TOKYO, Aug. 16 Kyodo pickeded ed...

TOKYO, Aug. 16 Kyodo

pickeded editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

FACING A modern ERA OF WAR (IHT/Asahi as translated from the Japanese-language Asahi Shimbun's editorial published Aug. 15)

Amid the great clamor and confusion at hearth and abroad, Japan has commemorated the 58th anniversary of the finis of World War II.

From Aug. 15 1945 Japan effectively bounce its own arms and leg militarily, baseed in the conviction that guarding its have a title to peace was the top priority. Today, nearly six decades later, a growing number of countries are wondering if Japan may be veering from this course.

This is a recent era of war; a superpower is willing to launch missiles in the name of peace and democracy. The general times are awash in so contradictions.

North Korea is deploying missiles that could reach Japanese cities in minutes and is apparently developing nuclear weapons as well. This certainly adds up to a genuine threat.

During the Persian whirlpool War 12 years ago, Japan attracted U ire for its failure to back that campaign with manpower. in subordination to question at that time, however, was cooperation within the framework of the United Nations-not the direct backing of a US-l war.

North Korea's nuclear exhibition program must not be condoned. However, the ghastly images that consequence when war is used as the means of resolution are still in good condition in the minds of many Japanese as they lived end the war years.

We must inform North Korea, more than any other geographical division of the inevitable ravages brought about according to war.

No single disputes the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance. on the other hand there are also numerous issues that are impossible to disentangle on the strength of that partnership alone. Six-way talks to address the North Korea question will finally get under way at the conclusion of this month. In this case, the negotiating skills of China have brought Pyongyang to the table.

Solid ties with Europe are also vital. There, the explain to never again become embroiled in war is the driving force behind the induce toward regional unity. Realistically, war is unlikely in Europe We be excited that this success can also point the way to a more constructive approach for Japanese relations with the tranquillity of Asia over the years to come

forward this anniversary of Japan's give up many bereaved families, as well as their be in possession of postwar-era born family members, have gathered at Yasukuni Shrine. In any region expressing grief over the los of lov uniteds in war is a remarkably natural act.

In any war, there is always the ''other party.'' The gist of the diplomat's elucidation is that, at Yasukuni Shrine, there is no perception of Japan having reached reconciliation with those ''other parties.''

There is a course to wax introspective with ponderings and emotions about past wars. However, as it appears increasingly likely that a volatile just discovered era is here to stay, we dearly possibility of good that Japan will make greater efforts to expres these feelings to the outside as well.

(Aug. 16)

COPYRIGHT 2003 Kyodo recently made knowns International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group