Japan bans pork, alcohol for troops in Iraq, urges mustache growing

[dArKeR]

The men have mustaches and the women cover their hair with headscarves. Alcohol is banned on their base, and pork-eating is off-limits.

The Japanese troops headed to Iraq have their orders: blend in with the locals.

Tokyo this week began sending ground troops for a humanitarian mission in Iraq. With concerns high at home that the soldiers will be targeted for attack, military leaders are urging their ranks to be as inconspicuous as possible.

http://www.etaiwannews.com/Asia/2004/02/06/1076034714.htm

[kalian]

1. "Blend in with the locals..."

ROFLMAO.

[oneighty]

2. Why you laugh boy san?

Hee! Hee!

180

[gbwarming]

5. "Everyone who serves there must respect Islamic culture and religion."

"We studied Iraq's customs, culture and religion as much as we could," Defense Agency Director Shigeru Ishiba told Parliament yesterday. "Everyone who serves there must respect Islamic culture and religion."


Nothing wrong with that!

[oneighty]

10. Yup!

Just as we respected Japan's culture when we occupied their country.

180

[rincons land]

15. when in Rome....

n/t

[PsychoDad]

19. They better not blend in so much...

That they get smoked by american soldiers :(

[codegreen]

3. heard they also have hired Iraqi guards for their troops

this is something straight out of Monty Python

[Neshanic]

4. The "Hello Kitty" gun holsters will give them away.

[Bronco69]

11. ROFLMAO!

:-)

[madrchsod]

6. i noticed there wasn`t any

mention of anime porn.."bondage fairies" in iraq?

[snoochie]

Think they'll suffer fewer attacks?

Seems like they're trying to avoid offending Iraqis. Makes sense to me.

[burrowowl]

7. Don't know if the mustache

will help them to look like the natives.
Yes, I posted the bit about them hiring protectors a few days ago.

[SoCalDem]

8. Hello Kitty, pork, mustaches.. too funny

I do commend them for at least trying to keep a lowprofile.. I think their higher-ups would be happy to find them a motel somewhere to sit out their time there.. They are trying to keep them alive :)

[dArKeR]

9. At least someone in the Japanese Gov. is thinking and trying! More than

one could say for AWOL!

[Lisa]

12. well, at least they're trying ...

I'm of Japanese extraction, and none of the guys in my family can grow a mustache worth a darn! But even if Iraqi onlookers fall over laughing at the results ... that might spread enough goodwill to pay off.

The other thing that might help ... I bet a lot of people in Iraq know their 20th century history, e.g. the part about Japan being occupied after the war. Perhaps they will be more sympathetic towards a country that knows what they're going through?

[Gin]

13. the heck with the mustaches....why not wear white turbans?

gin

[daleo]

27. They might equally remember Japan invaded several countries

In pursuit of empire, and wonder whether they are starting to repeat their mistake, albeit with tiny baby steps.

[Skittles]

14. I c an understand it for safety reasons, but it truly SUCKS

so much for freedom of religion.

[PsychoDad]

17. I don't see it that way....

They are not being asked to practice the religion, simply to take care to not do anything outwardly offensive to Islamic culture or religion. They are only being asked to show respect...

I would agree with you, if on the other hand:
1. They had to declare that there is no god but God, and that Muhammid was his messenger.
2. They had to be circumsized.
3. They were required to pray 5 times a day.
4. And other things muslims are required to do.

Asking them to abstain from pork and alcohol shouldn't interfere with any religion I could think of..

[Skittles]

28. I disagree

I like ham and alcohol - why should I be required by SOMEONE ELSE'S RELIGION to abstain? Like I said, I understand why they are doing it but please do NOT tell me it doesn't SUCK.

[9215]

16. Back off!! AAAh So!

;)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

18. Our stereotype images of Middle-Easterners are

blazing away here!

Admittedly, Iraq is less obvious in its racial diversity than the US; but this doesn't mean that you won't find Iraqis with far-eastern features or even Iraqis who speak Japanese.

I think their strategy is admirable, and I suspect it will be appreciated by the Iraqi people.

[PsychoDad]

20. Well said.

I also hope it is understood and appreciated by the Iraqi people

[Kinkistyle]

21. Anybody want to roll out any more racist stereotypes?

Looks like its bubbling out of the ground like a broken sewer pipe. How about stuff like "riding camels" and taping their eyes wider open.

I'm fairly disgusted with the behavior in this thread. x(

[GabysPoppy]

23. Amen

n/t necessary

[9215]

26. Hey, I said: "Back off.....aaaah so!"

;)

[fujiyama]

22. What the hell...

has Kouzumi got his country into?

If I remember correctly a lot of Japanese opposed this stupid war and their support of the occupation.

[trof]

24. Go ahead. Call me a redneck. Call me a racist.

But this is one of the funniest things I've seen in quite a while.

I worked for a Japanese airline for 10 years. There are some places they can blend, like this:
Mori is a young guy on my crew and we are in San Francisco on a layover. We are on the way to breakfast when an older couple stops Mori and asks him how to get to Union Square. He points at me. I give them directions. Mori laughs. "No one ever ask YOU for directions in Tokyo. Nobody think you live there."
Good point, Mori. Japan ain't exactly a melting pot.

I don't think anyone would walk up to Mori in Baghdad and ask for directions.
;-)

[Muesli]

25. I think that while the effort might be approved of,

most Japanese men won't be able to cultivate the classic Middle-eastern "broom".

It might be stereotyping, but I don't mean any disrespect.

[Columbia]

29. You people make me sick

With all the racist comments I've read in this thread. Shame on you.

[philosophie_en_rose]

30. That's silly.

It's a proven fact that Sanrio produces all Japanese military products. :)

Overall, the Japanese government is trying to be as least offensive as possible. It's asking it military personnel to stretch a little and to learn about another culture. That's a good thing.

I don't think that good natured joking is the same as racist stereotypes. There's a fine line of course, but I don't think that smiling at "Engrish" is the same as calling people slanty eyed Japs.