Japan policy riles critics

Japan policy riles critics

The decision by the Japanese government to give itself new defence privileges has advantages but they are outweighed by the negative. On one hand, the new security package will allow Japan to better assume a balanced role in the world. For 70 years since World War Two ended, the country has been unable to take part in conflicts. Yet Japan remains a very special case, particularly in Asia. Overall, Tokyo's long-time refusal to address its war-time actions honestly will now turn the new defence policies against the country.

The Diet passed the new security law last week. It means, to be blunt, that Japan can wage war again. It overthrows and discards the pacifist policies that were first enforced on Japan by US conquest. Those were then adopted voluntarily by the country as its national strategy. Nationalist Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his government forced through the new law under strong opposition both in parliament and among the public.

There will be three reactions internationally. In many countries, including Thailand, the response will be largely neutral. The second world war has been over for decades, and only a tiny percentage of people recall it directly. Japan is a sovereign nation, and free to make its own defence policies. In other countries, the response is likely to be positive. There, the new Japanese security law will be seen as enabling the country to assume a more responsible role in the world. Japanese troops stationed overseas as peacekeeping forces, for example, will be viewed positively.

Many, perhaps most of Japan's neighbours will, however, adopt a highly negative view. From Korea and China to the Philippines and Singapore, massive mistreatment by military-run Japan and its armed forces is recalled viscerally and institutionally. The atrocities, the colonisation, the terrible treatment of civilians all amount to very bitter history. These countries will not accept Japan's new and self-appointed military role without comment.

An early example already has come from The Korea Times. It said on Monday Koreans fear they are watching "their former colonial ruler, which has become increasingly unrepentant about its wrongdoing here, become its former self again". It's a particularly worrying and tricky situation for Seoul. Realistically, South Korea might have to fight once again with a bellicose North. Now it has to wonder if US forces might call on Japan to provide troops to fight in such a conflict.

This is not a scenario Korea wants to confront. Nor, for that matter, do any other East Asian countries, including Thailand. Mr Abe has said he wants to make Japan "fully normal". By that, it is clear he means that he will not stop with the new authorisation to use Japanese troops in self-defence. Making it legal for Japanese troops to be stationed abroad is a most likely next step.

The problem with this is clear. Japan's neighbours, starting with China, have no desire to see Japan assume a more aggressive role in the world. The use of Japanese forces in a UN peacekeeping role, for example, is unthinkable to Korea, China, Taiwan and others.

All of this negativity and opposition results from Japan's failure to atone for its conduct in World War Two. It is currently backing away even from the mild and ineffective apologies it has made. Mr Abe could try to show Japan's repentance. He will not do so, and is responsible for the criticism that will follow.

Editorial

Bangkok Post editorial column

These editorials represent Bangkok Post thoughts about current issues and situations.

Email : anchaleek@bangkokpost.co.th

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