Japan is our partner in peace

SIXTY YEARS ago this month, Japan laid down its arms, ending World War II and embarking on a remarkable journey that has led a great nation to peace, democracy, and prosperity.

The United States has found in its former adversary a steadfast friend and ally, and the world has come to know and respect Japan not only for the quality of its products but for the generosity and ingenuity of its people.

Some, of course, would argue for their own purposes that Japan has been a reluctant hero in this drama of the last six decades, that at heart the Japanese are unreconstructed, that beneath the benign exterior lies an unrepentant and still nationalistic nation.

After serving for almost four years as America's ambassador to Japan, I can say with the assurance of first-hand knowledge that Japan is fully prepared to play a constructive role in the diplomacy and commerce of the 21st century.

This does not mean the Japanese will jettison their past or that everyone will agree with their interpretation of their own history or their reverence for controversial national symbols. We do not have to agree. What the world seeks, and what Japan readily agrees to, is a forward-looking nation ready to use its economic power and its profound commitment to democracy for the good of the world.

The world has properly sought, and Japan has properly given, numerous apologies for the aggression of 60 and 70 years ago. But such acts of contrition for events in the last century must ultimately give way to more substantive acts of constructive engagement with the world of the new century, and here again Japan has not been found wanting.

Its example of a rapidly democratizing nation stands today as an inspiration to the people of Iraq and people in other countries yearning to breathe free. Its commitment of 500 of Japan's Self-Defense Forces in February 2004 to give humanitarian aid to the people of Iraq gives further substance to its new role as a model for emerging democracies.

Even the act of committing these forces was a test of the strength of Japan's democracy -- a special law had to be passed by the Japanese Diet, over vigorous minority opposition to Prime Minister Koizumi's plan -- and this spirited debate was itself a healthy affirmation of the free and open society that modern Japan has become.

Dispatching forces to Iraq was a historic watershed, representing the first time that Japanese soldiers have been stationed outside Japan since World War II. Their presence in a special noncombat zone is symbolic of several present-day truths of Japan: That Japan pursues global peace at risk of its own internal harmony; that Japan is willing to pay the ultimate price, loss of life, in fighting terrorism; and that 60 years after World War II, Japan has emerged as a fully vested partner in the family of nations.

The United States celebrates the end of World War II as a time of hope and validation, but for Japan, this anniversary induces great national mourning. It's almost impossible to appreciate how Japan was traumatized by the war. The agonies of defeat and Japan's recognition of its complicity in causing the war have imbued in the Japanese a fundamental commitment to peace. The war's anniversary is observed, more than anything, as the chance for an entire nation to renew its pledge never to pursue war again.

This anniversary also finds other nations of Asia pursuing an agenda of freedom and peace. Korea has become a proud and prosperous industrial democracy. Taiwan elected its president through free elections. The Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia have all made important steps toward full democracy. While full credit must go to the people of these countries themselves, Japan has played a major and constructive role to this end.

Since the war, Japan has achieved six decades of sponsoring peace, democracy, and prosperity worldwide.This is the real Japan, the new Japan, the Japan that deserves our appreciation, respect, and friendship.

Howard Baker, former chief of staff for President Reagan and three-term US senator, served as US ambassador to Japan from 2001-05.