Doug’s Dynamic Drivel

Asia Times Online reports that Japan is rapidly militarizing itself again and may join the nuclear club. The reason being put forth for this is the missle and likely nuclear developments in North Korea. The thought of a rearmed Japan is scary enough but one with nukes is a horror story.

It’s been 61 years since the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and during that time Japan has made great strides through its American imposed consitution towards pacifism. I can only believe though that those strides are only on the surface. You do not wipe out millenia of martial culture in six decades. Throughout Japanese culture the warrior is still revered in many ways. It’s important to remember that the disbanding of the samurai culture and the start of the industrial culture did not start until the Mejii restoration which began in 1868, a mere 138 years ago. It was the way of the samurai that led to Japan’s conflicts in the 2th Century and their attempt to conquer Asia along with their utter contempt for all things not Japanese. Today this is reflected in the work ethic in Japan with the man being the warrior that works himself to death for his feudal lord, the corporation. More blatently you see it in the attendance at the Yasukuni shrine , a shrine dedicated to revering Japan’s war criminals, by leading politicians, particularly Prime Ministers. No, the warrior spirit has not left Japan, not in the slightest and the thought of Japan having nukes scares me far more than the thought of Iran or North Korea having them does.

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