> Recent resurgence of the "national pride" thing.
I agree with this.
> The forced reinterpretation of the Constitution.
I agree that this bothers me slightly, but concede that the Japanese government can and should be able to openly modify the constitution. Article 9 isn't and shouldn't be an absolute commandment (assuming that's what you're talking about).
> Unreasonable hatred towards neighboring countries (China and Korea in particular).
Outside of extremist groups, I haven't really seen this at all. It might be more accurate to say that the government, rather than the citizens, are drumming up an opposition to push things through politically.
If anything, it seems like more people from neighboring countries carry a grudge against Japan than vice versa -- without getting into a talk about whether it's justified or should be forgotten by now etc.
> worst of all, we aren't taught anything about these Japanese atrocities at school.
This may vary depending on your curriculum and your age, especially if you're in the ゆとり教育世代. [Edit to add: Just like American adults don't really go around talking about American atrocities in daily life, Japanese people don't do that either, in my experience. But when we have had occasions to talk about that kind of thing (say, discussions about recent history, politics, Korea, or China), people have seemed to be generally knowledgeable.] I was teaching and watching classes up til a few years ago and did hear some things about the atrocities in junior high and know that most people heard more in high school, which makes sense as part of age-appropriate curriculum creation to me.
I don't think Japan is anywhere near taking a step toward the Imperial Japan in the article. Vocal and consistent opposition to attempts to get around Article 9 and that people are trying to encourage Chinese tourism in fact make me believe the opposite; Japan is (very) slowly trying to move toward a more open and global state.
I agree with this.
> The forced reinterpretation of the Constitution.
I agree that this bothers me slightly, but concede that the Japanese government can and should be able to openly modify the constitution. Article 9 isn't and shouldn't be an absolute commandment (assuming that's what you're talking about).
> Unreasonable hatred towards neighboring countries (China and Korea in particular).
Outside of extremist groups, I haven't really seen this at all. It might be more accurate to say that the government, rather than the citizens, are drumming up an opposition to push things through politically.
If anything, it seems like more people from neighboring countries carry a grudge against Japan than vice versa -- without getting into a talk about whether it's justified or should be forgotten by now etc.
> worst of all, we aren't taught anything about these Japanese atrocities at school.
This may vary depending on your curriculum and your age, especially if you're in the ゆとり教育世代. [Edit to add: Just like American adults don't really go around talking about American atrocities in daily life, Japanese people don't do that either, in my experience. But when we have had occasions to talk about that kind of thing (say, discussions about recent history, politics, Korea, or China), people have seemed to be generally knowledgeable.] I was teaching and watching classes up til a few years ago and did hear some things about the atrocities in junior high and know that most people heard more in high school, which makes sense as part of age-appropriate curriculum creation to me.
I don't think Japan is anywhere near taking a step toward the Imperial Japan in the article. Vocal and consistent opposition to attempts to get around Article 9 and that people are trying to encourage Chinese tourism in fact make me believe the opposite; Japan is (very) slowly trying to move toward a more open and global state.