SNA (Tokyo) — The recent crash of a US Air Force CV-22 Osprey aircraft off the southern coast has once again highlighted Japan’s enduring lack of control over its own territories, even 78 years after the Pacific War.

Last Wednesday, an Osprey aircraft crashed near Yakushima island, resulting in the confirmed death of one crew member, with all eight presumed to have lost their lives. This incident is part of a series of mishaps involving Ospreys in Japan, a deployment opposed by numerous citizen groups. In response, both the foreign ministry and defense ministry officially requested the Pentagon to ground the controversial aircraft until investigations were completed.

Despite Japan’s repeated requests for sufficient safety explanations over flights, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno expressed concerns that these requests were not being heeded: “Flights are being carried out without sufficient explanation about safety, despite repeated requests from Japan,” he said on Friday.

However, the Pentagon’s response seemed to dismiss Tokyo’s pleas, with Department of Defense Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stating during a press conference, “Right now the Ospreys are still operating in Japan… We’re, of course, eternally grateful for the government of Japan and their Coast Guard for helping in our search and recovery efforts.”

Similarly, US Ambassador Rahm Emanuel praised Japan while ignoring its official request. On social media he wrote that “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Japanese Coast Guard, Japanese Self-Defense Forces, and local community and fishermen who are assisting in the search for the crew. The strength of an alliance isn’t measured when times are good, but how we support each other in the face of adversity.”

Despite direct communications from Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, the customarily outspoken Emanuel has chosen to remain publicly silent about Tokyo’s official request.

This lack of responsiveness by the Pentagon to urgent Japanese government requests regarding Osprey flights is just one aspect of the unequal relationship between the two nations. Other examples include US control of Tokyo’s airspace, a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) less favorable to Japan than similar agreements in Europe, and the significant financial burden placed on Japanese taxpayers for the stationing of US forces, primarily in Okinawa.

These circumstances lead some progressive scholars, including Australian National University Emeritus Professor Gavan McCormack, to characterize Japan as more of a US “client state” than a genuine ally.

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