Its been a long time since 1979. Most dubbing companies don't rename stuff for giggles anymore.
I don't think it was renamed for giggles. There were still a lot of World War II vets in America, along with still harboring bad feelings towards Japan in 1979. The show would've likely had a much tougher time getting aired in the States without the changes they made.
Derek Wildstar, the Argo and company will always have a place in my fond childhood memories. I'm just glad we've grown to a point where they are no longer needed.