Rising nationalism in Japan - history re-visited?
If last decade of the 20th century marked the 'end of history', is the first decade of this century going to be one of ‘history re-visited’? Rising nationalism in Japan is a trend that has largely been ignored in the contemporary world's obsession with the wars being fought in the name of religion. Or, is it too early to call it a trend?
Japan is seeing a revival of nationalist sentiments after half a century of ‘pacifism’ imposed by the US-drafted post-war constitution. After series of visits by the former Prime Minister Koijumi to a controversial war shrine that had evoked angry reactions from neighbours China and South Korea, there are more subtle signs of a shift in national psyche that wants to shed the post-war guilt, build up a sense of patriotism and national pride and have a larger role in international military operations.
Japan’s parliament has enacted a new law upgrading the Defense Agency to a full ministry for the first time since World War II and also passed a new education reform bill that requires schools to teach patriotism.
The upgrading of the Defense Agency under the Cabinet Office to a full ministry gives Japan's generals greater budgetary powers and prestige. This comes in the backdrop of deep concern in the country over North Korean pursuit of missile and nuclear weapons development programme which some observers believe may push Japan to go nuclear sooner or later.
Japan’s military has maintained a low profile under the US-drafted pacifist constitution which prevents Japan from using force to settle international disputes. Tokyo maintains fighting forces only for self-defense and U.S. has some 50,000 troops in Japan under a security alliance. Of late, there has been a discernible shift and Japan seeks a greater role in global military co-operation. Japanese troops have begun participating in international military operations, including in Iraq.
The education reform bill, the first change to Japan's main education law since 1947, calls on schools to “to cultivate an attitude that respects tradition and culture, that loves the nation and homeland.” Critics say this reminds of Japan's war-era education system, in which children were instructed to support the country's imperialist military and sacrifice themselves for the emperor and nation.
Japan is seeing a revival of nationalist sentiments after half a century of ‘pacifism’ imposed by the US-drafted post-war constitution. After series of visits by the former Prime Minister Koijumi to a controversial war shrine that had evoked angry reactions from neighbours China and South Korea, there are more subtle signs of a shift in national psyche that wants to shed the post-war guilt, build up a sense of patriotism and national pride and have a larger role in international military operations.
Japan’s parliament has enacted a new law upgrading the Defense Agency to a full ministry for the first time since World War II and also passed a new education reform bill that requires schools to teach patriotism.
The upgrading of the Defense Agency under the Cabinet Office to a full ministry gives Japan's generals greater budgetary powers and prestige. This comes in the backdrop of deep concern in the country over North Korean pursuit of missile and nuclear weapons development programme which some observers believe may push Japan to go nuclear sooner or later.
Japan’s military has maintained a low profile under the US-drafted pacifist constitution which prevents Japan from using force to settle international disputes. Tokyo maintains fighting forces only for self-defense and U.S. has some 50,000 troops in Japan under a security alliance. Of late, there has been a discernible shift and Japan seeks a greater role in global military co-operation. Japanese troops have begun participating in international military operations, including in Iraq.
The education reform bill, the first change to Japan's main education law since 1947, calls on schools to “to cultivate an attitude that respects tradition and culture, that loves the nation and homeland.” Critics say this reminds of Japan's war-era education system, in which children were instructed to support the country's imperialist military and sacrifice themselves for the emperor and nation.
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