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Over the course of the last few weeks we have listened to much critical review of our Righteous Nation philosophy. Many saying that because of our actions we are not truly a neutral nation. Many screaming support or crying foul about some the actions our nation has recently taken.

They are correct; we are not a neutral nation. We are a Righteous Nation. The two are not mutually exclusive, though neither are the one and the same.

Three recent events stand out, and can be used to highlight our adherence to the Righteous Nation philosophy.

To begin with, there was the defense of Kyushu from the American attack. Several nations came to assist in that effort; some fought to support a long time ally, some fought because of the enemy, and some fought tactically so that their own lands could be better defended. Regardless of their reasons for fighting, Japan and its allies repelled the attackers in the region of Kyushu. Strangely enough, the entire situation could have been avoided.

American politicians and military commanders decided to sweep into Japan as a strategic launching point for their operations in Asia. They viewed Japan as the weakest link; the easiest barrier to break though to achieve their goals. It is easily true; Japan is not a match for America militarily. While we have the heart, we simply do not have the numbers. It is my understanding that the Americans requested use of our region for their use. We rejected them, with good cause. Japan is a peaceful nation. We do not arbitrarily attack another nation. We do not use our weapons when our words will do. If the Americans desired the cooperation of Japan to liberate an oppressed nation, they needed to attempt strong diplomacy first. They needed to use the power of the reason, compassion, and the written word. They needed to reach out to nations across the world to partner with, beyond petty mega-alliances. On this, they failed. Because of that failure, they were rebuffed on their original request.

The second event was President Dokomo's ultimatum. Many in the Japanese Diet voiced concerns of wrongdoings. Often quoted was the slogan "Never Again" in regards to allowing Kyushu to be used by a foreign power. After the original Kyushu Incident this was a line used as a symbol of our awakening, of our recognition that what we had done should not be repeated. This time, it sounded much like the shouts of religious fanatics, repeating words of which they did not know the meaning.

I was not in politics at the time of the Kyushu Incident, but a simple, ordinary citizen. I fought in the war to hold Kyushu. I was outraged when our Congress and President allowed an aggressive nation to soil our land with their imperialistic ideals. "Never Again" seemed very appropriate. But to me, the "Never Again" was not that we could not allow Kyushu to be a gateway between East and West. It was that we would not allow it to be used by an aggressive nation looking to expand their empire. "Never Again" would we bow to a hostile neighbor so they could dominate another nation. And with regards to that, "Never Again" still stands true.

The third and final event, Japan ceded the region of Kyushu to America. President Dokomo used the international awareness of the Battle of Kyushu to bring forth an ultimatum to free China. After the deadline for negotiations expired, America was given passage through Kyushu. Once again, opposition chose aggression before diplomacy; oppression before freedom.

Nations that have been long time allies of Japan exclaimed that we had sided with America, with EDEN, or that we had betrayed our Righteous Nation philosophy. In truth, this was one of the first instances we had to display our adherence. China has been a long time ally of Japan, and has been oppressed for much of that time by larger, stronger nations. By standing up for them, we have displayed our true spirit.

In the first case, America and its allies exclaimed that we betrayed our Righteous Nation philosophy by not helping them liberate China. In the second, many of our own citizens exclaimed that we had betrayed our neutrality by allowing Americans into Kyushu. And finally in the third, it was many of the old PEACE nations exclaiming the same things the old EDEN nations did just days before, but this time for betraying old allies.

I offer that we never once betrayed our Righteous Nation philosophy, but that we honored with the deepest respect. Once, we defended our nation from a hostile force, bent on following the path of aggression over the option of diplomacy. Second, we used the spotlight that shown on our nation to attempt a diplomatic resolution to the occupation of a friend and neighbor. And finally, when diplomacy failed, we used our tactical position, military strength, and our tie to other nations to help secure the release of China's regions from an occupying nation.

We are not a Neutral Nation. We are a Righteous Nation. Neutrality is a luxury we enjoy while we can, though we will give it up when we must.