🚨 Japan is at a crossroads as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent Taiwan remarks and a push for a bigger military have sparked alarm at home and abroad.
During a Diet meeting on November 7, Takaichi warned that the Chinese mainland’s use of force on Taiwan could create a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, hinting that Tokyo might even consider armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait. These comments have revived fears of Japan’s prewar militarism, when the country launched brutal invasions across Asia under the banner of national survival.
Since taking office, Takaichi has accelerated an expansion of Japan’s defense posture: record-high military spending, eased arms-export rules, and talk of revisiting non-nuclear principles. She’s also reportedly planning a visit to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine on December 26—a move that could further inflame tensions.
Protests have popped up nationwide. At a rally in Tokyo, one demonstrator called the plan “extremely risky,” demanding that Japan halt its military build-up if it truly values peace. Another held a sign reading, “Prime Minister Takaichi, do not drag the people into war!”
International reactions have been swift. Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu accused Takaichi of rewriting history, while CGTN Russian highlighted comments from Yuriy Pikalov of Pacific National University, saying Japan has long eyed constitutional changes to boost its armed forces. In Seoul, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik warned that revising Japan’s peace constitution would undermine regional stability.
Analysts point to a shift to the right in Japan’s political climate. Su Xiaohui of the China Institute of International Studies says moves to loosen postwar defense rules are part of a broader conservative effort to revive military strength. Liu Jiangyong of Tsinghua University cautions that Japan risks drifting back toward a 19th-century mindset focused on strategic rivalry with China.
As the Asia-Pacific marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II this year, experts urge vigilance. Japan faces a critical choice: a path of peaceful development or a return to a dangerous past. 🌏🕊️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
