Nationalism may rise under Japan's next gov't

@semperfi - as of 2012 Japan has the highests national debt to GDP ratio in the world. United States is # 37. Japan has a national debt at 225% of its national GDP. United States has a national debt at 58.9% of its GDP. Japan isnt circiling the toilet, its in the sewer. Not sure why you even used the United States as an example. Facts first before reply please!

If the LDP or Nippon Ishin no Kai-led coalition goes the way of the wartime Taisei Yokusankai, we're coming down on 'em!!

“In Japan,” he (Abe) said, “there is no flag-burning, there is no harm to Chinese nationals in this country, and we should be proud of that.”

Yes, because as the article notes most Japanese people care a lot more about the economy and nuclear power than they do about some stupid islands.

because you not with development of return of investment - market-oriented innovation. you do not have APPLE, what do you have in 2012???? in global products??? cars? telecommunications rise - where are japan companies? the serbian miloševič choice, nationalism, closed market!

The British were just as bad as Japanese and England

You mean the U.K. not England.

Also, forget about bowing heads and saying sorry for her part in war. That part of JP history is done and gone.

True, there should always come a time when people stop beating themselves up over past mistakes and move on. Thing is, though, that if a Japanese leader apologises for Japan's wartime activities and a whole bunch of other Japanese leaders claim that Japan does not actually have anything to apologise for, it becomes kind of hard to take whatever apologies have been offered all that seriously.

Japan has apologized more than enough to S Korea!!Enough is enough already!! If Koreans want more apology from Japan then the Koreans too should examine their conscience also and reflect just how good and morally upright the Koreans are.Look we are all human beings and quite frankly speaking, I don't support Korea's anti-Japan sentiment at all to drum up more sympathy from Japan which Korea still perceives as the "aggressor" up till this day!!

Japan is the humblest country in the world because their PMs and even the Emperor have successively offered apologies in profuse ways..How many times have the Europeans and U.S.A. apologized to their colonial victims? Not even once I'd say! And Japan's PMs have said sorry to Korea at least more than 5 times. The British were just as bad as Japanese and England has never apologized to its former colonies and yet nobody has ever burnt Union Jack!!

To be honest with you guys, I am just as sick and tired as anybody else of seeing Korean nationalists burning Hinomaru Flags even as many successive Japanese PMs have offered apologies from the "bottom of their hearts"one after another.The past is over and it's about time Koreans be more generous to Japan and forget and forgive Japan's sins in Korea!!

By the way, I am Korean and I hope my writing here helps peoples of both Koreans and Japanese think more positively of each other & I also want to see stronger bonds of friendships between ordinary Koreans and Japanese people even if there is a political and diplomatic conflicts between Seoul and Tokyo!!

>I don't see how that relates in any way to the fact that ultra right wingers seem to spring up whether they're banned or condoned, contrary to what you were saying about Germany's anti-nazi policies somehow creating conditions for them to thrive.

??? I just gave you an example of how restrictions(law or policy) created a conflicts of two polar opposite groups which did not exist beforehand.

Yes, but it's not a particularly good one. Ultra-rightist groups existed in Japan well before 1985, and politicians' visits to Yasukuni have not actually stopped.

Well. You did cite two countries that censors pro Japan info and issues one government issued history books.

Well-founded criticism. It might come across a bit better if there weren't groups in Japan like the Society for Historical Textbook Reform and people like Shinzo Abe who censor NHK documentaries. I find them just as odious as anything that goes on in China and Korea.

Let's see, what is the easiest way to get elected? Hmmm...use fear and hate as a cheap commodity, sell it abundently to the masses, capitalize, look like a hero and get elected. Why? Because the politicians have no better idea.

About time JP stood on its own feet. First, get rid of the SDF. You can't project power with a self-defense force. Get a real military and other countries would think twice before beating up on JP. Also, forget about bowing heads and saying sorry for her part in war. That part of JP history is done and gone.

I don't see how that relates in any way to the fact that ultra right wingers seem to spring up whether they're banned or condoned, contrary to what you were saying about Germany's anti-nazi policies somehow creating conditions for them to thrive.

??? I just gave you an example of how restrictions(law or policy) created a conflicts of two polar opposite groups which did not exist beforehand.

It might grab the headlines if there were any anti-German riots in other European countries, like there are anti-Japanese protests in China and Korea. Say what you like about the government and the media in those countries stirring them up for whatever selfish reasons of their own, but no one in Europe seems to hate the Germans quite that much any more.

Well. You did cite two countries that censors pro Japan info and issues one government issued history books.

I'm not quite understanding what you wrote but I'll give you an example for Yasukuni. Before China started complaining about the Prime Minsisters visits (before summer of 1985), the the former PM's would visit the shrine as much as three times a year (Spring/Fall festivals and Augsut 15th). It was accepted and hence there were virtually no presence of ultra right wingers during those times.

I don't see how that relates in any way to the fact that ultra right wingers seem to spring up whether they're banned or condoned, contrary to what you were saying about Germany's anti-nazi policies somehow creating conditions for them to thrive.

I'm going to have to disagree for many nations are still wanting compensation for the war damage Germany created during WWII. Though it does not grab the headlines, it's still being surfaced with most notably, Greece just a couple of weeks ago.

It might grab the headlines if there were any anti-German riots in other European countries, like there are anti-Japanese protests in China and Korea. Say what you like about the government and the media in those countries stirring them up for whatever selfish reasons of their own, but no one in Europe seems to hate the Germans quite that much any more.

Jay Hoffman

You don't need a Japanese history book any history book would due as long it has details of what kind of treaty Japan was imposed by the western nations when she first opened here doors which followed by Japan's fist expansion to open a market in the mainland asia which led to the fist Japan-Sino war and the Japan-Russian war. Japan was able obtain a better trade relationship in exchange for participating in the WW1 but was many of Japan's demand was turned down at the Versailles conference. The decisive blow was the Great Depression in which all nation and more importantly their colonies closed their doors into protectism placing inormous tariff to import as well as export. Japan back then is as now an export oriented nation and her ecomony was at the brink of collapse with the exploding prices to import natural resource and the rediculous rate of tariff to export led to Japan's second expansion into China in which Japan wanted a market to sell her products free of various restriction and tariffs. That is why Japan wanted Manchuko be recognized which was crushed by the US with the Hull note resulting to WW2.

That is a very brief summary you can read it in extent as I wrote in any history book if it is detailed.

Tiger_In_The_HermitageSep. 20, 2012 - 03:44PM JST @JoeBigs: "Thugs like the PRC" Its more like thugs like the American military, number of Japanese harmed by foriegners are by majority by American military men in Japan.

So those were American's protesting in the streets of PRC controlled China!

Wow, thanks for correcting me.

Nationalism may rise under Japan's next gov't a better headline would be "New Japanese government grows a spine"

For those testosterone driven Japanese right wingers and for those testosterone driven Chinese hardline communists read the common East-Asian History Textbook: Mirai o hiraku rekishi: Higashi Ajia sankoku no kingendaishi, 223 pages, Tokyo: Kôbunken, 2005 (in Japanese). There exist of course also versions in Chinese and Korean (a pity though that it has by my knowledge not yet be translated in English !). Healthy nationalism promotes peace and prosperity in this way... Common East-Asian remembrance ceremonies attended by all East-Asian and US leaders can of course be further expanded to include horrific acts against humanity like the Great Tokyo Air Raids on March 10 1945, the massacre of 200000 Okinawan civilians during the Battle of Okinawa, and the exploitation of Korean 'comfort women',....

@globalwatcher

I totally agree to abolish this article It is a basic natural right of every homo sapiens or for that matter of every living animal/plant to defend themselves (in fact it is evolution theory itself) !

ARTICLE 9. Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. (2) To accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.

A way to canalize nationalism is to create common East-Asian remembrance ceremonies between all East-Asian leaders and the president of the USA (as colonizer of Japan), so they themselves and their people may understand one other more... First, remove all 14 - Class A War Criminals - like war prime minister TOJO Hideki and MATSUI Iwane (the one responsible for the Nanjing Massacre) from Yasukuni Jinja (no matter what some Shinto priests would say !). Then create a common remembrance day WITH ALL LEADERS from Japan, China, Korea, USA,... in July during the Mitama Matsuri in this beautiful Shinto shrine. Then move on to August 6, a common remembrance day in Genbaku Dome in Hiroshima. And finally choose a common remembrance day in December and hold a common ceremony in Nanjing to remember the deaths from 1937. Let people or children read testimonials or soldier diaries of the happenings then... Let these common ceremonies be highly televized and promoted by the 3 governments ! There already exist common East-Asian modern history textbooks, written by historians of the 3 countries (Japan, China and Korea) in the 3 languages and let it more widely known !

The Aritcle 9th of the Japanese Constitution needs to be re-evaluated.

Let me get this straight - ban Nazism and anything associated with it, you get neo-nazi fantasists who like to claim that Nazi Germany did nothing wrong whatsoever? Well, allow Japanese wartime leaders to get out of prison and run the country again, you get uyoku fantasists in black soundtrucks who like to claim Imperial Japan did nothing wrong whatsover and occasionally try to kill any "traitors" who disagree with them. The results seem kind of similar to me.

I'm not quite understanding what you wrote but I'll give you an example for Yasukuni. Before China started complaining about the Prime Minsisters visits (before summer of 1985), the the former PM's would visit the shrine as much as three times a year (Spring/Fall festivals and Augsut 15th). It was accepted and hence there were virtually no presence of ultra right wingers during those times. It's only when China started to make this an issue and the Japanese PM's started caving in and stopped visiting is when the presence of ultra right wingers started to surface in Yasukuni Shrine. On top of the that, every morning on August 15th, there would be a clash of right wing protestors and left wing protestors clash near Kudanshita.

Looking at bigger, more important issues. Under its postwar leadership, Germany has become the undisputed leader of Europe, with strong bonds with its wartime enemies

I'm going to have to disagree for many nations are still wanting compensation for the war damage Germany created during WWII. Though it does not grab the headlines, it's still being surfaced with most notably, Greece just a couple of weeks ago.

Seems to me that by making their policies restrictive, it paved way for Neo-Nazi's movement throughout the world, me thinks.

Let me get this straight - ban Nazism and anything associated with it, you get neo-nazi fantasists who like to claim that Nazi Germany did nothing wrong whatsoever? Well, allow Japanese wartime leaders to get out of prison and run the country again, you get uyoku fantasists in black soundtrucks who like to claim Imperial Japan did nothing wrong whatsover and occasionally try to kill any "traitors" who disagree with them. The results seem kind of similar to me.

Looking at bigger, more important issues. Under its postwar leadership, Germany has become the undisputed leader of Europe, with strong bonds with its wartime enemies. Under Japan's postwar leadership, the country is lagging behind wartime enemies who regard it with suspicion, animosity and resentment. The kind of nationalism that Germany rightly rejected and that cretins like Shinzo Abe are so keen to embrace will only make things much, much worse.

@SamuraiBlue

Sorry, You totally lost me halfway through

t"nearly impossible for the ones who did not have gain access to natural resources and export products beyond their own border."

Is this how you Justify Japan’s invasion of other Asian countries during World War 2

I assume you’re Japanese, would you please tell me where I could find a Japanese textbook in English online? I am curious about what has been taught in school regarding ww2, thank you in advance

Conclusion of my last opinion is: outside threat can never hurt you more serious than inside brothers' fighting, JP nationalism is equal to KMT, DPJ might be like Commie, hopefully these 2 don't fight to runover JP.

After WWII, China civil war exploded between KMT and commie, this war was more serious than WWII, which JP only hurt China's skin but civil war hurt China's bone as historian said. Nowadays so many people asked why China didn't take use of win of WWII to get it's profit like the US or Russia or England or even France? the answer is the civil war, Chinese should blame to himself for this key point! For your information: 4 million Chinese soldiers were killed during WWII and 10 million(KMT & commie) were killed in civil war!

A bit of patriotism is a good social cement for a country.

Nationalism is the worst and most difficult movement to control for a country. This is the victory of the emotions vs. the reason. This lead to blind decisions and actions.

Waiting for the third.

This article was written by/for Associated Press as with most of the articles on this site. Although it appears to be neutral and factual, the use of "nationalism" in the context of the controversial and open conflict between China, Korea and Japan, it opens up a host of unwanted emotional reactions that detract from the real issues that some have tried to express. There are different types and levels of nationalism, from "love of country" to "military aggression" and at different levels of playing fields with different perspectives.

By the headline used, it "implies" or "suggests" a dangerous form of nationalism in the eyes of foreigners. Although the article tries to cover as much areas of concern, by not defining "nationalism" used in the article, it invites more "emotional" reaction than a rational one. If that was the intent, then it probably served its purpose.

However, for Japan, whose population young and old is in need of a national purpose within the fast changing international arena with conflicts everywhere, a "unifying" theme and purpose led by "wise" and "uncorrupted" leaders or group may be just what is needed. Whether the several outspoken groups are the ones needed, only time will tell.

As a foreigner in Japan, I personally want to see a much stronger and unified Japan, able to hold its own against any adversary. Most of all, I would like to see less "selfish" politicians at all levels that "really" takes responsibility and actually "manage" rather than "slide by" with rhetoric.

It will also be nice to get rid of "useless" government workers at all levels. It can be done so easily by cross training all departments every 3 to 5 years, where no one regardless of being a specialist, a manager or a clerk, stays within a position longer than 5 years without knowing what other departments are doing. In that way you can eliminate almost half of the redundant compartmentalized work in so many related dysfunctional departments.

I hope one of the new leaders stepping up would make some changes worth our while and the taxpayers money.

Despite lies I hear here and there, not one single Chinese has been bothered in Japan. Not a shop has been touched.

Japanese people miss the general term in nationalism. Nationalism is about loving and defending your country, not hating other's countries! China need to be kept at check. If Japan gives up, they will have to give up the whole place.

Japan is just trying to protect its possessions. I see images of despear, and on the other side I see destruction and hate. I was in a Chinese restaurant, owned by a Chinese (HK, not Taiwanese) and the crowed was there, eating and chatting.

China wants to rule the world. Chinese are educated like that, we need to deal with that now, before it is too late. Or is it already?

These politicians need to learn from the dignified, reasonable, and compassionate Emperor Akihito. I have just heard that the emperor recently stated that he would like to visit Korea for better relations between the two countries. AND that he is willing to sincerely apologize to Koreans on behalf of Japan to make this visit happen. Can anyone verify this?

He is, in my opinion, the most respectable and admirable of all Japanese emperors based on this single comment. Despite being older than these stupid political geezers, he is way ahead of them in terms of progressiveness and forward thinking.

@Ali

so lets explain to those so called nationalists that in every corner of the world all human beings are the same, the same families, the same sufferings and the same problems.

Exactly : )

Everyone should admit that Japan is just a pawn for USA, they are the ones that decide Japan's policy. You will never see Japan and China together, until USA will keep a strong position in Asia. In China many people think the same, and say "Little Japan" must always obey to its master, USA.

With Hatoyama, Japan tried to get closer to China. But USA didn't want that, so finally Hatoyama's efforts have been useless. It's clear that Japan can't chose freely to be closer to China than USA., so LDP will be always USA's most favorite Japanese party, and Japan will never be able to change its policy with its Asian neighbours.

would anybody like to define nationalism, in today's politics those who hate others and giving ridiculous statements is called a nationalist. so lets explain to those so called nationalists that in every corner of the world all human beings are the same, the same families, the same sufferings and the same problems. majority of the people want peace and happiness in the world, those who hate, those who want wars are few and we should not let them to dominate us. human beings can not survive with out the help of each others we depend on each others. i will never support such a politician ever who called himself a nationalist

Yubaru > I think the assumption in the AP article is that Hashimoto's party will still be led under the umbrella of LDP. AP assumes that even if LDP were to form a coalition with both Hashimoto or any other party, LDP will be the leading party and therefore, the LDP's new leader "would almost certainly become the next prime minister." If LDP were to form a "grand coalition" with DPJ, I think LDP will still take the lead and DPJ would be downgraded to a junior partner status, much like the decade-old coalition with the Komeito Party.

The LDP should get some fresh and creative ideas from the inteligentsia of Tokyo University, Waseda University, Keio University, Kyoto University... Japan's post world war II policy is not suited for prosperity and wealth in the 21st century! Japan used to be the first Asian country to incorporate natural scientific principles in its policy like during the Meiji restauration, but now its ideology is stuck in a cold war mentality imposed by their colonizer = the USA. For those testosterone driven Japanese right wing men, just have some good sex with some Chinese women like Zhang Ziyi! And for those testosterone driven Chinese communist men, just have some good sex with some Japanese women like Koyuki (actress from the last Samurai)! And for the intelligent Japanese and Chinese men and women...an East Asian Union is the way to prosperity and wealth for both countries!

If we ever chose LDP as our governing party again, that will be the end of moderate Japan.

Thomas Anderson

War is an extension of policy and policy is derived by the economic health of the nation it doesn't occur in pure vacuum.

The assumption is that the LDP will "win", however the LDP is more than likely not going to win enough seats to control the government on it's own and will more than likely have to form a coalition to rule.

Now then, here on JT the articles being posted are making an assumption that it's going to be Hashimoto's party that they will have to form the government with, but that is ALL speculation.

It could very well be that the LDP may have to form a coalition with, guess who, the DJP, because they still will have plenty of seats to cause numerous problems for the LDP.

In other words......GRIDLOCK as usual.

to develop a healthy nationalism

This is a joke, right?? Patriotism? Perhaps. Healthy nationalism? Oh Christ.

tomoki

It is a good opportunity for Japanese to develop a healthy nationalism. In Japan nationalism was discouraged after the WWII from all sides, communists, socialists, and those friendly with US influences.

Hello? It was nationalism that lead Japan to enter WW2 and nearly destroyed itself. It was the lack of nationalism that lead Japan to success and prosperity after WW2. Nationalism is clearly not the right path for Japan.

You want Japan to go back to its pre-WW2 days? No one is stopping you, but if you do, then good luck after that.

SamuraiBlue

Thomas Anderson It also happens to be the truth. Try reading a history book once and see how the chain of events occur.

So I guess you're not going to complain if China happens to invade Japan because it lacked resources? China is pretty isolated right now...

@Tai-Cheng Lee I like your attitude about not wanting war.

But can I ask why you think

"if this issue is handed over to the international cout, we may lose."

Surely China and Japan will confront each other militarily, sooner or later. There are a lot of discussion here but you don't see people touching the very basics, the world war two in this part of the world. Unlike Europe, where the war was won the the British and the Soviet, with the help of United States. So the post war order made sure that Germany and his friends are on the same page as the Brits and Russians. So there are no muddy history disagreement. In Eastern Asian, Korea was colonized, China was lucky to win eventually only after United States lend a helping hands. So the post war order was reflection of US will, not the locals. US hold the key to the regional security but is not sensitive enough to clean up the left over of Japanese militarism . With China on the rise, surely as a local the Chinese will clean up this issue. Its a half done job. One has to say Japan has done a very impressive job of able to deny some basic facts of WW2 even 70 years after the war. And the reason Japan can do that is because it lost the war to the US not the locals and still holds lead after the war on every aspect . It is unimaginable any German Chancellor sing the prase of the NAZIS. So sit tight and prepare for the turbulency.

Tomoki, if you think Japanese kids learn much about WW2 I'd say you're wrong.

But if by Japanese perspective you mean that they should be taught that ww2 was just about Japan depending itself etc etc, then I'd say that if that happens Japan will never have better relations with it's neighbors.

The last thing Japan needs now is to become more nationalistic.

I am Chinese from mainland. :-) war is very expensive , especially in this morden world. I don't think it deserve a war. But the situation is getting worse. No one can asure that it will not lead to a war. Japan cannot conquer China and China cannot conquer Japan. So even you can win the battle, you lose all the others. It is stupid to start a war. For Japan, you need market. For China, we need technology and capital. Good relation help both countries. Japan cannot rely on US all the time. China is changing , maybe one day , China will become US's most important friend. Japan should have some vision about the future and try to build good relationship with your neighbour. (it doesn't mean yielding to China, but show your respect ) I think "buying the diaoyu island" hurt China baddly . Can Japan buy US's island ? There is too much hint under "buying the island". If we don't fight back, that would mean we admit the island belong to Japan, and in the long run, if this issue is handed over to the international cout, we may lose.

What Japan really needs is a stable, reform oriented cabinet whose main priority is reducing national debt and harmonious relations with the world's second largest economy- not more behaviour that will serve to marginalise its position in Asia.

"Also I think that young people just want to know the truth about how the WWII started and they are gradually learning that what they are taught in school is only one side of truth, lacking the Japanese perspective."

So you think they are taught the American perspective..????

@JoeBigs: "Thugs like the PRC"

Its more like thugs like the American military, number of Japanese harmed by foriegners are by majority by American military men in Japan.

The image of Abe's pathetic term in office that will always stick with me was the day he tried but couldn't present the winner of a Sumo Basho with the Prime Minister's cup. The weakling couldn't pick it up.

A bunch of right-wing trust fund babies out to reassert Japan's supposed strength, which they themselves have had no role in creating and building, nor have they any role in supporting.

These guys are the living embodiments of that German Newspaper's criticism of Japan never having reexamined and reflected over its militarist and colonial past. Now aging and more dependent than ever on imports, is it really the time for rich boys rattling sabres the rest of the nation cannot afford? Or to make threats that can't be backed up?

Lots of interesting comments so far. But one thing I wanted to bring up, is how some posters on here will claim Japanese nationalism is militarism. This is not necessarily true. It's quite natural for citizens in any country to embrace some nationalistic pride, even in Japan's case since some of you aren't aware of that.

The Japanese people need to be heard, but often times they're not through the current administration. And the economy doesn't help either. It is time to make the time to change the country through the vehicle of nationalism.

@Tomoki 'Healthy nationalism'. Cheers, I'll give that expression to my wife whenever she is asked by her students what 'oxymoron' means.

Japanese nationalism is militarism. If Japan wants a war, then Japan will be nuked. It's nothing but a proxy state nowadays. Another puerto rico.

“Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.” - A. Einstein

It is a good opportunity for Japanese to develop a healthy nationalism. In Japan nationalism was discouraged after the WWII from all sides, communists, socialists, and those friendly with US influences. There is nothing wrong with Naitonalism as long as they are effectively expressed in hopefully in non-violent ways but the nation must have the resolve to defend herself militarily as the last recourse. Without such military options Japan has learned that the diplomacy is never effective in the world, especially with China and Koreas. Also I think that young people just want to know the truth about how the WWII started and they are gradually learning that what they are taught in school is only one side of truth, lacking the Japanese perspective. This does not mean that they are becoming militaristic or want to fight the war with China or Korea.

I am really disappointed in the Democratic Party. What have they done different from the LDP? They could have made drastic changes to revive the economy by giving opportunities to young people and opening the economy and distribution system to foreign competition. Also, they took the same route in diplomacy as the LDP. If they tried to take liberal policies to genuinely improve relations with Japan's neighbors, they wouldn't be in the mess they are now.

Japan is surrounded by enemies. hahahaha

Two recent events perhaps worth noting:

Hashimoto opined in a recent press conference of the need for a better understanding of the anger of the Koreans and the Chinese and the need for clear recapitulation of the war of the past, while criticizing ther Japanese for kowing too little about Asian history in general. The emperor suggested in a periodic meeting with the Foreign Ministry that he is willing to visit South Korea and offer his apologies as requested by President Lee if considered the best thing to do to restore and maintain the friendship between the two countries. Also worth noting that no specific criticism has been raised in Japan over these events and people generally seem to be able to relate to these views.

In a democracy needless to say political leaders are mere reflections of their people and here in Japan where I don't think there are actually that many true-to-the-core China haters around (less minority taking their anger and frustration on a target) would not expect any of the LDP candidates above to expose overly nationalistic behavior if and when in power as they know it would not do them any good. Consider elder Ishihara to be an exceptional figure who is in any event not necessarily supported for his eccentrically nationalistic behavior but more for reasons similar to Hashimoto. The average J-citizen while arguably worried and frustrated over whatever is taking place in neighboring countries have other more important matters to be preoccupied about in their lives. Meanwhile the J-business community will continue to raise strong voices against overly provocative behavior on the part of j-government to ensure good relations with neighboring countries are pursued and maintained. Thus believe any excessive concerns over j-government leaning towards the right to be misdirected especially when much of any argument to take place in Japan on foreign diplmacy/national security will continue to assume prioritizing strong ties with US. The most dangerous J-government in that regard may have been that under Hatoyama in my view.

Thomas Anderson

It also happens to be the truth. Try reading a history book once and see how the chain of events occur.

Is

hihara, a former TV political reporter, has stressed the importance of dialogue with China. But last week, he said he believed it was important that the emperor be able to visit and pray at Yasukuni Shrine, which would surely upset China.

Well THANKFULLY the current Emperor is smart enough to NOT visit yasukuni, gee I wonder why, perhaps the Emperor shud teach ishihara a little bit about that pretty on the outside UGLY on the inside shrine me thinks.

KariHaruka

This ticked me off the most while reading the article. The emperor of Japan should be allowed to visit wherever he likes within Japan and the Chinese have no right to a say in the matter.

I don't think you understand this concept called foreign diplomacy. The rule is you do not piss people off, especially intentionally like visiting the shrine.

SamuraiBlue

Actually the first move that shoved Japan to become expansionist was protectism by the European states hording all the natural resources placing rediculous tariffs and other restrictions in trading beyond borders.

Actually that's the every nationalists' cliched apologist excuse for Japan's past crimes.

This is hilarious. People like Ishihara and his supporters are making Japan more and more insecure and next they want yet another nationalist. Japan is doomed.

Hey Jialinyu, you should learn your history first: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square_protests_of_1989 Those Chinese people only wanted reform, and they were killed, jailed, tortured by your Chinese government. Hope that explains which side is more like nazis.

Hi house Atreides. if, you go to china to ask native people who live in TIbet, Easrestan, INner MOngilia, you will get answer in which they DO admit they are Chinese. This is because Chinese are formed by ethithicly and cuturally assimilated each others that is completely different from the Japanese thugs, those who always want to occupy other's territories as thier own lands. In this particular case, appreciation should be given to American by doing nice job for securing east Asia pace and end up WW2, in throwing two atomic bombs, and also colonizing Japan even today. Unfortunately, one listen seems not enough for, I mean, not all japanese, but many Japanese those have a NAZI heart. If, no any efforts are made for any changing, I am sure the Japan will never be a superpower nation, at lest politically.

Yeah, the war ended 70 odd years ago, but the memories are still fresh and Japan has a lot to apologize and compensate for before the memories will fade. Japan should be bending over backwards to regain the support of the neighboring countries, but all this nationalist/imperialist BS just brings all the memories to the forefront. I am not saying the other countries involved are doing the right thing either, but the compromises have to start somewhere and because Japan is directly responsible for the animosity in Asia, it should start with them.

Akemi Mokoto

did they forget what was the main cause of World War II? Nationalism? Nationalism leads to wars a lot and often isolationism.

Actually the first move that shoved Japan to become expansionist was protectism by the European states hording all the natural resources placing rediculous tariffs and other restrictions in trading beyond borders.

Presently that cannot happen in the modern day world so it is very unlikely that Japan will go down that road again.

“Our beautiful countryside and ocean are under threat,”

Quite right, last thing Japan needs is another nuclear screw up. Oh, he means China is the threat to the beautiful pristine unspoilt beauty of the Japanese countryside and oceans. Silly me.

Japan and the Emperor and Prime Ministers have every right to visit any shrine they may wish in their own country, each country has its own history and to honour those who give all to their country is always respectful and good.

China has border disputes and has gone to war with just about every country on its borders or threatened to. Japan is just one of them and is one who is standing up to the bully.

Western media is currently in a very low quality time it screams and shouts and makes a fuss over any issue it thinks will sell air time and ads time, and has no honour or respect or real interest in balanced reporiting any more. I no longer support any of the major networks or their biased and shallow coverage. It is a pleasure to see the reasonable and moderate treatment of news here on this site, a real pleasure.

Nothing will rise under the next government, except the deficit.

If people did something wrong and realized did something wrong, do apologize first, and then avoid to do it again.

China should set an example by leaving Tibet, East Turkestan and Inner Mongolia. They would do well to apologize to those countries once they leave and "then avoid to do it again." Maybe then, China's neighbors will have some respect for China. But don't hold your breath.

It's so sad isn't t that the political elite in Japan are so far out of step with the populace. The Democrats missed a golden opportunity to reform politics in Japan. And end to weighted-electorates would have been a great start, as well as, reform (or abolition) of the bicameral legislature to allow smoother law passing. Doubtless the dysfunctional Diet will continue to poorly serve the populace well into the 21st century... how very sad.

Scrote: as the article suggests, they will be in a situation of voting for bad instead of worse, just like us here in the US int he next presidential election. Or if you prefer, they will be voting against the current government for perceived ineptitude but don't have a choice of better on the other side. Although a stance of caution against China cannot be a bad one.

I REALLY hope this is not going to happen. Nationalism is the downfall of a country and civilization. I mean look at the US. Besides, did they forget what was the main cause of World War II? Nationalism? Nationalism leads to wars a lot and often isolationism. I don't want that. I doubt most of Japan wants that but if it happens...we can kiss one of the few remaining great nations goodbye and welcome in something nobody wants to see...Isolationism. Japan is already moving away from that label. We don't want it to move back towards it. At least, I hope not..

Apparently, Japanese do not deserved to have a decent worldwide political position. If people did something wrong and realized did something wrong, do apologize first, and then avoid to do it again. Unfortuntately, most' comments in this form simply showing that most Japanese people tend to decline to do admit the truth of history. Japanese nationalism is nothing but equals Nazi.

Howard Ster - correctiion - I meant US Reserve Funds ( multiple tasking here) . . of whics Chinba owes around 1.2 Trillions dollars and Japan close to that at over 900 million.

The delusional nutcase Abe seems to be doing quite well in the contest to become leader of the LDP, yet he is surely the worst possible choice.

"In Japan," Abe said, "there is no flag-burning, there is no harm to Chinese nationals in this country, and we should be proud of that."

Abe lies: the NHK news last night showed vandalised Chinese restaurants in Fukuoka. I have also seen videos of Japanese fascists attacking a Chinese in Shinjuku as the police stand around doing nothing. These people would deny something that was happening right in front of their faces. If, as this article suggests, the Japanese people don't agree with these right-wing lunatics, why do they keep voting for them? I suggest that many people do agree with them, but won't openly say so.

Japan would be quite vulnerable if China decided to stop rare earth exports after one of these belligerent idiots comes to power. What would they do then? Stamp their feet and wave their fists in inept rage? They all claim to want to grow the economy, but there's a good chance they will end up destroying it with their half-witted, short-sighted nationalism.

Re the above: "The war ended 67 years ago and nobody in power today had anything to do with their crimes." - That should have been in quotes.

Japanese are tired of being blamed for the actions of our ancestors.

No one's blaming any Japanese people born after 1945, that would just be stupid. What people in other countries seem to object to is that for every Japanese apology, there's some rightist LDP politician who wants to retract it because he says there's nothing to actually apologise for. Presumably the LDP don't want to lose the votes of all those old folk by acknowledging that their ideological forebears actually sent off their husbands, fathers and brothers to get slaughtered for no other reason that to satisfy the greed and ambition of a caste of corrupt, incompetent oligarchs.

The war ended 67 years ago and nobody in power today had anything to do with their crimes.

Except for trying to whitewash them like Shinzo Abe, who presumably would prefer nobody to know that his dear old grandpa was... guess what, in prison for war crimes himself.

China has territorial disputes with India, Vietnam, Philippines, Russia, Indonesia, - - most of its neighbours. In each case China is the aggressor. ................But the press overplays the Japan angle.

yuriotani:

Japanese are tired of being blamed for the actions of our ancestors.

They may well be, but then why are there so many Japanese politicians denying Nanjing, Mukden, sex slaves, rape and torture ever existed? Do you honestly expect people to trust the country when nobody here challenges these extreme right-wing views? First you're Okinawan. Then you're Japanese. Next you criticize America. Then you hope they'll help Japan in times of war. You want to start war. But then, you're just living in the comfort of America, 1000s of miles away.

While I don't like the tone adopted by the government of China and am sickened by the violence, no matter how right-wing Japan becomes, it will never be able to attack China (or Korea) like it did before - those 'golden' days are long gone, as is the Japanese economy.

Japanese are tired of being blamed for the actions of our ancestors

oh I know the feeling.

It is good that Japanese people become more nationalistic, as long as that nationalism creates more future prosperity, wealth and power. At this moment Japan is just a colony of the US, unable to defend itself and its territories! The US will Nationalism is good for Japan as long as it creates future wealth, prosperity and power! The USA will NOT interfere in a possible war for the Senkaku islands (because the US is afraid of the Chinese military which have the support of Taiwanese, Korean and ASEAN people on this issue and of the financial burden accompanying such a war against 1,5 billion Chinese). US soldiers will not die like the Imperial soldiers did for Iwo Jima... The expensive Okinawa base is useless and a total waste of money at this moment... Why not buy the Okinawa military bases (= still US territory at this moment), kick the Yankees out and man the bases with Japanese soldiers? For its prosperity and wealth Japan should aim for a an East Asian Union like the European Union does for Germany, because Japan needs the Chinese dragon. The Japanese companies suffer the most from the current problems with the Senkaku islands. China bashing solves nothing at this moment, it is instead even better to cooperate together with the Chinese military (but of course some Chinese idiotic diehards will never change...), like a joint space program (see European Space Agency) or a joint naval aircraft carrier project (see Eurofighter aircraft). The LDP leadership should change their politics and lead Japan into the 21st century, instead of staying a post-WWII mind setting!

Nationalist or imperialist? Japan is going to have to rely on all it's neighbors more and more in the coming years with the aging and declining population, yet there are all the twits in government that only seem to want to alienate and ostracize Japan from its neighbors. Japan needs to globalize, not nationalize! They should be kissing a lot of booty throughout Asia and not kicking it in attempt to gain back some respect from neighboring countries.

This is nothing new.

"Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger." - Herman Goering

Do the Japanese people want to end up like East Turkestan? Do the Japanese people want to end up like Tibet? Just throw questions like that at the Japanese people while rolling images of Chinese attacking Japanese businesses and people. Chinese belligerence will shift Japan to the right. That's a no-brainer.

Japan holds USA bonds- if Japanere ever to cash in on them - woe to the good ol' US

@semperfi > a bond is a piece of paper. it only has perceived value. the perception of value is easy to manipulate.

Agree the voters' interests are not so much geared towards foreign diplomacy/national security related matters as they are towards the more pressing economy/fiscal/energy matters. Also important to assess who among the candidates can better control the internal pressure from the veteran "kingmakers" and effectively lead the way towards a newly improved LDP. With Ishihara it will likely be the return of the old LDP where ministers will be chosen in accordance with internal "recommendations" and Ishihara will never be able to go by his own decisions. Also worth noting his loose lips will prove to be very costly for the entire nation let alone LDP. Meanwhile, Ishiba will begin by not listening to the LDP veterans but will not be able to withstand internal pressure for long, lacking Koizumi's wisdom and courage in effectively manipulating the internal conflict to gain public support in strengthening his leadership position. Which to me leaves only Abe, who may have just the right balance in handling internal pressure while maintaining his strong conviction (coming from the pride he takes in his family) to think and act purely in the best interest of the nation. While this article may be implying differently Abe is by no means a radical rightwinger in my view but more of someone with just the right conservative balance and a good enough grip on what needs to be fundamentally changed in Japan whether it be the education system or foreign diplomacy/national security policies. He should be able to do just fine with both the US and China. Just hope there is someone who can effectively support him at his side on the more pressing matters (ie economy/fiscal/energy - Hashimoto under coalition??) while also hoping his health condition holds up.

Japanese are tired of being blamed for the actions of our ancestors. The war ended 67 years ago and nobody in power today had anything to do with their crimes. So there is backlash against those who are bashing current Japan. The Chinese, Koreans and Russians have whitewashed their histories. There is nothing about the real reasons for wars of 95 and 05.

Think the LDP will win big the next election. The DPJ has failed and proven itself to be weak. Myself I am tired of being held accountable for the ancestors. China is not going to stop, their goal is to kill all of us.

I need to agree with Kari here. I am not Japanese but I visited the Yasukuni shrine out of curiosity. It is indeed a shrine dedicated to those who died for their country. If anything the leaders should be tried, not the average soldier who obeys orders. On the other hand, all countries have skeletons they need to hide. Those on the winning side get to describe their actions as rightful but using the very first weapon of mass destruction on two cities full of civilians is nothing to be proud of either. No one is really is a position to teach lessons in righteousness. Visiting that shrine or not should be considered a matter of internal affairs and China who so often criticizes the US for putting our noses in other countries internal affairs should keep out of Japan's.

With the LDP in power, we'll see more nuclear power plants, more corruption, more racist policies, more nationalism, less decentralisation and less respect internationally.

The LDP will come to you with better economic and tax policies (read: more national bonds and even higher consumption tax), with their racism and nuclear policies concealed, and many of the voters will vote for them, mainly because they're fed up with the DPJ.

To be sure, the LDP knows the business better than the DPJ, but that's because the LDP is familiar with a bad old way to hold the status quo, thanks to which the LDP and Japan would look stable (or stuck).

Ummm. You're familiar with the Treaty of Versailles, right?

You cannot seriously compare Japan, the third biggest world economy today with totally defeated, bankrupt Germany of the 1920s can you?

You appear to be the naive one here tmarie. You know how many of the soldiers that were conscripted against their wills into the World Wars ended up dieing? Many odinary young men and in cases boys lost their lives. I've already said that war criminals shouldn't be honoured, but the average soldier who died for their country should be.

To me the Yasukuni Shrine is the same as the many cemeteries and monuments around Europe that honour the war dead of the great war and WW2.

There are no arrests for racial incidents in this country.

People don't understand racism, and it's how they are taught.

As we are seeing on TV, it's a case of we-are-better-than-you.

For a nationalistic party to be voted in, Japanese see nothing wrong in that and feel it may be for the best...how wrong can they be.

Such a modern country, but so stuck in the past.

tmarie I'm one of those people that believe that no matter which country or what war was fought the people who died for their country should be honoured by their countries people and politicians, royal family etc. After all they gave the ultimate sacrifice.

I understand peoples feelings with regards to the war criminals who are enshrined there, but I feel some people are forgetting the fact that the vast majority of people enshrined were ordinary soldiers.

Let's stop playing euphemisms ......................Chinese citizens raising violent pro-China, anti-japanese riot is just as 'nationalistic".. . . Every country has some degree of "nationalism". .....................It's not a bad thing.....................It is bad when it becomes violent and threatens war-:the way the Chinese Govt now is posturing. ..................... THAT is nattionalism at the tipping point.

It's kind of hard to be too nationalistic when you're economy is swirling down the toilet and you're one of the brokest, in debtest countries in the world.

Ummm. You're familiar with the Treaty of Versailles, right?

May??? It already has risen thinks the the idiots like Ishihara and Hashimoto.

Kari, plenty of Japanese don't support the idea of the emperor or PMs visiting Yasukuni either. While no country has a "right" to tell another what to do, some countries do take it into consideration what may offend others and I'm glad that recently Japan has been on of those countries. The emperor also seems intelligent enough not to do things to offends its neighbours.

gaijinfo :It's kind of hard to be too nationalistic when you're economy is swirling down the toilet and you're one of the brokest, in debtest countries in the world.

Are you talking @ the USA ? .......................................................................................... Japan is not broke- not by a loooooooooooooong shot. ....................................................................................... Japan holds USA bonds- if Japanere ever to cash in on them - woe to the good ol' US........................................... Moreover, Japanese companies are buying up foreign ( yes ! including many American) companies that are barely trading water.

The LDP back to power - Yasukuni/the Senkakus - China and Korea protest - more nationalism - Yasukuni/the Senkakus - China and Korea protest - more nationalism - Yasukuni/the Senkakus -...

In this feedback model, only the LDP wins. The rest, including the DPJ, China, Korea, liberals and so on lose.

Many of the voters will vote for the LDP and lose themselves as collaborators at the end.

"may" The key word in all Japanese articles.

Anyway, the way Japanese politics works all three of them will have been PM by 2016 LOL! and Abe twice!

Ishihara, a former TV political reporter, has stressed the importance of dialogue with China. But last week, he said he believed it was important that the emperor be able to visit and pray at Yasukuni Shrine, which would surely upset China.

This ticked me off the most while reading the article. The emperor of Japan should be allowed to visit wherever he likes within Japan and the Chinese have no right to a say in the matter. They might like to think that they've got the right to rule and control the world but they don't. The Yasukuni Shrine is a magnificent shrine in terms of beauty despite the fact its enshrined war criminals. We need to remember that its also enshrined the soldiers and others who have died while fighting for Japan throughout the ages and they are the ones that deserve to be honoured.

"Nationalism may rise ...."

You don't say!

It's the same old song and dance, big talk, big stick, but no solutions, nothing with enough bite and the people will just go on and the Diet will just go on doing what it does, one giant cycle going round and around. And all the while nothing gets done, these politicians don't listen to the people and couldn't care less, while China and South Korea are moving towards the future, Japan is sliding more and more backwards. As long as the people take a backseat approach, nothing will ever change.

Sometimes it's best to look within before you move outward.

Japan needs to rid itself of Article 9, arm up so it can protect it's people from thugs like the PRC.

Japan needs a military that will protect it's interest overseas.

The only way that Japan can do this is to replace weak politicians with strong visionaries.

Time for a newer better approach in dealing with it's neighbor thugs.

Shinzo Abe is a has been. He'd better shut his mouth. For the rest, I can't believe Japnese people vote for those guys...

It's kind of hard to be too nationalistic when you're economy is swirling down the toilet and you're one of the brokest, in debtest countries in the world.

They'll more likely just stomp their feet and make a stink.

But then again, you never know.