Aso's Nazi rhetoric should not be ignored

All Asian neighbors and the global community should pay attention to developments in Japan's political system. Many Asian countries have actively sought cooperation and development and it is impossible for the continent to turn a blind eye to Japan's recent announcements and actions, said a People's Daily opinion piece (excerpts below).

For Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso to announce that Japan should revise its Constitution as Nazi Germany did before World War II is to openly deny the global victory against the Axis powers and a bold provocation to post-war international order.

The announcement, together with many other announcements by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, demonstrates the Abe administration's impulse for anti-peace political action.

In the eyes of the radical right-wing in Japan, the pacifist Constitution is a chain limiting Japan's military expansion and poses a major obstacle for Japan's pursuit of continental dominance.

The global financial crisis reshaped the world's economic structure, but since then, Japanese politicians have become more nervous. They are basing their recent intentions on their misjudgments of what is going on in the world. Compared with Abe’s preparedness, Aso's Nazi rhetoric is more shameless and fearless.

Aso has been criticized by Japanese media and the international community for his announcement. If it ignores history and reality, Japan will not realize its dream in Asia and will lose the opportunity to become integrated into any global cooperative actions.