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An essay is presented which explores Japanese foreign policy under the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the rule of the Liberal Democratic Party. Emphasis is given to topics such as support for U.S. military intervention in global conflicts, relations with China, and Abe's focus on national security. Other topics include re-militarization, nationalism, and the legacy of Japanese war crimes.

The article considers an increase in nationalism in Japan and its effects on that country's politics and foreign relations. The growth of the overtly nationalistic Japan Restoration Party (JRP) political party is discussed. Nationalistic statements made by Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Shinzo Abe, favored to become Prime Minister following December 16, 2012 elections are examined. An increase in hostility towards China and maritime boundary disputes between the two countries are noted.

The article discusses the rebirth of Japanese nationalism. In the years since World War II, Japanese nationalism has been widely denounced and debated within Japan and throughout Asia. Historians track the emergence of Japanese nationalism to the Tokugawa era, which began in 1603. However, it was only during the Meiji period that Japanese nationalism took on its modern form as a philosophy with fascist underpinnings and as a movement that would cause instability throughout the region and the world. Today, open calls for Japan to acquire nuclear weapons provide evidence of a new nationalism. As a result of shifts in Japan, various nationalist positions once considered radical are no longer considered outlandish. Despite the developments, much of the world has yet to notice the rise of Japanese nationalism. Narrow focus leads foreigners to overlook the real sources and manifestations of contemporary Japanese nationalism. Both democratic and economic trends have contributed to a more aggressive-minded population. The least understood element of the nationalist agenda is its economic aspect. Economic reform was crucial to the growth of Japanese nationalism in the 1920s and 1930s. Today's nationalists and the Japanese public in general also understand that their country must rectify its economy if it is to regain its international leadership position.

The article focuses on the status of Japan, which desires a more typical foreign and defense policy as it regains economic security. By 2014, 8,000 U.S. marines are scheduled to leave Okinawa bases for Guam, an American dependency. Relations between China and Japan are discussed in depth, as well as Japanese nationalism.

The author suggests that the Japanese will no longer accept the assumption that it is forever ineligible for its own form of nationalism due to its war guilt. Japan would like to move away from a national identity founded mostly on its economic achievements. Views by the "Wall Street Journal" and the International Atomic Energy Agency on Japan and nuclear arms are given.

The article discusses politics and government in Japan as of November, 2012, focusing on the potential impact of anticipated shifts in power in 2013. Topics include Japan's foreign relations with South Korea and China, the Japanese economy, nationalism, and the politician Shinzo Abe. Tensions between political parties including the Liberal Democratic Party, the Japan Restoration Party, and the Democratic Party of Japan are mentioned.

The article examines politics and government in Japan. A split within the governing Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) created by an increase in the sales tax proposed by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is discussed. The use of nationalism as a political asset by the opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is examined, particularly a proposal to alter the country's constitution.

The article discusses the policies and views of Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe regarding Shinto. Topics addressed include Abe's piety within the Japanese religion, associations between the religion and Japanese nationalism, and debate within Japan's political sphere regarding whether state-support of the revival of Shinto would be a good thing for the country.

The article discusses relations between South Korea and Japan. A long and tedious disagreement over sovereignty erupted into open anger recently after Shimane, a Japanese prefecture, passed a bill designating February 22nd as "Takeshima day", to mark the date in 1905 when Japan first claimed some volcanic islets that lie between Korea, where they are known as Tokdo, and Japan, where they are called Takeshima. Outraged South Koreans responded with a show of nationalistic fervour. The government fulminated that Japan's claim was tantamount to invasion. Despite four decades of ever-closer bilateral ties, and trade now worth almost $70 billion, Japan and South Korea have notoriously prickly relations. Although the first historical references identify the islands as belonging to an ancient Korean kingdom, after Japan's annexation of the peninsula at the beginning of the 20th century they became part of its imperial territory until the end of the second world war. Beyond wounded pride, South Korea has some economic reasons for maintaining its claim.

Focuses on Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and his proposed visit to the Yasukuni shrine in August 2001. Expectation that the visit will provoke protests; Efforts of Koizumi to promote a more active role for Japan in its security alliance with the United States; Background on Koizumi's conservative roots and nationalist ideas; Topic of international complaints about revisions to Japanese history textbooks.

Focuses on efforts of Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to amend Article 9 of the constitution to allow Japan to have an army rather than self-defense forces. Concern of neighboring countries about Japan maintaining armed forces and Koizumi's pledge to visit Yasukuni shrine, which is a symbol for nationalism.

Reports on criticism of Japan's Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori from within his own political party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Statements by Mori which have indicated that he favors the nationalism of pre-World War II Japan and emperor worship; The rate at which Mori's popularity has fallen; Fear among the LDP that it will lose its ruling position in Japanese politics.

The article focuses on the popularity of the film "Eien no Zero" ("The Eternal Zero") in Japan in 2014, which depicts a kamikaze pilot during World War II. Topics include why young Japanese have made the film so popular, nationalism in Japan in 2014, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's friendship with Naoki Hyakuta, author of the book on which the film is based.

The author argues that the Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe and his cabinet are not making effective long-term policy decisions as of January, 2013. According to the author, the proposed Japanese budget does not support long-term financial discipline, conflicts are growing between Japan, Russia, South Korea, and China, and the political influence of historical revisionists and nationalism in Japan is destructive.

The article looks at how the actions of some Japanese nationalists may hurt Japan's foreign relations and its economy. Topics include Shintaro Ishihara, governor of Tokyo, Japan, whose efforts to buy the Senkakus (or Diaoyus) islands enraged the Chinese; comments from nationalist politician Shinzo Abe, a prime ministerial candidate, downplaying past Japanese war crimes; and Takeju Ogata, president of the think-tank Nipon Foundation, who wants to amend Japan's pacifist constitution.

Reports the January 23, 2000 meeting of Japanese ultra-nationalists at the Osaka International Peace Center. The ultra-nationalists' claims that the so-called Rape of Nanking during 1939, when Japanese soldiers swept through mainland China killing thousands, did not occur; Scholarly work on the subject, including estimates of the number of Chinese killed; Publication of `The Rape of Nanking,' by Iris Chang, and its contentions; Relations between Japan and China.