Flying in the face of reason

Japan's attempt to glorify its kamikaze pilots of World War II is a brazen violation of universal human values

One tragedy of World War II was Japan's fascist fanatics driving young pilots into suicidal attacks on US warships. These kamikaze attacks have become synonymous with crazy, reckless behavior.

But for today's Japanese nationalists, the kamikaze pilots, officially named Special Attack Forces of the Imperial Japanese Navy, embody Japan's samurai warrior spirit of devotion and revenge and therefore should be idolized. Pilot documents are exhibited at the Yasukuni Museum in Tokyo and more are displayed at the Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots in Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu.