Latest News:  

English>>World

Japan is moving away from goal of "normal country"

By Wang Haiqing, Wu Xia (Xinhua)

07:49, June 19, 2013

BEIJING, June 18 (Xinhua) -- For decades, Japan has been aspiring to become a "normal country" politically. But Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is apparently moving the country toward the opposite direction.

He has angered many people in neighboring countries and around the world with revisionist comments on Japan's war crimes during World War II.

Such remarks, in an attempt to whitewash the country's militarist past or even to deny aggression, coincided with a notable resurgence in right-wing extremism in the country.

Over the weekend, hundreds of right-wing extremists rallied in Korean Town near Tokyo's Shin-Okubo Station, waving flags of the Imperial Japanese Army and chanting explicit hate slogans.

The area, once a popular destination for Japanese fans of Korean pop culture, has been a target of right-wing extremists since February. Shop owners have been forced to close during the rallies.

It is easy to find a connection between the rise of such movements and Abe's pampering as well as the Japanese authorities's inaction to curb them.

If a similar rally took place in Europe, said the Tokyo Shinbun newspaper, the sponsors would be held legally responsible for inciting racial hatred. However, there is no such law in Japan, it commented.

After World War II, fanning racial hatred and discrimination is deemed a crime in Europe and many other countries in the world. Turning a blind eye to anti-Korean rallies in Tokyo makes it harder for Japan to be seen as a "normal country."

In a "normal country," the government will not tolerate xenophobic rallies, nor allow distortion of facts in history textbooks. Such a government will not be dubious over wartime sex slaves and will not allow its officials to pay respect to Class-A war criminals at the Yasukuni Shrine.

Abe has also been talking about revising Japan's pacifist constitution in an effort to make the Self-Defense Forces a full national army. The aim is obviously to beef up its military might, especially offensive weapons.

The many abnormal behaviors of Japan under Abe's leadership are dangerous signs and could derail its efforts to become a "normal country." Pandering to revival of militarism threatens to challenge post-war international order and take the country even further from its goal.

A nation that does not have the courage to reflect on its past will not be able to move forward. Abe has much to learn from Japan's abnormal past to define the correct steps toward a "normal country."

We recommend:

Protesters stage anti-gov't rally in Bangkok

World Naked Bike Ride kicks off in Vancouver

Security tightened in Pakistan after bomb attack

'50th Exhibition of classic vintage cars kicks off

Beatles' wax figures exhibited

Pole Dance National Day marked in Mexico

Email|Print|Comments(Editor:MaXi、Zhang Qian)

Related Reading

Leave your comment0 comments

  1. Name

  

Selections for you


  1. Special operation members in training

  2. Venezuelan Army School boat visits Cuba

  3. 50th Int'l Paris Air Show kicks off

  4. Heatweave overwhelms Shanghai, Yangzhou

  5. Photos: The ordinary love

  6. China’s weekly story (2013.6.7-6.14)

  7. Amazing Narati Scenic Spot in Xinjiang

  8. Top 10 highest-paid athletes

  9. China is the largest buyer of high-end cameras

  10. ATC Show 2013 closes in Beijing

Most Popular

Opinions

  1. Risks, opportunities in oil, gas sector: E&Y
  2. Creative industries go high-tech and high end
  3. Why fear and loathing of an IPO?
  4. US public ready to be fooled again on Iran
  5. Weibo draws more than just locals
  6. Keeping a watchful eye on Japan’s 'new cold war'
  7. In praise of graffiti and holiday photos
  8. The thinking behind U.S. surveillance programs
  9. China's space program less costly
  10. SCO chief lauds Harbin fair's co-op contribution

What’s happening in China

Sweating at Yoga club: white collars' new choice after work

  1. Temperature in Shanghai reaches 37 °C
  2. 1st 3D drive-in theatre of Fujian Province opens
  3. Beijing on alert for Middle East virus
  4. Torrential rain affects over 17,000 in Xinjiang
  5. 'Gay' wives are anything but gay