Gulf Crisis, confidential （１１）　

１１) Troubles concerning ambulance
We offered the medical exchange program in response to the accusation by Saudi officials regarding our slow approach in aiding the war efforts. The medical exchange program was not something to improve the situation fundamentally. The Saudi side thought it had already been agreed upon that ambulances and communication equipment would be provided by Japan. However, Japanese side was wasting time by communicating with Tokyo government as usual.

Finally Tokyo decided to offer certain amount of ambulances to Riyadh. The ministry of foreign affairs accommodated ambulances in Australia and shipped them to Saudi Arabia. It was much faster this way. A big problem became apparent when they arrived at the port.
All ambulances were right hand drive. In Australia vehicles were right hand drive like in Britain and Japan. Riyadh refused to receive them because it was too dangerous to drive. We thought it was somehow arrogant for them to refuse expensive offer this way even without any diplomatic compliments.

Those ambulances were neglected and left in the port yard. Japanese media found out about it and reported the error by Japanese government. Japanese TV crew even came to the Japanese Embassy for comments.

I thought at that time that Japan was too innocent as a nation.
Being innocent may be a virtue as a private person, but may sometimes be difficult for a nation. One definition of a diplomat says “a gentleman who can lie with no sweat for his nation.” Japanese
diplomats or politicians may be too naive to behave that way. I don't want them to be as arrogant as their counter parts, but to be more bold and assured. For example, it could have been said that “It took a long time to deliver ambulances because they are delicate items to deal with life and death” when the ambulances arrived late.

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