Japan Struggles to Define Itself

It seeks to shed its WWII legacy of aggression and become a more vigorous player on the world stage

Ninety-type tanks move along with helicopters during a live-fire exercise for Japan's ground Self-Defense Force at the foot of Mount Fuji, on Aug. 21, 2008. Japan is considering weakening the constitutional limitations placed on its military forces. KEN SHIMIZU/AFP/Getty Images

For over 70 years, Japan has struggled with a legacy of aggression stemming from its attacks on Pearl Harbor and throughout Asia—while professing victimhood by being the only nation struck by nuclear weapons.

For many Americans, the plea of “victimhood” is risible; our response is “No Pearl Harbor; no Hiroshima.”