneling any money or food to Japan. I know base personnel have done stuff, which is great, but when dealing with 1/2 million homeless people it takes a pretty giant response, which is what I haven't seen.

So if anyone has any links it would be great to see if Obama has really said "Oh, tough break Japan, let me go golfing and you guys have a nice day"

Japan doesn't need our money. Haiti is the most impoverished country in the western hemisphere and Japan has the 2nd highest level of foreign reserves of any country in the world.

Japan has talented engineers, doctors, military, etc. They don't need our help to the extant Haiti did/does. Not to mention, the US military (a part of the US government) has many assets dedicated to assisting in the recovery at Japan's beckon call.

Yours is really an apples to oranges comparison and you clearly have a political axe to grind.

But never let the facts get in the way of a flaccid argument. Aren't you the same joker that's been making racist comments about the inferiority of Africans?

This article is from March 14th and we had already dropped 1500 lbs of bread and rice into Shiroishi.

http://www.army.mil/-news/2011/03/1...-to-japan/

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_...03543.html

okjapan,
Thanks for the post. I just hadn't seen or heard of much, and now it's not news worthy. I really think Japan is better to invest in helping rebuild, not just because it's kind, but I think it's best for our bases, financial markets and long term relations.

http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/...here-is-it

From the article
"Over $10 million in financial help has been promised." That's combined planet wide.

It still seems like minimal action on the part of the US and world, especially when the Japanese government has said they would like help (which is highly unusual).

Combine this with evacuations of Americans (which could have been done in a tactful manner) and it shows kind of a "I couldn't care less about you people" attitude.

Hopefully the Japanese remember how the world responds and return the favor in the future.

BTW, if you have Japanese friends that don't live near bases, I suggest you ask them "How many stories have you heard of the US offering help in Japan?" so far I'm 4/4 almost nothing. One person suggested the US government might be angry with Japan.

Gotta love the Pres of our country. His priorities seem right on par with someone that can't see past tomorrow.

Please provide a link showing that Japan has asked for money (as that seems to be the crux of your argument). Japan doesn't need our money. What they do need is emergency assistance in the form of the type of service the US military is currently delivering.

I assure you the US government has already provided in excess of $40M worth of services to Japan.

Have you looked at our JB.com News section? I can't keep up with it because the news is in abundance right now --and the majority of it is about U.S. Disaster relief for Japan. I seriously don't even post it all, I can't. So lately I've been posting more about the voluntary departures and radiation threat because it's the hot-topic.

All our ships are doing is sending helicopter after helicopter for disaster relief (because they can reach evacuees easier than other modes, this is why it's important the Essex is helping up north). And we were the first to land a plane on Sendai airport after the quake and all we've been doing is using the strip for bringing in people to help and relief supplies.

The Blue Ridge started loading relief FOUR HOURS after the initial quake. FOUR HOURS! Pretty much all our ship's from Japan (and some from the States) are up North, and less than 24 hrs later they were ordered to do so.

And I have had the news on 24/7 since the quake. There has been plenty of times where our help has been mentioned (and other countries) --they were even reporting how the States had such extensive coverage of the quake and tsunami on American news. Just today NHK newscasters thanked the United States with the relief efforts and help with the nuclear plants.

I can't talk about money we're sending, but our Pacific fleet and bases (specifically our airfields) are doing an amazing job --their commitment is 100% to Japan right now.

My parents were in Yokosuka 94-04, I was there 03-10. My parents told me it was a huge mess in 95 with Kobe. They had the Indy there and it was all geared up and ready to go. Lots of search dogs, etc. Japanese didn't want their help. I'm glad to see they're trying to get as much help as they can from everyone in this disaster. And I'm glad the navy is helping out so much!

I feel the US is giving Japan exactly what they need right now. How much help would we be if just gave them $40 million and took away our planes, boats, and helicopters? I am pleased with the amount of aid our government has given Japan and will continue to give Japan.

Sadly, I saw on another message board that some people didn't think they should donate to Japan because they are a wealthy country. I think that is a reason why personal donations aren't as high as they were for Haiti. I, of course, commented on that board that no country could handle a disaster of the magnitude Japan is facing on its own... not even the US. I know I have donated and will continue to donate.

First off for the person that can't use Google:
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp...2aad176a4b

Pick your topic, they've requested general help, search and recovery help and reactor help.

I'm going off the combination of not seeing the US do anything significant on TV and speaking with Japanese people that get the same impression.

Red Cross has gotten minimal support.

Haiti was given over $120 million within 4 days.

And it isn't necessarily cash(since that isn't what they need). But do you think food has no dollar value? Yes, when a country send $5 million worth of food, they'll count it as $5 million sent. With 100's of thousands displaced and shelves empty, maybe it would be convenient to have?

Or if the US wants to evacuate dependents, maybe tactfully do it by saying "we ware taking 20,000 American's out of Japan and redirecting the food supplies on those bases to the disaster stricken areas."

And if you're Japanese and were told by the world "For your recent disaster and displacement of 500,000 people we've come together to offer $25 million in aid" you might question how much your allies really care.

Especially an ally that has bases in your country and has a history international incidents from people on those bases. For that I would expect more of an effort from America than what was seen in Haiti.

I fear that I am breaking the rule 'DFTT' but feel compelled to weigh in here. Clearly, Randy8876 is not happy with with what he perceives as an inadequate response by the U.S. He has also alluded to his being a U.S. citizen somewhere in Japan. It is also clear that in his case, "Don't confuse the issue with facts" applies. Are his expectations reasonable? I think not. Is he basing his position on a rational assessment of all information that is available? Obviously not. I conclude that his arguments are either of an emotional basis or perhaps he is just an agent provocateur. As an American and a patriot, I am proud of the effort being made by U.S. Forces in "Operation Tomodachi", American citizens are generously contributing to the American Red Cross which is transferring the funds to directly to the Japanese Red Cross. Americans are also contributing in numerous other fashions. I take a dim view of American Citizens who make derogatory statements about the U.S. while on foreign soil. Randy8876 should be ashamed of himself. Of course he has the right to say what he wishes but I have the right to call him to to accounts for it.
John M. Andresen
Seattle, Wa

Posted By Elizabeth on 03-22-2011 1:56 AM
Have you looked at our JB.com News section? I can't keep up with it because the news is in abundance right now --and the majority of it is about U.S. Disaster relief for Japan. I seriously don't even post it all, I can't. So lately I've been posting more about the voluntary departures and radiation threat because it's the hot-topic.

All our ships are doing is sending helicopter after helicopter for disaster relief (because they can reach evacuees easier than other modes, this is why it's important the Essex is helping up north). And we were the first to land a plane on Sendai airport after the quake and all we've been doing is using the strip for bringing in people to help and relief supplies.

The Blue Ridge started loading relief FOUR HOURS after the initial quake. FOUR HOURS! Pretty much all our ship's from Japan (and some from the States) are up North, and less than 24 hrs later they were ordered to do so.

And I have had the news on 24/7 since the quake. There has been plenty of times where our help has been mentioned (and other countries) --they were even reporting how the States had such extensive coverage of the quake and tsunami on American news. Just today NHK newscasters thanked the United States with the relief efforts and help with the nuclear plants.

I can't talk about money we're sending, but our Pacific fleet and bases (specifically our airfields) are doing an amazing job --their commitment is 100% to Japan right now.

I just wanted to re-post a reply that I liked.

Posted By YokosukaSailor on 03-22-2011 3:08 AM
Clearly, Randy8876 is not happy with with what he perceives as an inadequate response by the U.S.
It is also clear that in his case, "Don't confuse the issue with facts" applies. Are his expectations reasonable? I think not.

Is he basing his position on a rational assessment of all information that is available? Obviously not. I conclude that his arguments are either of an emotional basis or perhaps he is just an agent provocateur.  

Let's see, I asked for links....aka asking to see more examples. Because it appears that the US isn't doing much. Sure, to the family and friends of people on the ships deployed it seems like the US is doing tons, but the family and friends are always fed a stream of info- so that tiny part of the population is not representative of the rest.

And as I said before, go to your Japanese friends on Facebook and ask them, "How many stories have you heard of the US offering help in Japan?". Because their opinion is the one that matters most.

And if you want to talk about facts (which is what I am after), try posting them, preferably links. America ended up funneling over a billion dollars to Haiti- that public and private combined. The US government funneled $40 million. I suppose you think the Japan response is adequate, but if that's the case I hope you think Haiti was a superb waste.

Posted By YokosukaSailor on 03-22-2011 3:08 AM
American citizens are generously contributing to the American Red Cross which is transferring the funds to directly to the Japanese Red Cross. 

Red Cross has already said donations are tiny compared to Haiti. There are some Americans generously donating, but the fact remains it's been pretty small for the most part.

Posted By YokosukaSailor on 03-22-2011 3:08 AM
I take a dim view of American Citizens who make derogatory statements about the U.S. while on foreign soil. Randy8876 should be ashamed of himself. Of course he has the right to say what he wishes but I have the right to call him to to accounts for it.

So it's derogatory to notice facts?

We're talking about a country that has the relocation of military bases as one of the top debate issues in politics. To think for a moment that Japan doesn't deserve a more significant response than Haiti shows a complete lack of touch with reality.

Do you think setting up a  few field kitchens and serving food 18 hours a day to the homeless there would be a significant step? Maybe use Marines from Okinawa do it to provide a positive image and try to wash away some of the numerous international incidents we've had? I would bet giving hot food to tens of thousands of people for a few weeks can provide a lasting positive impression.

I don't see how any of these expectations could be seen as unreasonable, but I suppose someone like you can find a way.

Well Randy I really didn't expect to sway you over by reason but I am content to let the readers come to their own conclusions. So far, I don't see anyone rallying in your support. By all means continue to distort and deny. Your every utterance serves to further erode your credibility ( not that any ever existed in the first place).
John M. Andresen
Seattle, Wa

The US military should be commended for their support of Japan during this crisis.

My wife, who is Japanese, has heard from friends and family in Yokahama, Okayama, and Fukushima that Japan is very fortunate to host the US military bases as the support has been top notch. Apparently, there is a lot of good press in Japan about it every day.

Don't let a few rabble rousers get you down. Your work has been outstanding and is greatly appreciated by the Japanese. You've delivered on what they have asked you to do.