Is Japanese Imperialism Coming Back?

Members of Japan's maritime self-defence forces: Abe believes Japan's national interest is existentially linked to freedom of navigation and open sea lanes around the Senkakus and elsewhere. Photograph: Toru Hanai/Reuters

Is Shinzo Abe's 'New Nationalism' A Throwback To Japanese Imperialism? -- Simon Tisdall, The Guardian

The escalating standoff in the Pacific is seen by Beijing and Seoul as proof that Japan is reviving its military mindset

The deepening confrontation between Japan and its giant neighbour, China, over a disputed island chain, which this week sucked in US military forces flying B-52 bombers, holds no terrors for Kenji Fujii, captain of the crack Japanese destroyer JS Murasame.

As a battleship-grey drizzle sweeps across Yokosuka harbour, home port to the Japan maritime self-defence force and the US Seventh Fleet, Fujii stands four-square on his helicopter deck, a totemic red Japanese sun-ray ensign flapping at the flagstaff behind him. His stance exudes quiet purposefulness.

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My Comment: I have always found the Japanese to be very nationalistic .... but I have also found the Koreans, Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipinos, etc. ... to be just as nationalistic. But will this lead to what Japan did in Asia the first half of 20th century .... I doubt it. The geopolitical situation is different, and Japan is not the "top country" in Asia .... that distinction belongs to China.