Reuters: Japan minister warns of nationalism in East Asia
East Asian countries must fight against growing "narrow-minded nationalism" as they build a regional framework that peacefully accommodates China's rise, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said on Wednesday. Aso, a contender in the race to be Japan's next prime minister, also said democracy was an "unavoidable path" for China and that Tokyo's ties with its neighbors were better than recent disputes over history and territory would suggest. "The rising tide of nationalism in East Asia cannot be easily reversed, but it can be channeled in a positive way," he said, without naming countries. "There is a fine line between healthy love of country -- which is called patriotism -- and narrow-minded nationalism that breeds hatred of others," he said in a speech at the end of a visit to Washington...more...
