LA Times

http://www.latimes.com/wires/20010625/tCB00V3892.html

Monday, June 25, 2001

Japan Fighter Mistakenly Fires at Car

    TOKYO-- A Japanese fighter jet conducting training on the northern
island of Hokkaido mistakenly strafed a parking lot Monday, smashing the
rear window of a passenger car and penetrating the roof of a garage.
    There were no injuries, police spokesman Akihiro Ishikawa said. But
the Defense Ministry issued an apology and suspended all Air Self-Defense
Force training involving shooting.
    "This sort of incident should never happen. I would like to
apologize," said Vice Defense Minister Ken Sato, who bowed deeply before
reporters. "This is unbelievable."
    The ministry also sent investigators to Hokkaido and has begun
questioning the fighter pilot, said ministry spokesman Tateki Kaiwa.
    The accident comes as Japan debates changing its pacifist
constitution to allow it a more proactive security role in international
conflicts. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is a vocal backer of the
reform.
    The F/4 fighter jet was conducting an air-to-ground firing drills
when the 20 -mm practice rounds went off inadvertently while the plane was
in the air, said Air Self-Defense Force spokeswoman Tomoko Tanaka.
    The rounds shattered the rear window of a car parked at a drug
addiction rehabilitation center near the firing range. The roof of the
minibus garage at the center had a hole in it, Ishikawa said.
    Bullet traces were also found at a golf course near the training
grounds, Kyodo News Agency reported. Ministry spokesman Kaiwa said it was
possible the rounds hit one of the six golf courses that surround the
training site, but could not confirm the report.
    The Defense Ministry said 200 rounds were fired, though only 18 had
been recovered.
    "We were so fortunate it happened just before lunch time when almost
everyone was inside the building," Takahiro Fukura of the rehabilitation
center told Japanese television.
    The firing range in Shimamatsu is one of two in Japan and is about
490 miles northeast of Tokyo.

Copyright 2001 Los Angeles Times

BANZAI !!!!!
[heavy]

Deep bows do not excuse the horror of this incident.  No more guns for the Japanese military.  

The Japanese being the most racist people on earth, it'll probably come out that the golf club had admitted an Occidental and was being punished.....

Wonder if the pilot is going to join the "Four Finger Club"...?

Mr Tofu your Higher Power wouldn't approve of your recent drug use...How do I know?......He sees everything. PAUSE Really Mr Tofu, your car did not just explode in our parking facility.
Give me that Saki bottle immediately Sir.

Wow, a drug rehab center next to a bombing range. That ought to calm those jumpy addicts through their withdrawls.

Hmm. 200 Rounds to fill 18 holes. What was the par on the golf course. Obviously, he was no Tiger Woods.

I wonder what the acid guys thought. Maybe they should tell 'em it was a huge acid flashback.