To be fair, Japan started to attempt having wars with third-world nations to recapture its long-past military glory before 1946 rolled about.
It's only a matter of time before we sign a treaty with Al Qaeda and our porn gets mosiaced and then we start drawing cartoons about ressurecting the Arizona.
I actually watched this show on VHS years after it was first broadcast but I must say it grew on me. Though like Robotech, you'll have people who get all shirty and anal about how Yamamoto is superior yadda yadda yadda.
Plus it had Leader Desslok. Now there was an antagonist.