Japan Press Weekly

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2013 July 10 - 16 [ELECTION]

Patriotism is the will to die for the nation: DPJ Upper House candidate

A Democratic Party of Japan politician has stated that “whether Japanese people can sacrifice their lives for their nation or not” is essential for national security.

Kitagami Keiro, who is now running in the Upper House race on the DPJ ticket, on March 18 posted this statement in a column of the online business magazine Toyo Keizai.

In the column entitled “Senkaku issue uncovers how timid Japanese people are,” Kitagami cited his experience as an aide to the prime minster in charge of the territorial dispute with China under the second Noda Cabinet. He then explained that for him, patriotism is “citizens’ fierce love for the nation that will drive them to immolate themselves to protect even a small island”.

Kitagami in June made remarks that education to teach children to be willing to die for the love of their country is important.

Related past article:
> DPJ candidate for Upper House election repeatedly makes outlandishly hawkish remarks [July 5, 2013]