Appointment of ex-general under fire

The Japanese government fought off criticism yesterday over the appointment of an air force general fired last week for saying Japan was not an aggressor in World War II and urging an end to tight controls on its military.

Air force chief of staff Toshio Tamogami sparked anger in China and South Korea, where resentment simmers over Japanese military aggression before and during World War II, with comments in a history essay published on a website.

Opposition politicians criticized the selection of Tamogami for a top military position and vowed to press Prime Minister Taro Aso, a self-described defense hawk, to make clear his own views on history.