Red Army connection
Well Vel,
Like someone posted, the Japanese Red Army link to the MH 653 tragedy was probably a RED HERRING ( pun intended )!!!
I don't remember the Japanese Red Army making any claims post accident, nor was there any other tangible link except some officials claiming that the CVR recording the hijacker with a Japanese accent. The claim of the accent probably stemmed from an inebriated bodyguard of the minister in question, speaking " manglish ".
Also, prior to the tragedy the Japanese Army was involved with some other hijacking in the middle of 1977 besides the earlier attack on the AIA building in KL. Add in the presence of the Cuban envoy to Japan, the powers that be conveniently and happily threw in this RED HERRING!