‘Tolerant’ Washington Brings Trouble

America has always wanted to use Japan to contain China. Under Washington’s palliative care, the Japanese right wing’s attempts to “revive militarism” have been exposed. Shinzo Abe, despite international opposition, flagrantly visited the Yasukuni Shrine. Through a combination of [Abe’s] words and actions, Tokyo sent a dangerous message of recklessness to the world. The U.S. Department of Defense canceled a conference call with Japan’s defense minister, demonstrating the United States’ opposition and strong dissatisfaction with Abe and [his] worshipping war criminals.

During World War II the United States, Russia and China, along with other countries, banded together against the invading Japanese army. After the war, the United States attempted to implement effective governance in Japan. Seventy percent of Japanese people believe that the U.S. exercised colonial rule in Japan. The “resurrection” of militarism threatens the security of both the Asia-Pacific region and the United States. Washington has thus invited deep trouble.

Shinzo Abe’s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine is provocative to China, South Korea and other Asian countries, and it also represents discontentment toward Washington. Shinzo Abe weighed his possibilities before worshipping the war criminals, while the United States “expressed concerns and hopes for China, Japan and Korea as well as other parties to exercise restraint and avoid the further deterioration of things.” Even if China or Korea protests, there is no need to fear. During World War II, there was a disparity between the [opposing] military forces when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Japan dared to cause the death of 6,000 U.S. soldiers in the sea, highlighting the Japanese right wing’s tendency to “overestimate themselves and underestimate the opponent.” Today Shinzo Abe is repeating the same mistakes as our ancestors, who overestimated themselves, leading Abe to fall into decline like the rest of humanity. Abe’s worshipping of war criminals has made Washington even more anxious than Beijing at this revival of Japan’s militarism.

Exposing the Aggressive Gene

Looking carefully at Abe’s National Security Strategy, National Defense Program and Midterm Defense Program reveals the thick smell of gunpowder. Abe not only wants to strengthen the military, but also pressure China, fully exposing his aggressive gene. Abe repeatedly has acted as a thief crying thief, accusing China of having the “power to change the status quo” while covering his guilt and adamantly professing his innocence. Japan’s current economic malaise and serious diplomatic difficulties are now at hand in light of the Yasukuni Shrine [visit], revealing to the world the great danger of Abe. The United States’ Christian Science Monitor claimed that “after a year of focusing on the economy, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is finally baring his nationalist teeth,” sending out a dangerous signal to the world.

Japan’s trade with China in 2012 totaled $329.4 billion. China is an important market for Japanese goods and the huge numbers of Chinese tourists shopping in Japan also have a strong impact on the economy. The Japanese economy has continued to decline even in the face of new support. Sino-Japanese tensions have caused the Japanese economic recovery to face new, enormous risks. In fact, ever since Japan staged the Diaoyu Island purchase farce, Chinese and Japanese companies have undergone unprecedented suffering. After Abe visited the Yasukuni Shrine, protests across the world have undoubtedly been a nightmare for the Japanese business community. Abe’s words and actions have caused Japan to suffer through huge business losses, [with Abe] acting as a true traitor to his nation.