Our last day in Tokyo was spent to the south at Yokosuka Navy base. For someone of my political leanings, this was not the easiest day, but in retrospect I learned alot, even if it was uncomfortable. The military people we met were very nice on a personal level, even if our ideas about larger issues such as military spending, Iraq, and percieved threats are at odds. We had a tour of the base with a Commander, and heard from two Admirals about the role of Yokosuka in Asia, and how they percieve China and North Korea from a Navy perspective, as well as defense agreements between Japan and the U.S.
After lunch, which was very American, we heard from the U.S. Ambassador to Japan. The Ambassador is an old friend of Mr. Bush, so his political perspectives were a bit interesting. My favorite moment was when he commented on the perception that the U.S. wants everyone to be like us. He stated that he did not think everyone should be like us, but rather that the U.S. only wants for all people to select their own leaders through democracy. A facinating comment considering the U.S. involvement in instating puppet leaders all over the world, and also considering our recent military activities abroad. I also enjoyed his statement, "democracies do not go to war with each other because people have the chance to choose their own government." So, why is it then that considering our historic status as a democracy that the U.S. has such a large military? And what's today's statistic on how many U.S. citizens approve of the current war? I am sorry to report that I was not selected in the question and answer period, and that the Ambassador only accepted a few questions. Facinating perspective on the world, though.
After our political talk we spent the rest of the afternoon touring the U.S. ship the Blue Ridge, and then a Japanese Naval ship located across the harbor. The sailors on the ship were very hospitable and interested in discussing what life is like at sea.
On the Japanese ship.
We left Yokosuka in the late afternoon and headed over to Yokohama, the Chinatown area of Tokyo for dinner and some free time.
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