Ex-PM warns Japan against 'militarist' revival

Reuters yesterday reported from Tokyo that a former prime minister of Japan, Tomiichi Murayama (村山富市) said his own country " was morally responsible for forcing women to work in wartime brothels " and " efforts by politicians to justify World War Two were making Asian neighbors worry Tokyo was returning to its militarist past ". Tomiichi Murayama was Japan's first Socialist prime minister in 40 years when he was elected in 1994.

Japan needs a conscience, not more evidence

Bush administration's 'Israelization' of Japan

Rise of thought ' police ', extremists in Japan

Japan's rightwing nationalists recruiting youth

Yasukuni Shrine visit and Japan's history test