Japanese rightwingers a threat.

Japanese rightwingers a threat
Updated: 2013-01-09 08:07
( China Daily)


Comment on "Japan still haunted by the idea of militarism" (China Daily, Dec 20)

I agree with everything the author, Tom Clifford, has said in his article. There is no doubt that "there are disturbing similarities" between the rise of Japanese militarism in the 1930s and recent developments. The world knows full well the disastrous consequences of Japan's militarism for China, Asia and the rest of the world, including Japan itself.

But there are three major differences between now and the 1930s, which the Japanese should reflect on.

First, China is no longer the weak, divided and virtually rudderless country it was in the 1930s. China today is a united and confident country that has overtaken Japan to become the second largest economy in the world.

Second, neither is the rest of Asia a collection of backward countries controlled by Western colonial powers. Instead, it is, generally speaking, a group of economically dynamic and mostly politically stable states.

Finally, Japan is no longer a politically dynamic society. Rather it is a country with the largest aging population in Asia that has failed to educate its youth on the tragedy Japanese militarists brought down on their own country in their bid to conquer the rest of Asia through war and torture. As the old English saying goes, those who fail to understand the lessons of their own history are destined to repeat them.

Ross Grainger,


    Southernglory1    2013-01-09 21:48
     Chinese people not only in China but also in other parts of Asia especially in South East Asia had suffered enough of Japanese atrocities in the past. The Chinese people must not allow the Japanese militants to rise up again. The bankrupt Americans are playing with fire in a dangerous manner in supporting the right wing Japanese militarists to confront China as its proxy. China should be highly and fully prepared for an all out total war against the Japs and the sinful and desperate American warmongers. China must be prepared to destroy all the Japanese and American cities and military stations wherever they may be with atomic and hydrogen bombs. It is time to let the Japs and the Americans know that we Chinese have suffered enough from their aggressions and we will retaliate against them without mercy. If they want to destroy the world, let it be.