Opinion Wave the Flag Proudly By SCOTT T. HARDS	フレームで見る  英文をプリントする  脚注をプリントする
誇りを持って旗を振れ 日本にとって初めてのサッカーＷ杯出場。それにしても、日本も含め各国のサポーターの熱狂ぶりはすごかった、と筆者は振り返る。国旗を振りかざすその姿は、筆者にあらためて「国を愛する」とは何かを考えさせるきっかけとなった—。

Well, it's official: The world's two economic superpowers have proved that when it comes to soccer, they are still developing nations. Neither the United States nor Japan could manage even a single victory in the World Cup finals, much to the dismay of their millions of supporters.

Still, there's something about international sports competitions like the World Cup and the Olympics that brings out the patriotism in a country's citizens. Normally quiet people paint their faces with their national colors and wave their flag tirelessly in an explosion of national pride. Even people who are not normally sports fans will stay up hours past their bedtime to watch a game.

In the United States, this doesn't surprise me, as the country generally has a good opinion of itself. But here in Japan, except for these special events, it's quite hard to find anyone doing any flag-waving or shouting, "Gambare Nippon!" Personally, I think that's too bad. Unabashed patriotism is vital if one hopes to live in a nation that is economically and socially healthy.

In the end, what is patriotism? "Love of country" is the usual definition. So what is a country? Though it is generally defined by lines drawn on a map, I don't think that's the key. People are the key. Patriotism is caring for the neighbors who live in your community and the values that you all share. That community doesn't have to be a single town. It can stretch from shore to shore of an entire continent.

I believe it is this caring that creates a strong society with a strong government, one that helps all its citizens live better lives. After all, without a little patriotism, who would ever want to take those low-paying government jobs? Or risk their lives in their nation's armed forces?

That's why I'm in favor of having students recite their country's anthem or pledge, or make gestures of respect to their flag. Instilling pride in one's country cannot start too early.

It has been suggested that this is an insult to students from other nations in that school system, or that patriotism has caused "wars every generation." A person who has traveled to another country to live of their own free will has, I believe, a moral obligation to support that nation in the broadest sense. I'm not referring to any specific government policy, but to the social community, as I discussed above. To do otherwise would be like being a vegetarian who walks knowingly into a steak restaurant and then complains that they didn't want to be fed meat. If that's the case, perhaps they should consider eating somewhere else!

As for wars, the suggestion that they have been caused by patriotism is stunningly simplistic. Just the opposite, patriotism has prevented many more conflicts than it has caused. Strong national pride leads to a strong national defense. The historical record clearly shows that wars almost always begin when an aggressor nation perceives a neighbor to be weak. I'm not willing to give up patriotism any more than I'm willing to stop taking cold medicine, even if it makes me drowsy. The benefits far outweigh the side effects.

So keep that flag waving with pride! Genuine love of country is the greatest gift any citizen can give back to their community, no matter what color their passport may be.

Shukan ST: July 17, 1998

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