finally, a japan that can say "no!" to western double standards

are the japanese uniquely villainous (ha, compared to the brits? you must be kidding!)

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/284af0d2-0138-11e4-a938-00144feab7de.html?ftcamp=crm/email/201473/nbe/Comment/product&siteedition=uk#axzz36NmTXfU3

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Pacifist Japan is inching towards being 'normal'

By David PillingAuthor alerts

To say Tokyo should be denied a right granted to others must imply it is unrepentant

©Reuters

Shinzo Abe

Japan's cabinet this week tore up what remains of the country's war-renouncing constitution by declaring Tokyo's right to defend its allies. Japan will thus join the ranks of other, presumably war-rejoicing, nations who maintain the same right, including known rabble-rousers such as New Zealand and Sweden.

In fact, almost all nations retain the right to what is technically known as collective self-defence. Germany, like Japan on the wrong side of the second world war, has actually been obliged to defend its allies since the west joined Nato in 1955. Only the likes of Costa Rica, whose constitution abolished the army, hold on unflinchingly to pacifist principles.

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ON THIS STORY

• Japan defence fuels constitution debate
• Global Insight Abe's pacifism battle
• Abe to ease curbs on Japan's armed forces

ON THIS TOPIC

• Japan resists looser immigration policy
• Abe seeks support to alter military role
• Asian diplomacy Pivotal moment
• Japan to end ban on weapons exports

DAVID PILLING

• Hong Kong's democratic aims
• Abe's third arrow
• India's urbanisation
• 'North Korea', by Paul French

Of leading nations, then, Japan has been an aberration. We may lament the fact that yet another country has declared itself ready, if necessary, to wage war. We may abhor the nationalistic rhetoric of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. However, we should recognise that all the country has done is inch a fraction closer towards becoming a "normal" nation.

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sent from samsung galaxy note, so please excuse brevity