Wave of ‘dangerous’ nationalism sweeps Japan-(tora tora tora)

ft ^ | August 28 2006 | David Pilling

[skeeter]

There's nothing inherently wrong with nationalism, its the scapegoating often inserted by politicians thats dangerous.

[cripplecreek]

Nail on the head.

[DTogo]

“What I am concerned about is the very strong anti-Chinese, anti-Korean and sometimes anti-American nationalism that is prevailing in Japan.”

Prevailing?? Since when?

Mr Abe’s advisers say the would-be prime minister is merely trying to draw a line under six decades of “self-flagellation” under which, they say, schools have taught successive generations that Japan was uniquely wicked in the war.

Ending the "self-flagellation" would be a good thing for Japan, if there ever was any to begin with. And since when have Japanese schools ever taught students the true wickedness of Imperial Japan??

Japan * ping * (kono risuto ni hairitai ka detai wo shirasete kudasai : let me know if you want on or off this list)

[bkepley]

Japan's form of nationalism was absolutely insane. I think it's a remote threat at best (worst).

[gaijin]

It is true that the Japanese right-wing sometimes rails against US bases, but I think there's another, more political reason why that's brought up, here:

They know that this kind of rhetoric can bring the US into the debate. That way, Japanese leftists whose ideology comitts them to telling that Japanese nationalists nationalists to shut up can instead just sit on their hands while noisy Americans do their work for them.

No.

The US can profit from a well-armed and confident Japan against CHINA.

That kind of real cooperation is what they're trying to head off, here.

[Semus Dynnen]

Good.

Turn 'em loose on China.

[struggle]

Complete bull. Nationalist Japanese number as many as Neo-nazi's in America. They have black trucks with megaphones...oooooh.

[Vigilanteman]

“What I am concerned about is the very strong anti-Chinese, anti-Korean and sometimes anti-American nationalism that is prevailing in certain night club districts after their patrons are stone-drunk in Japan.”

There. Fixed it.

[billhilly]

"The attack on Mr Kato’s home by a suspected right-wing fanatic followed repeated warnings by the veteran Liberal Democratic party politician against the wisdom of prime ministerial visits to the Yasukuni shrine."

Which AP writer is moonlighting as a Japanese stringer?

[Tinman73]

Looks like they are getting ready for the North Korea threat..

[DTogo]

Yep, that about sums it up!

[Liberty Valance]

I agree.

[AmericanInTokyo]

When it comes to nationalism or even jingoism, it is said the Japanese are like a motor that has only two power settings.

Reverse throttle, and FULL STEAM AHEAD.

Getting over their national, post-war heiwa bokkei funk and aversion of geopolitical or even military conflict to stand up for their democracy is good, and about time. For it to go too far, however, is not.

Often we have to be careful what we wish for. We just may get it some day.

[Retain Mike]

I agree with skeeter that there is nothing inherently wrong with nationalism. Japan's nationalism has a unique character we do not begin to get. I have read a lot of books on Japan, but David Bergamini in "Japan's Imperial Conspiracy" seems to come closest. Also, it helps to try to figure out Kokutai, which is a spiritual combination of Emperor, citizen, land, ancestral spirits, government, and Shinto religion woven together into a several thousand-year heritage. Western societies are driven by election cycles, but Japan is not. In Bergamini's book you get the best sense I have seen of a force driving this society through the millennia that is never revealed to the West, but is understood by Korea and China. At the present moment Japan may quietly pave the way to move publicly away from our military protection. I think a lot of Japanese are asking why the U.S. would risk a nuclear strike on their country, just because a Japanese city was incinerated.

[Desron13]

"He also wants to clarify Japan’s right to defend itself, by changing the pacifist constitution banning a Japanese military and by spelling out Japan’s right – abandoned for half a century – to participate in collective self-defence."

I personally would welcome a rearmed Japan. It would have the Chicoms and that fuzzy little nut salad in North Korea doing kaa kaa in their undies.

[Cacique]

l8r read

[DTogo]

A re-armed Japan would likely be a good thing for the region, and they would likely enjoy a more "equal" relationship with the US. Doubtful that any of the militarism from yesteryear would ever catch hold in current Japan, unless NK were to shoot first.

[Reaganez]

Can you have both an Emperor and citizens? Or is that subjects.

The kind of spirituality that leads them to want their own nuclear deterrent because they don't trust Americans?

I guess the French also have that seven thousand year old spirituality.


Only Japanese leaders with IQs below 70 are going to take on both China and the US. That is completely retarded.

I think the Japanese feelings racial superiority in regards to the Chinese that have been evident for at least centuries will prohibit any real alliance with China.

That leaves US.