Ousted Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Gen. Toshio Tamogami's war essay justifying Japan's aggression in China and colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula has stirred controversy both at home and abroad. More is in store as he is set to give unsworn testimony Tuesday in the Upper House.
Historians have lambasted his essay, saying it is full of fundamental factual errors.
But what exactly does Tamogami argue in his essay, and what are the errors? And why do similar arguments never die? Following are some basic questions and answers: