They way some see it, the people of Japan are a bunch of unthinking nationalistic mind-numbed robots, programmed by decades of propaganda-laden textbooks and history-distorting manga to fall behind the nation’s right-wing leaders when called upon to take up arms against its neighbors.

Well if that were indeed true, one would expect that Japanese national ire would be running pretty high right now against China and South Korea over the abuse the two countries have been heaping upon Japan over the past few months. In fact, Japanese public opinion seems to be laying the blame for all the consulate trashing, business destroying, and flag burning of late at the feet of. . . Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

According to a survey conducted by the Mainichi Shimbun, 76% of the people polled say that Koizumi is not doing enough to improve Japan’s strained relations with its neighbors. Only 16% say Koizumi is doing enough.

Respondents also saw the following as the causes of anti-Japan demonstrations in China.

• Chinese domestic situation (34%)
• Japanese government’s interpretation of history concerning Japan’s invasion (26%)
• Koizumi’s visits to Yasukuni Shrine (13%)
• Japan’s bid for UNSC membership (11%)