Thread: Japan rolls back pacifist pillars

Japan rolls back pacifist pillars
POSTED: 9:08 p.m. EST, December 15, 2006

TOKYO, Japan (AP) -- Japan's conservative government chipped away at two pillars of the country's postwar pacifism, requiring schools to teach patriotism and upgrading the Defense Agency to a full ministry for the first time since World War II.

The measures, enacted Friday in a vote by Parliament's upper house, form key elements of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to bolster Japan's international military role, build up national pride and distance the country from its post-1945 war guilt.

The votes were important victories for Abe's government, which has suffered sharp drops in popularity polls since taking office in September over the perception that he has not paid enough attention to domestic issues.

The education reform bill triggered controversy, both because of its sensitive content and because of disclosures this week that the government had planted officials posing as ordinary citizens at "town meetings" discussing the measure.

The scandal and other issues inspired a spate of no-confidence motions against Abe and some members of his Cabinet, but they were crushed in Parliament, which is dominated by the ruling party coalition.

The upgrading of the Defense Agency under the Cabinet Office to a full ministry passed Parliament without significant opposition, propelled by deep concern in Japan over North Korean missile and nuclear weapons development.

The upgrade, to be effected early next year, gives Japan's generals greater budgetary powers and prestige -- a reversal for a military establishment that has kept a low profile since being discredited by Japan's disastrous wartime defeat.

The education measure, 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 home country."

The reform reflected concerns voiced by Abe and strident Education Minister Bunmei Ibuki that Japan's long stretch of economic prosperity has eroded the morals and cooperative spirit of prewar Japanese.

"The new education law will allow children to acquire a good understanding of their heritage and become intelligent and dignified Japanese," ruling party lawmaker Hiroo Nakashima said during the upper house debate.

Critics, however, attacked the move as harkening back to 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.

Opponents on Friday voiced fears that the changes could lead to schools grading students on their patriotic fervor -- possibly as a prelude to making Japan an aggressive nation once again.

"The government is putting the future of Japanese children at risk and turning Japan into a country that wages war abroad," said Ikuko Ishii, a Communist Party lawmaker.

The call for more patriotism in the schools coincides with a push by some local governments to crack down on teachers and students who refuse to stand for the national flag or sing an anthem to the emperor at school ceremonies.

Postwar Japan has been solidly pacifist under the 1947 U.S.-drafted Constitution, which foreswears Japan from using force to settle international disputes, and Tokyo maintains fighting forces only for self-defense. The U.S. bases some 50,000 troops in Japan under a security alliance.


http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/1 ... index.html

Let's congratulate Japan. I wish we could elect some one to revive the patriotism in this country.

It's a wonder Japan ever suceeded, without all the diversity and multiculturism that is dumped on us and yet they have the smartest kids in the world. They are dignified and proud people while the U.S. slides into the slimepits of the Third World and PC correctness. People like Jeb Bush talk about celebrating "diversity" and yet I defy anyone to name ONE thing multiculturism and this so-called "diversity" has brought to this country that is positive. The people that worship at that "altar" of diversity are the ones fartherest removed from the effects that we all suffer. They praise it from their walled-in worlds and ignore the reality, all in the name of being PC.......DO NOT OFFEND ANYONE....(unless they are white or Christian).

Just a thought, what will become of 'homeland security' once the NAU becomes reality? Already our 'homeland' is become a no-mans land. Japan is making a very wise move in teaching patriotism. Unfortunately for the patriots in this country, they are soon to be outnumbered by invaders, their sympathizers and the 'whats-the-use-to-even-bother' crowd.

Originally Posted by gofer

It's a wonder Japan ever suceeded, without all the diversity and multiculturism that is dumped on us and yet they have the smartest kids in the world. They are dignified and proud people while the U.S. slides into the slimepits of the Third World and PC correctness. People like Jeb Bush talk about celebrating "diversity" and yet I defy anyone to name ONE thing multiculturism and this so-called "diversity" has brought to this country that is positive. The people that worship at that "altar" of diversity are the ones fartherest removed from the effects that we all suffer. They praise it from their walled-in worlds and ignore the reality, all in the name of being PC.......DO NOT OFFEND ANYONE....(unless they are white or Christian).

All we ever hear is that diversity makes us stronger. But it doesn't seem that way to me.