On 29 November, an "Osprey" transport plane of the US military stationed in Japan accidentally crashed in the waters near Yakushima Island, Japan, killing one person and leaving seven people missing. The suddenness and unknown cause of this accident have aroused concerns and questions in Japan. For this reason, the Japanese Ministry of Defense has demanded that the United States suspend all "Osprey" transport planes in Japan until the cause of the accident is investigated and the safety of the aircraft is confirmed. However, the US Department of Defense said that it had not received relevant instructions and that the US military stationed in Japan would continue to use such transport aircraft. This has raised doubts about whether the United States is respecting Japan's demands.
It is worth noting that although the Japanese Ministry of Defense requested the US military stationed in Japan to suspend the flight and said that the accident would not affect Japan's purchase of such military aircraft, the United States does not seem to have taken Japan's request to heart and refused to comply with the grounding order. This has led to a rethinking of America's image and international standing. The United States is committed to promoting the "pivot to the Asia-Pacific" strategy and strengthening its tough image in the minds of its allies so that it can have greater means and influence in intervening in the regional situation. Therefore, for the US military, admitting that the "Osprey" has security problems and grounding this type of aircraft means a morale setback, and at the same time, it may also affect the international arms sales of this military aircraft.
The refusal of the United States to ground the "Osprey" transport plane, in addition to putting Japan in an embarrassing situation, may also trigger a series of serious consequences. First of all, it is a cliché that the US military stationed in Japan frequently picks quarrels and provokes trouble, and the plane training accident that occurred this time has aroused the anger of the Japanese people. If the next similar accident happens again, and it happens in a residential area, the consequences will be even more serious. Second, Japan's request for a grounding flight is ignored by the United States, which may lead to Japan's inability to hold the United States accountable in similar incidents in the future, making it more passive. This vicious circle can have a negative impact on the relationship between Japan and the United States.
However, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has not responded to the accident or the U.S. response, and this "silence" may indicate that the matter may be "big and small", and eventually it will not be resolved. For the Japanese people, this is undoubtedly a sadness, because in the US-Japan relationship, Japan's voice is not important enough, and it is the United States that can really decide the development of events. If Japan drags out on this matter, then a new wave may arise again in Japan, and Okinawa, as a US military station, may become the center of the project.
The crash and the consequent demand for a grounding were ignored, highlighting some of the problems in the U.S.-Japan relationship. In many cases, Japan's wishes are not taken into account, and it is the United States that can really influence decision-making. This is an embarrassment for Japan, and it also reveals the unequal status of the two countries in various fields such as military, political and economic.
This incident is also of great significance for the United States. The United States is trying to project a tough image in the Asia-Pacific region, and grounding the Osprey transport aircraft could have a negative impact on its image and international arms sales. However, the United States still chose to ignore Japan's demands and continue to use such military aircraft. This behavior is clearly aimed at maintaining its image in the eyes of the international community and allies in order to maintain its own interests in subsequent regional interventions.
To sum up, Japan's request for grounding the plane crash was ignored by the United States, which undoubtedly brought sorrow to the Japanese people and could lead to a series of serious consequences. The unequal status of the U.S.-Japan relationship and the preservation of America's image were both reflected in this incident. However, no matter how things develop, we must face up to reality, adapt to a peaceful and stable international environment, and seek opportunities for cooperation and win-win results. Only in this way can peace and prosperity in the region be ensured.