Why should present-day Japanese nationalism be considered a warning sign?

Abstract

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's yearly visits to the Yasukuni Shrine during his tenure brought into the limelight the fragile and often volatile relations between Japan and its neighbours, who are convinced that Japan has yet to fully atone for its aggression during World War Two. Besides PM Koizumi, his successor Shinzo Abe is also known, before his ascension as PM, to have held nationalistic stances previously. Both leaders, at least at some points in their political careers, have also asserted strongly Japan's right for 'normal' statehood, most notably the right to repeal Article 9 of the Constitution, which renounces Japan's right to military force and belligerency. Does the rise of both leaders signal a change in Japanese attitudes towards nationalism?