maff wrote:

Japan's resurgent nationalism has global ramifications

The election of Shinzo Abe as the leader of Japan's ruling Liberal
Democratic party and now prime minister will have profound
repercussions for Japan and east Asia. Most western commentary during
the premiership of Junichiro Koizumi has been concerned with the extent
to which Japan has allowed a freer rein to market forces. While that is
important, the question that should really detain us is Japan's growing
nationalism. Although Koizumi was not a rightwing nationalist, he was,
in a pragmatic way, acutely sensitive to the public mood and, in this
context, mindful of a growing nationalist sentiment: his annual visits
to the Yasukuni war shrine were one consequence.

Japan's resurgent nationalism should have global implications.
Yes, it is for the better.
A stronger Japan is a MUST for Asia's stability.

For too long Japan has endured continual harassment from North Korea
and even from Red China, which keeps harping endlessly on Japan's past
atrocities in WWII.
In recent times North Korea brazenly test-flew its missiles over
Japan's airspace.
North Korea also had brazenly entered Japan's borders and abducted its
citizens. North Korea still refuses to admit its criminal conduct and
to properly disclose the whereabouts of the abductees.
It's about time that Japan re-arm itself and join the ranks of adult
nations that have proper and sufficient defense capabilities.
It's about time that Japan scrap its post World War II Constitution and
begin to arm itself sufficiently and assume more responsibility in this
new century.
For too long Japan has been seen simply as an economic monster whose
sole interest was in becoming a dominant economic power.

With the creation of a respectable military, the defense industry of
Japan will create more job opportunities for the people. I also
propose a draft system for Japan. It will be beneficial for the
youths of Japan who live today with absolutely no sense of national
pride or identity or goal in life to improve themselves.

Times are changing. We are no longer living in the World War II
mindset.
We are now faced with global terrorism and the continual threats from
rogue nations who harbor terrorists.
I fully support the creation of a full-fledged Japanese Army, Navy and
Air Force that could defend on its own from rogue nations such as North
Korea.

The days of unimpressive, weak Self-Defense Forces of Japan must come
to an end. They should be replaced by a full-fledge, respectable
military.
I feel that the new prime minister, Shinzo Abe will bring Japan towards
a stronger Japan that will take more responsiblities than just economic
interests. Japan should no longer kowtow to the harassment from North
Korea or Red China. Japan should re-arm itself so that it could on
its own completely defend itself from such threats. This is the only
way to gain back respect.

This does not mean that Japan will revert itself to the pre-World War
II mentality of Asian domination. It will never ever happen. Japan
fully learned its lessons.
A strong U.S.-Japan bilateral relationship must continue. Japan,
South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and other Southeast nations should work
together to strengthen the defense of Asia from any rogue nations or
any global terrorist groups and help consolidate the stability, peace
and guarantee of democracy in Asia.
This is why I welcome Shinzo Abe as Japan's promising new Prime
Minister.

Norio Hayakawa
http://www.hometown.aol.com/groom51s4