Japan for the first time over the weekend marked “Restoration of Sovereignty Day”, the anniversary of its regaining its independence in 1952 after losing it to the Allies in World War Two.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko added their societal ‘cred’ to the official ceremony, which consisted mostly of men in dark suits crammed in a small room doing the traditional “Banzai” chant.

“I want to make this a day when we can renew our sense of hope and determination for the future,” said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

It’s part of Abe’s increasingly nationalistic drive to lift his country out of the doldrums, economic and otherwise.  The economic part is nicknamed “Abenomics”, which combines massive public spending (as opposed to the proven failure of “austerity”), hyper-easy monetary policies.  But there are doubts that Abe’s current 70 percent approval rating extends beyond the economic policies. 

From inside and outside Japan, the sudden focus on nationalism is raising eyebrows.  Keio University political scientist Morihide Katayama said the event was part of Abe's "cheap gimmick" to build unity under nationalistic symbols, such as the national flag, anthem and military.

"Why did Japan once lose sovereignty in the first place?  Isn't it because Japan chose the wrong way?" read an editorial in the Sunday Nikkei Business Daily.

South Korea and China, both with vivid memories of the brutal Japanese Occupation during World War Two also objected to Abe’s new holiday.