Regarding Charles G. Wilt's Nov. 19 letter, "Conservatives had their chance": As an American commenting on Japanese politics, I don't pretend to know much about this subject, but I do know this: I agree that President Barack Obama has done his country a service by mentioning those who suffered from the atomic bombs. He also did what I consider a fairly good job of showing submission to the Emperor of Japan. Also, I think a unified Asia is the best idea since sliced bread.
As far as conservatives and liberals go, even though I usually make an effort to stay out of anyone's politics, it seems to me that liberals are capable of making just as many mistakes as conservatives. I do not buy into the utopian notion that liberals are going to be able to rule with compassion, equal opportunity, civil rights, international law, market regulation and peace.
I do believe Japan is capable of bringing about peace because it has already proven itself in that area. When it comes down to it, liberals are only human and, given time, will no doubt make mistakes of their own, whether because of success, complacency, egos or a myriad of other factors that eventually affect governments around the globe.
I want nothing more than to see Japan reach the utopia sought, but I am not that naive. If I had to guess, I would say that with the liberals in power we are only going to see a slow deterioration of the traditional and moral principles that define Japan and America and that once made us great.
But I will give the liberals now in power at least the benefit of the doubt. I wish them all the best. My knowledge of Japanese politics is not good enough for me to make any suggestions or tell anyone how they should think, much less how to do their jobs, so if I have stepped on anyone's toes, a thousand apologies.