WASHINGTON - JAPANESE Prime Minister Taro Aso has brushed aside concern about a revival of Japan's nationalism after he fired the nation's air force commander over his view of its militarist past, a daily said on Saturday.

'While I believe there is nothing wrong with being patriotic, and different views are aired by many people on history,' Mr Aso said in an interview on Friday with The Washington Post.

Mr Aso, now on his visit to the US capital to attend a financial crisis summit, fired former general Toshio Tamogami in late October after he wrote an essay in which he denied the country was an aggressor in World War II.

But Mr Aso said the controversial remarks do not necessarily indicate nationalism widespread in the military or the country, saying: 'I would not think that it's as if views of the right are rising rapidly in Japan.'

China, the two Koreas and other Asian nations still have searing memories of Japan's aggression and colonial rule. China was quick to voice 'strong indignation' over the comments.

Mr Tamogami wrote in the essay that many Asian countries 'take a positive view' of Japan's past militarism, seeing Tokyo as a bulwark against Western imperialism.

'It is certainly a false accusation to say that our country was an aggressor nation,' he wrote.

The scandal came at a bad time for Mr Aso, who criticised Mr Tamogami's remarks but has himself previously caused controversy by defending aspects of Japanese colonialism. -- AFP