A Japanese official confirmed on May 30^th that the anticipated military transport flight into China’s earthquake-hit Sichuan Province had been put off.

Japanese Air Self Defence Force

A day earlier, it had been reported that a Japanese Air Self Defence Force C-130 Hercules transporter would deliver aid such as blankets and tents – the flight marking the first entry into Chinese airspace of a Japanese military aircraft since the Second World War’s end.

However, according to Nobutaka Machimura, the flight – suggested after China had appealed to Japan – would not be happening for now.  

"As there were concerns in China, Japan and China had discussions and decided to shelve the idea of Self-Defence Forces planes providing transport", the Chief Cabinet Secretary advised the media today.

"This is not an issue that we should risk causing friction [over]."

Commercial Aircraft Replacing Military

In place of the military, he added, commercial aircraft would be used instead.

The Japanese printed media reported that, in response to news of the planned military flight, criticism had emanated, such as messages posted online drawing an association between the Japanese armed forces now, and those of 60+ years ago.

The earthquake struck Sichuan on May 12^th. Soon after this, Japanese rescue and medical workers arrived in the province.

Japanese Former Military Power

Relations between China and Japan took a downturn between 2001 and 2006 – the years that (ex) Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was in power. The PM’s trips to Yasukuni shrine attracted controversy, as, in the eyes of some critics, the monument is symbolic of Japanese former military power since it pays respect to a number of war criminals, together with military personnel killed in action.

Chinese/ Japanese Relations

More recently, Chinese/Japanese relations have got better, but, still, a number of residents in China remain resentful of Japan’s actions between 1931 and 1945.

Source – Armed Forces International’s Far East Correspondent

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