Japan in danger of losing moral compass

Several factors have contributed to this. First, the US in consideration of its Cold War strategic needs made a swift change in its policy from thoroughly crippling Japan to rearming it. This about face by the US brought an abrupt stop to Japan's democratic reform and enabled the country's militarist gene to survive. The Yoshida Doctrine, which emphasized Japan's economic recovery and a reliance on US military protection at the expense of independence in foreign affairs, meant conservative Japanese governments provided long-term guidance for the public and there was little soul-searching attempted after the war.

Meanwhile, Japan's long-term dance to Washington's tune has also directly contributed to its distorted views on the postwar international order. During the Cold War era, Japan's policies were highly attuned to that of the US on major international issues. Japan gradually got used to viewing the world through Washington's eyes. But in recent years, Japan's diplomatic independence has increased, and it is becoming more inclined to insularity.

It is more difficult to change mentality than change policy. Driven by a view of the international order that is full of fallacies, Japanese right-wingers are trying to turn the struggle between right and wrong, good and evil into confrontation and hostility between East Asian countries and peoples. Japan's impatience to get rid of "postwar politics" and its ostrich beliefs and behavior will not only lead to its isolation in the international arena, but undermine the overall situation of regional peace and stability, casting a shadow over the future of East Asia.

At present, Japan's row with its neighbors is developing into confrontation with the international community as a whole. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's recent remarks urging Tokyo's political leaders to do some deep introspection over its past provoked a strong reaction from the Japanese government. This in turn recalled the Japanese delegation's withdrawal from the League of Nations Assembly in 1933 and the country's subsequent increase of non-rational constituents in its strategic decisions. Such non-rationality has evolved into a gambler mentality where all risks perish together.

The international community needs to pay close attention to the course the Japanese government is charting for the country.

The author is deputy director of the Institute of Japanese Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

(China Daily 09/04/2013 page8)