New leader wants to make Japan a force

[OhioChick]

By HIROKO TABUCHI, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 10 minutes ago

TOKYO - Japan's new nationalist prime minister pledged Friday to make his country a decisive force on the international stage and push for a reduction of tensions with China and South Korea.

In his first speech before parliament since winning the premiership in a landslide vote Tuesday, Shinzo Abe also vowed to move ahead with revising the pacifist constitution and exploring a collective defense system with the United States.

Abe has struck a chord with the public by campaigning on a populist, nationalist agenda: He wants a more confident Japan that can distance itself from post-World War II guilt by amending the constitution and giving the military a bigger international profile.

"I believe it's entirely possible to create a country brimming with attractiveness and vigor, while maintaining the noble virtues of the Japanese people," he said. "I aim for a country that is trusted, revered and loved by the world and asserts its leadership."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060929/ap_on_re_as/japan_politics

[Javaman]

1. Ah yes, the geni is out of the bottle once again. nt

[MindPilot]

2. Good.This time around...

maybe they can liberate us from our tyrant.

[nealmhughes]

3. Well, they went to war with the US/UK/Netherlands in order to get

Royal Dutch Shell oil and Malasian rubber when the West cut 'em off...

Maybe they are hedging their bets about what to do when Chinese cars outpace Korean and Japanese ones...

Oh, I forgot about that ocean of oil lying under Okinawa...and the mountains of coal in Edo...