Regarding the Dec. 13 editorial, "An education in violence": It doesn't take a Harvard economist to know that the peak of physical strength begins in middle school and much of this has no outlet for release. A highly regimented society like Japan only forces everyone to come out like straitjacketed sausages. If Japan had a history of true pacifism, I would suggest a two- or three-year conscription period starting in middle school, but because of Japan's war atrocities and perceived lack of remorse for them, that would only invite suspicion from neighbors. . . . Not even Bushido, the tea ceremony or traditional arts can contain this (youthful) aggression.
shui bin chen
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