Japan to Shed Pacifism?

From the Telegraph:

Japan's ruling party unveiled plans yesterday to revise its constitutional commitment to pacifism and allow the country to establish armed forces "for self defence".

The proposals would end Japan's renunciation of the right to maintain an army, as enshrined in the constitution imposed by America after the Second World War.
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The constitution currently states: "The Japanese people for ever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.

"Land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained."

The new draft keeps the commitment to peace but recognises the military as crucial to maintaining it.

It says: "In order to secure peace and the independence of our country as well as the security of the state and the people, military forces for self-defence shall be maintained. In addition, the defence forces can take part in efforts to maintain international peace and security under international co-operation."

In the 240,000-strong Self Defence Forces, Japan already has a military in all but name. But constitutional revision would regularise its status, sweep away restrictions and enable it to play a bigger role. The defence minister would also be upgraded to a member of the cabinet.

Generally speaking, I think this is a good idea. We will need Japan as a strong military ally in order to counterbalance China's growing ambitions.

But, we must be cautious. The lessons of WWII are still valid. And it appears that at least one school district in Japan needs a reminder... This from the Christian Science Monitor:

For example, last month Japanese leader Junichiro Koizumi positioned his ultranationalist protégé Shinzo Abe to be his successor, after Mr. Koizumi steps down in September. Mr. Abe, like Tokyo's hugely popular Mayor Ishihara, is a fan of the Tsukuru-Kai history textbooks that seek to restore a proud Japan by rewriting the past. Mr. Ishihara, for his part, directly appoints all six Tokyo school board members.

Tokyo schools reflect nationalist views: children pledging allegiance to the emperor as in the 1930s, school board members supporting Yasakuni shrine visits, and curriculums failing to mention Japan's invasion of Korea or China.

Masuda, for her part, insists it is wrong to teach untruths to students, for any reason.

"I feel it is my job to tell the truth, it is what I spend my life doing," she told the Monitor. "When something looks crooked I don't like it. I feel I want to make it straight. If you are straight it is better for everyone.

"I explain and teach the past. But I am now suspended as a history teacher for doing that, even though they say it is for administrative discipline."

While I support Japan's remilitarization, I think it is important for Japan to remember history correctly. Else they will be doomed to repeat history.