Singapore scholar concerned by Japan anthem, flag

Asian Political News, August 16, 1999

SINGAPORE, Aug. 9 Kyodo

A Singapore scholar expressed concern Monday about the passage of a bill by the upper house of the Japanese Diet to make the Hinomaru the Japanese flag and " Kimigayo" the anthem.

"Unless there is reassurance that this is just an assertion of their pride as a people or a nation, I would be a bit concerned," said Ho Khai Leong, a senior lecturer in the political science department at the National University of Singapore.

"This is because all this time, the Japanese, unlike the Germans, have not been very repentant as far as the Second World War is concerned," he said, speaking in a personal capacity.

He added this move by the Japanese would be of greater concern among the older generation, who still remember memories of Japanese atrocities during the war rather than the younger set.

Millions of civilians were massacred by Japanese soldiers who invaded and occupied Singapore during 1942-1945.