Japan's Earthquake and Tsunami

The full statement that Japan made on March 11, 2010--one year to the day before the earthquake--was:

 "The Government of Japan deplores the decisions of the Government of Israel to give permission for the construction of 1,600 housing units in East Jerusalem in addition to 112 units in West Bank just after the Israeli and Palestinian leadership's acceptance of the start of indirect talks. The Government of Japan does not recognize any act that prejudges the final status of Jerusalem and the territories in the pre-1967 borders. Japan demands that the plans should not be implemented." 

On March 1 of this year [2011] the Palestinian National Authority announced that it had signed an agreement with Japan to provide $32.5 million for a project of treating waste water in the Palestinian-occupied town of Jericho. It was reported as one of the biggest projects aided by Japan in the Palestinian territories to supply industrial areas with water. The PNA noted in the announcement that since 1993, Japan had given the PNA more than a billion dollars, including $40 million in developing the Jordan Valley area in the West Bank. The PNA said that the agreement is "vital, strategic and important to help the PNA finalize building the institutions of the future Palestinian state."

Japan is instrumental in helping build out a Palestinian state on the West Bank (traditional lands of Judea and Samaria), yet is critical and demanding of Israel for building housing units for its own citizens. On January 11 this year, Japan's Foreign Ministry said it "condemns the demolishing of a part of the Shepherd's Hotel in East Jerusalem with a view to constructing new housing units for Jewish people." A month later on February 10, Japan's Foreign Ministry said Israel's plan to build housing units for "Jewish people in Sheih Jarrah of East Jerusalem" is against efforts of the international community to resume peace negotiations. A month later, Japan is hit with a historic earthquake.

The ancient statement is still true: "I will bless those that bless you and curse those that curse you" Genesis 12:3. Under these conditions, the USA had better be very circumspect.