I wish to express concern regarding Tomohiro Osaki's Jan. 5 front-page article, "Patriotic few battle addiction to peace." Already the headline is problematic. Using the term "addiction" to describe Japan's pacifism implies that it is somehow a harmful thing that must be eradicated.
And to suggest that the young people in the article with different views are patriots is to adopt the narrative of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and others in government who view those who oppose the bullish, pro-war government agenda as unpatriotic and anti-Japanese.
Contrary to what is suggested in the article, Abe and his minions have no desire to improve the sorry state of modern history instruction in our schools. Rather, they wish to twist the account of history to whitewash Japanese conduct during World War II, and to make the war out as a just crusade.
But their vision of war in practice has nothing to do with protecting our country, and everything to do with protecting corporate profits: Witness the recent talk about sending Self-Defense Force units to the Strait of Hormuz, and removing export bans on weapons.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.
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