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Article: Don't furl the flag; Japan.(What role for Japan in the world?)
- Article from:
- The Economist (US)
- Article date:
- October 20, 2007
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 Economist Newspaper Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Japan's soldiers deserve better support from its politicians
FOR the first time since it started sending its soldiers, sailors and airmen to report for duty in the world's trouble-spots, Japan is about to sound an embarrassing retreat. In November supply vessels and escort ships, deployed to the Indian Ocean for the past six years in support of counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan, will steam home to a political crisis over their role that will confine them to port for months. Worse, it could end Japan's role in Operation Enduring Freedom, the crucial battle against the Taliban.
So is this the Japan of old: self-absorbed, unashamed at leaving others to do the ...