[AmericanInTokyo]

It is amazing isn't it?

The big parade of overnight Japan specialists here, due to this quote, now showing up on a FR Japan thread and singing the praises of Ishihara.

If they only knew what he stands and stood for. They would NOT wish for an American version of this guy.

Good comment about Rape of Nanjing there, too (and Shin's take on that)...

[The Grammarian]

I was actually thinking what a mixed blessing it would be to have an American version of Ishihara. He would probably be vilified by liberals everywhere--not without reason, given his views on Japanese atrocities in WW2.

On the positive side, he's anti-immigration/anti-illegal immigration, and he's a nationalist. I wouldn't mind either of those qualities in an American politician. Being unapologetic about the blemishes in a country's history, on the other hand, is not a good thing.

[BJClinton]

I was stunned when I saw a translation of an interview with him. All cultures have their dark moments, our's is slavery and the extermination of "Native Americans". But we own up to it. He almost praised the actions of Japanese soldiers in China and Korea. We need a strong Japan to counter the rising dragon in the east but neo-Imperialists are not the horse to bet on.