Japan's Defense Agency was upgraded to the Defense Ministry on Tuesday amongst controversy both at home and abroad. Due to Japan's attitude towards the war crimes it committed during World War II, its Asian neighbors have never been confident in Japan's words of maintaining the regional peace and stability.

To make it worse, Japan's moves in recent years, such as changing its peaceful constitution and dispatching troops abroad, have further deepened the suspicion that it is seeking to be a military power that matches its economic position in the world.

Lee Teng

Singapore

(China Daily 01/12/2007 page11)