Is Japan returning to nationalism?

seaeagle

This makes me feel a bit uneasy. There are a lot of WW2 veterans in my area. I'm sure quite a few would have suffered cruelty at the hands of Japanese during the war:

BBC NEWS - Japan patriot bill clears house

Quote:

Japan's lower house of parliament has passed a bill encouraging teachers to instil patriotism and respect for tradition in their students.

The bill, which will now go to the upper house, would change the country's education law for the first time since it was enacted in 1947.

Opponents fear the move could help fan a resurgence of nationalism.

They are wary because Japan's military leaders used patriotism to justify the expansionism which led to World War II.

The bill calls on teachers to instil thinking among students "respecting tradition and culture and loving the nation and homeland." (continued)

Making patriotism "compulsory" plus efforts to change the constitution to allow the military to be used outside of Japan must be worrying for not only the mainly pacifist population, but neighbouring countries as well.

ploesch · Joined: Aug 22, 2003 Posts: 4060

I was reading about this awhile ago. There is a strong nationalist movement in Japan. They feel it's time that they took responsibility for themselves, and they want to halt the erosion of their culture which has happened since WW2.

I'm not sure mandating teaching patriotism is the way to go, but it's a better alternative to having a bunch of citizens that think badly of the country no matter what it does like we have here in the US.

seaeagle

Maybe they're just doing it a decade or so too early. If they wait until most of the generation who suffered under their rule (both local & foreign) during the war are gone, then they might get more acceptance.

We actually had some people campaigning a few years ago to let expatriate Japanese & German soldiers march in our ANZAC Day parade (our veterans' march). They thought bygones should be bygones - forgive & forget. It horrified a lot of people at the time, and old soldiers & their families were ringing up the radio stations in tears, because the memories of their terrible treatment & torture were brought back. Needless to say, they were not given permission to march. As far as I'm aware, the only former enemy on the battlefield we allow to march are the Turks from WW1, because they fought bravely & honourably (they kicked our butts at Gallipoli) & were well respected by our soldiers. Even then it took nearly 80 years for them to be given permission (their family/descendents can march in their honour).

I don't think most Japanese think badly of their country. I think it's more that certain sections of the population can't accept that society changes over time.

I don't believe patriotism should be a compulsory lesson. A nation has to earn patriotism, not enforce it. I've always been wary of "too much" patriotism. There's a fine line between patriotism & nationalism.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with teaching understanding of tradition & culture.

nlinecomputers

Think this might be more of response to issues with China and North Korea? I would think having neighbors that put up a ruckus with flashing about there Nuclear power would make Japan worried. (After all they are the only nation to have had a nuclear weapon used against them.)

seaeagle

You've hit the nail very much on the head on that aspect. At the moment Japan's constitution only permits their military to be used in defence if attacked. They want the capacity to attack an imminent threat. Much of the population is actually against that, but I can see the reasoning behind the leadership wanting that option available to them. Unfortunately, Crazy Kim seems to have got the bomb at a time when there are still plenty of people alive in Japan and surrounding nations who remember the war all too well. There would be a lot less resistance if they waited a few more years, but I don't think they can afford to take that risk.

I am still against the "teaching" of patriotism - but I consider that to be an issue separate to the above.

seaeagle

They passed the laws to expand the role of the military & teach patriotism in the classroom:

Japan Takes Steps Away From Postwar Pacifism - New York Times

ploesch · Joined: Aug 22, 2003 Posts: 4060

I don't see love of country equating with expansionists Doctrines. It will however help the people to bring back some of their culture, which is the likely goal. Since WW2 Japan's culture has been all but destroyed, and they had a very rich culture. It's worth preserving for sure.

Nothing will ever be as it is, the emperor is a figurehead, and the people can vote for their leaders.