These days there seems to be a global tendency for countries to prod each other over small matters, thus stirring up emotions in the target nation. In the past, there have been many times in which a trifling incident has snowballed into all-out war. Japanese people tend not to sweat the small stuff, believing that it is childish to stir up the emotions of others. Japan, great importance is placed on a saying that goes “otona no taiou” (literally, behaving like an adult). Rather than having an overblown reaction to comments or behavior from other nations that are regarded as being rather absurd, Japan instead takes a generous attitude. Though Japan takes an “adult attitude” to avoid disputes, or not to escalate issues, the international community is apt to misunderstand this restraint and take it as an admission of guilt. Then, they escalate their criticisms of Japan. Some Japanese objected to criticism from these nations before. For instance, in the book, “The Japan That Can Say No,” written by former Tokyo Metropolitan Governor ISHIHARA Shintaro and former Sony Corporation Chairman MORITA Akio, published in 1989, which became a bestseller. In Japan recently, more and more people are saying that Japan should strongly object against the injustices of foreign nations. This fuels criticism that militarism is on the rise again in Japan. If world leaders and both domestic and foreign media take a “mature attitude,” disputes could be avoided. But the reality is the opposite.