On election's eve, Japan's conservatives appear poised for dramatic comeback

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5. Why Japan’s Right Turn Could Be Trouble for the U.S.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/12/16/why-japan-s-right-turn-could-be-trouble-for-the-u-s.html

Why Japan’s Right Turn Could Be Trouble for the U.S.

Dec 16, 2012 4:45 AM EST

A militaristic coalition is poised for gains in Sunday’s elections, behind right-wing former governor Shintaro Ishihara. Why America has much at stake with its closest Asian ally.

The Rising Sun may be making a comeback in Japan. Less than a century ago, this nationalist and militarist symbol flew over Imperialist Japan as it was invading countries all over Asia. It is now popularized by a militaristic political coalition that might win election on Sunday.

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Having just returned from Tokyo, I can tell you that many in the Japanese news media have expressed concern since the Nov. 17 announcement by Ishihara that his newly formed Sunrise Party (reminiscent of Japan’s Imperialist past) would merge forces with the Restoration Party, led by Toru Hashimoto, Osaka’s conservative mayor. Calls made by Ishihara for a “new military” are alarming to many Japanese, and the Chinese blogosphere has been fretful about it.

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Politicians like Ishihara (who just stepped down as governor of Tokyo to run for parliament) want to scuttle Japan’s pacifist constitution, remilitarize—including pursuing nuclear weapons—and take a more belligerent stance against China. These developments should be of grave concern for Americans because we have a security treaty with Japan promising to protect our ally.

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Kathryn Ibata-Arens serves on the bilateral U.S.-Japan Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council and is an associate professor at DePaul University in Chicago, where she teaches Asian business, politics, and economy.