MCLEOD: They were known as the divine wind - the suicide pilots called kamikaze. More than anything else, they came to symbolise all that was feared about the military might of Imperial Japan.
Sixty years on, those young men are being immortalised. This is the set of a new film being made about the kamikaze. Its called I Go to Die for You. The movies director says its a tribute to a generation that was prepared to lay down its life for the country.
TAKU SHINJO: Of course, war is not good. Im not admiring the war as an event but it is a historical fact that there was a group of young people between 18 and 20 years old, who died. I want viewers to think about them. Japan is now enjoying peace because of those people.
MCLEOD: Victims of Japanese aggression in Asia, including Australian war veterans would argue with that sentiment but the fact that the kamikaze are being glorified, is evidence of a new wind blowing through Japan.
After World War II, reeling from the atomic bomb attacks and under American occupation, Japan turned to pacifism. Its Imperial military was dismantled, a new constitution imposed to enshrine peace but the Cold War changed that. Fears of communism inspired the United States to help Japan to set up the SDF.
SOLDERS SINGING: At dawn the Sear of Sagami reflects the twilight glow
MCLEOD: It looks a lot like a military force but technically its not. This is Japans Ground Self Defence Force, military-light, legally restricted to never fire in anger, only ever in self-defence.
TAKUMA MATSU: My friends were surprised when I said I wanted to join the SDF. Of course, they thought I would go to university, study hard, and go to work at an ordinary company. When they found out I wanted to join the SDF where I would drive myself relentlessly, they were surprised and worried about me.
MCLEOD: Eighteen year-old Takuma Matsu joined up after finishing high school last year.
TAKUMA MATSU: [During drill] Number 3 is ready!
MCLEOD: For many years a life in the force was a fairly unattractive career. Today its turning away recruits. Some join for the regular pay and comfortable conditions. For others, the idea of serving the country has never gone away.
TAKUMA MATSU: I liked the SDF, because my two grandfathers were in the military. Its well regulated life and purpose of duty are very noble, defending the country.
MCLEOD: Since being set up, the SDF has served more as a natural disaster cleanup squad but change is coming so that by the time these trainees earn their stripes, they may be soldiers instead of public servants in uniform.
TAKUMA MATSU: Of course I am ready. To die is not an easy matter but if that kind of situation happened to me I wouldnt hesitate to offer my life in order to defend what I should protect.
MCLEOD: Im visiting one of Japans Aegis destroyers, one of the worlds most advanced fighting ships. Showing me around the Kirishima is the man in charge of its advanced weapons systems, Haruhiko Kannaka.
HARUHIKO KANNAKA: This ship is the most critical ship in the fleet. If we dont survive the first strike our side wont be able to fight off the enemy. We need to prevail to defend the country at the front line.
MCLEOD: The Kirishima is a measure of how well equipped Japans military is. A ship like this is worth nearly two billion dollars.
HARUHIKO KANNAKA: These two are Spy-One radar. They can search, detect and identify targets. This warship detects all targets in the air.
MCLEOD: There are four like it in the Japanese fleet. Only the US Navy has more.
HARUHIKO KANNAKA: This is the VLS Vertical Lunch System. The anti-air missiles or torpedoes are stored and launched from here.
MCLEOD: The Kirishima and ships like it will form part of a controversial US plan known as the missile defence shield. It will use missiles launched by Americas allies around the world to shoot down missiles from other countries that threaten the western alliance.
HARUHIKO KANNAKA: Things are not heading in a positive direction. Terrorism can be found in every country in the world. I think things are heading in a bad direction. Under the current circumstances we have to have practical power to avoid the threats.
MCLEOD: Those threats, perceived or real, are being used to persuade Japanese citizens of the merits of a re-militarised Japan. Convincing the Japanese people of the benefits of a re-militarised Japan has been something of a tough sell but with North Korea firing missiles overhead and the growing political and economic dominance of China, those wanting to change the constitution, are finding the argument easier to make.
YOICHI MASUZOE: [Member of Parliament, LDP] Fortunately or unfortunately the international situation has changed drastically. Of course the terrorism is everywhere. In our case, North Korea is kidnapping people - people know that - and they shoot missiles towards our territory. So now people are getting more and more concerned about the national security.
MCLEOD: Those discussions are becoming more robust.
YOICHI MASUZOE: [In interview on Japanese television] If fuelling is completed at the launching pad and if we can confirm the target is Japan its possible for us to attack their missile base.
INTERVIEWER: [Japanese television] Japan will not attack, will it?
MCLEOD: MP Yoichi Masuzoe is leading the Governments push for change. The target is Article Nine of the Constitution, which prohibits the use of war and the existence of the military. Having won a commanding majority in Parliament, the Government is well placed to push ahead with a referendum to change it.
YOICHI MASUZOE: As an independent sovereign country its not normal that we heavily depend on our national security on other countries.
MCLEOD: Japan has already tested the limits of Article Nine in Iraq. Its troops are about to finish up there after their first deployment to a war zone in sixty years. Theyve served as part of the US led Coalition, providing humanitarian aid projects but having to rely on Australian and British soldiers for their security.
YOICHI MASUZOE: Its very frustrating and embarrassing, so thats why people want to change. But the fact is that if you are attacked by terrorists the Americans, or Australians or British will come to help us. But we cannot go. Thats really thats not sane.
MCLEOD: While the political debate goes on, the defence force is trying to win hearts and minds. The generations growing up since World War II have been kept ignorant of Japans military attacks in Asia in the 1930s and 40s. These young women are on a weekend trip to experience life in the Self Defence Force.
TRAINER: [To young women on weekend trip] For the next 40 minutes I want to beat this into your heads. I want you to march beautifully.
KAWAI: [Public Affairs Officer, Defence Force] If people understand us more we think we can achieve our aims. As I said before, the Defence Agency and the Self Defence Force belong to the people. We want the people to think of us as being theirs.
MCLEOD: This is a country where consumerism and kitsch are bywords for modern culture. Even the name of this tour the Parsley Chan tour comes from the name of the female half of the SDFs cartoon mascots. The soldiers dont always have such an appreciative audience. Just a little exposure to the military, has got some of these women thinking.
KAE WATANABE: At first I thought our military forces in Japan were strange. But then I suddenly thought Japan should revise Article 9 of the constitution and even introduce the draft.
MCLEOD: Thats the kind of radical notion that highlights the changes in Japanese society. The generation that experienced Japans last war, finds itself on the fringes of the debate.
MAKOTO ODA: Opposing the constitution has become a very radical issue. I mean, ten years ago it was very normal. Now, opposing the revision of the constitution has become a very radical issue.
MCLEOD: Makoto Oda is a veteran of Japans anti-war movement, a novelist and poet, Oda is one of the founding members of the Article Nine Association a group of old rabblerousers trying to rally the nation to resist the push for constitutional change.
What do you fear for Japan if it goes down the path of changing the constitution?
MAKOTO ODA: Its very simple. At the same time theyre losing independence, in a sense because the United States wants a change of the constitution of Japan now, to open up a way to make a kind of pax Americana all over the world. So I think this is a very important moment now for us to oppose the change of the constitution. So what Im really saying is, we lose our independence completely if we change.
MCLEOD: The defenders of pacifism are finding themselves marginalised, a trend thats been accelerating over the past decade.
MAKOTO ODA: The only possible way for Japan to survive is to keep following the peaceful ways. This is mostly idealistic, but at the same time it is mostly realistic.
MCLEOD: Its parade day for the sergeants training course. The best and brightest of the Ground Self-Defence force are on display. Takuma Matsus unit is showing off its skills in martial arts. In the crowd is his family. His mother admits she didnt really like the idea of him joining up.
KEIKO MATSU: Compared to before, hes becoming stronger. He used to be a gentle type of person. I didnt know what the SDF were really doing and I didnt have a lot of respect for them. But now I can understand them. I know they train every day, pushing their mental and physical limits and training to help people in an emergency I think the way I felt before was very rude.
MCLEOD: People like Takuma Matsu believe its time to ditch the shame of the past, for Japan to contribute more to the world and to be assertive.
TAKUMA MATSU: I think as long as we are Japanese, it is important to love Japan and make much of Japanese culture and history. I always think we should be aware of ourselves as being Japanese.
MCLEOD: Those thoughts are shared by ever more Japanese who dont want their future to be defined by the past.
Sixty years on, those young men are being immortalised. This is the set of a new film being made about the kamikaze. Its called I Go to Die for You. The movies director says its a tribute to a generation that was prepared to lay down its life for the country.
TAKU SHINJO: Of course, war is not good. Im not admiring the war as an event but it is a historical fact that there was a group of young people between 18 and 20 years old, who died. I want viewers to think about them. Japan is now enjoying peace because of those people.
MCLEOD: Victims of Japanese aggression in Asia, including Australian war veterans would argue with that sentiment but the fact that the kamikaze are being glorified, is evidence of a new wind blowing through Japan.
After World War II, reeling from the atomic bomb attacks and under American occupation, Japan turned to pacifism. Its Imperial military was dismantled, a new constitution imposed to enshrine peace but the Cold War changed that. Fears of communism inspired the United States to help Japan to set up the SDF.
SOLDERS SINGING: At dawn the Sear of Sagami reflects the twilight glow
MCLEOD: It looks a lot like a military force but technically its not. This is Japans Ground Self Defence Force, military-light, legally restricted to never fire in anger, only ever in self-defence.
TAKUMA MATSU: My friends were surprised when I said I wanted to join the SDF. Of course, they thought I would go to university, study hard, and go to work at an ordinary company. When they found out I wanted to join the SDF where I would drive myself relentlessly, they were surprised and worried about me.
MCLEOD: Eighteen year-old Takuma Matsu joined up after finishing high school last year.
TAKUMA MATSU: [During drill] Number 3 is ready!
MCLEOD: For many years a life in the force was a fairly unattractive career. Today its turning away recruits. Some join for the regular pay and comfortable conditions. For others, the idea of serving the country has never gone away.
TAKUMA MATSU: I liked the SDF, because my two grandfathers were in the military. Its well regulated life and purpose of duty are very noble, defending the country.
MCLEOD: Since being set up, the SDF has served more as a natural disaster cleanup squad but change is coming so that by the time these trainees earn their stripes, they may be soldiers instead of public servants in uniform.
TAKUMA MATSU: Of course I am ready. To die is not an easy matter but if that kind of situation happened to me I wouldnt hesitate to offer my life in order to defend what I should protect.
MCLEOD: Im visiting one of Japans Aegis destroyers, one of the worlds most advanced fighting ships. Showing me around the Kirishima is the man in charge of its advanced weapons systems, Haruhiko Kannaka.
HARUHIKO KANNAKA: This ship is the most critical ship in the fleet. If we dont survive the first strike our side wont be able to fight off the enemy. We need to prevail to defend the country at the front line.
MCLEOD: The Kirishima is a measure of how well equipped Japans military is. A ship like this is worth nearly two billion dollars.
HARUHIKO KANNAKA: These two are Spy-One radar. They can search, detect and identify targets. This warship detects all targets in the air.
MCLEOD: There are four like it in the Japanese fleet. Only the US Navy has more.
HARUHIKO KANNAKA: This is the VLS Vertical Lunch System. The anti-air missiles or torpedoes are stored and launched from here.
MCLEOD: The Kirishima and ships like it will form part of a controversial US plan known as the missile defence shield. It will use missiles launched by Americas allies around the world to shoot down missiles from other countries that threaten the western alliance.
HARUHIKO KANNAKA: Things are not heading in a positive direction. Terrorism can be found in every country in the world. I think things are heading in a bad direction. Under the current circumstances we have to have practical power to avoid the threats.
MCLEOD: Those threats, perceived or real, are being used to persuade Japanese citizens of the merits of a re-militarised Japan. Convincing the Japanese people of the benefits of a re-militarised Japan has been something of a tough sell but with North Korea firing missiles overhead and the growing political and economic dominance of China, those wanting to change the constitution, are finding the argument easier to make.
YOICHI MASUZOE: [Member of Parliament, LDP] Fortunately or unfortunately the international situation has changed drastically. Of course the terrorism is everywhere. In our case, North Korea is kidnapping people - people know that - and they shoot missiles towards our territory. So now people are getting more and more concerned about the national security.
MCLEOD: Those discussions are becoming more robust.
YOICHI MASUZOE: [In interview on Japanese television] If fuelling is completed at the launching pad and if we can confirm the target is Japan its possible for us to attack their missile base.
INTERVIEWER: [Japanese television] Japan will not attack, will it?
MCLEOD: MP Yoichi Masuzoe is leading the Governments push for change. The target is Article Nine of the Constitution, which prohibits the use of war and the existence of the military. Having won a commanding majority in Parliament, the Government is well placed to push ahead with a referendum to change it.
YOICHI MASUZOE: As an independent sovereign country its not normal that we heavily depend on our national security on other countries.
MCLEOD: Japan has already tested the limits of Article Nine in Iraq. Its troops are about to finish up there after their first deployment to a war zone in sixty years. Theyve served as part of the US led Coalition, providing humanitarian aid projects but having to rely on Australian and British soldiers for their security.
YOICHI MASUZOE: Its very frustrating and embarrassing, so thats why people want to change. But the fact is that if you are attacked by terrorists the Americans, or Australians or British will come to help us. But we cannot go. Thats really thats not sane.
MCLEOD: While the political debate goes on, the defence force is trying to win hearts and minds. The generations growing up since World War II have been kept ignorant of Japans military attacks in Asia in the 1930s and 40s. These young women are on a weekend trip to experience life in the Self Defence Force.
TRAINER: [To young women on weekend trip] For the next 40 minutes I want to beat this into your heads. I want you to march beautifully.
KAWAI: [Public Affairs Officer, Defence Force] If people understand us more we think we can achieve our aims. As I said before, the Defence Agency and the Self Defence Force belong to the people. We want the people to think of us as being theirs.
MCLEOD: This is a country where consumerism and kitsch are bywords for modern culture. Even the name of this tour the Parsley Chan tour comes from the name of the female half of the SDFs cartoon mascots. The soldiers dont always have such an appreciative audience. Just a little exposure to the military, has got some of these women thinking.
KAE WATANABE: At first I thought our military forces in Japan were strange. But then I suddenly thought Japan should revise Article 9 of the constitution and even introduce the draft.
MCLEOD: Thats the kind of radical notion that highlights the changes in Japanese society. The generation that experienced Japans last war, finds itself on the fringes of the debate.
MAKOTO ODA: Opposing the constitution has become a very radical issue. I mean, ten years ago it was very normal. Now, opposing the revision of the constitution has become a very radical issue.
MCLEOD: Makoto Oda is a veteran of Japans anti-war movement, a novelist and poet, Oda is one of the founding members of the Article Nine Association a group of old rabblerousers trying to rally the nation to resist the push for constitutional change.
What do you fear for Japan if it goes down the path of changing the constitution?
MAKOTO ODA: Its very simple. At the same time theyre losing independence, in a sense because the United States wants a change of the constitution of Japan now, to open up a way to make a kind of pax Americana all over the world. So I think this is a very important moment now for us to oppose the change of the constitution. So what Im really saying is, we lose our independence completely if we change.
MCLEOD: The defenders of pacifism are finding themselves marginalised, a trend thats been accelerating over the past decade.
MAKOTO ODA: The only possible way for Japan to survive is to keep following the peaceful ways. This is mostly idealistic, but at the same time it is mostly realistic.
MCLEOD: Its parade day for the sergeants training course. The best and brightest of the Ground Self-Defence force are on display. Takuma Matsus unit is showing off its skills in martial arts. In the crowd is his family. His mother admits she didnt really like the idea of him joining up.
KEIKO MATSU: Compared to before, hes becoming stronger. He used to be a gentle type of person. I didnt know what the SDF were really doing and I didnt have a lot of respect for them. But now I can understand them. I know they train every day, pushing their mental and physical limits and training to help people in an emergency I think the way I felt before was very rude.
MCLEOD: People like Takuma Matsu believe its time to ditch the shame of the past, for Japan to contribute more to the world and to be assertive.
TAKUMA MATSU: I think as long as we are Japanese, it is important to love Japan and make much of Japanese culture and history. I always think we should be aware of ourselves as being Japanese.
MCLEOD: Those thoughts are shared by ever more Japanese who dont want their future to be defined by the past.