Japan can breathe a momentary sigh of relief after the release of three Japanese hostages. In a flurry of hostage-taking, including Russians, Americans, Australians, Canadians and Italians, and then the taped execution of Italian security worker Fabrizio Quattrocchi, the release of the Japanese is about the only good news that has come from Baghdad.
Japan needs to realize that this passing storm may in fact be a precursor to more trouble. It needs to prepare for a time when the news will be worse.
Japan, in partnership with the US, needs to take bolder, more inspiring steps to steal the affections of its audience away from terrorists. Terrorism is similar to theater, as grisly and awful as this may sound, but terrorists are actors trying to appear legitimate in the eyes of those who feel alienated by the US, the West and modernity.
We -- which includes Japan -- need to inspire this audience to embrace what we represent and abandon Islamic rejectionism. So, while Japan is lucky today, and should celebrate, tomorrow's work is essential so that the trauma of the last week is not repeated.
Steven Clemons
United States
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