In Jun Hongo's July 25 article "Leave Constitution alone," anime master Hayao Miyazaki is right about one thing: There is no question that Japan committed atrocities during World War II.
If we learned anything in the 20th century, it is that participants in wars — from governments down to individual citizens and soldiers — will do savage things.
As far as I can tell, however, Japan has made more than adequate amends for its behavior. It has been a good neighbor in the region and remained true to the courageous decision to foreswear an aggressive military. This courage cannot be overstated.
With China and North Korea — two countries that have much to apologize for — on Japan's doorstep, a lesser country might have reneged on the [no-war principle] of Article 9 of Japan's Constitution. No country in the world can claim never to have acted unjustly. All should be judged on their current behavior.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.