Japan ignores history lesson

History should have taught Japan some serious lessons on how to deal with the rest of the world.

Confrontation seems to be Japan's choice in times of crises. The country has been in the doldrums since its economic bubble burst in the early 1990s and thwarted its plan to build itself into a political and military power. This contrasts sharply with the emerging economies including China, and has left Japan frustrated.

After last year's earthquake, some Japanese people asked their government to enhance cooperation with Asian countries to emerge out of the crisis. But distraught Japanese politicians think only jingoism can restore Japan's rightful place in the world. And right-wing politicians are resorting to confrontation in Japan's foreign policy to hold the nation together.