War

I was wandering around in Kinokuniya yesterday and I saw this:

戦争のつくりかた
Sensou no Tsukurikata
Literally, “How to make war”, but the translated title is “What happens before war”. It’s a book done in children’s picture book style about exactly what the title says: how wars happen. It talks about things like government taking control over schools, civilian facilities and the mass media, admendments to the law that reduce its limitation on the army and propaganda that gives the younger generation the false impression that it is a war for freedom and peace. All reminiscences of a Japan from 60 years ago. Except that it’s not about WW2. The book is printed in 2004 and refers to Japan’s recent deployment of troops to Iraq. It ends off with a plea for children to speak up if they see any of those things happening today.

Interesting stuff. It was short enough to finish there so I didn’t buy it… XD I did buy Gunslinger Girl vol.1 (Chinese), Maburaho vol.1 (Japanese) and NewtypeUSA October though.