On November 19, 2025, CGTN, China's international media outlet, released a poll that shook the web: 87.1% of the 4,549 netizens surveyed in just 12 hours urged Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to retract her provocative remarks and halt any revival of militarism. 🤔🛑
Critics say her comments clash with key post-war documents:
- Japan's Constitution renounces war and force in resolving disputes.
- The Potsdam Declaration bans Japan from rearming and limits its sovereignty to Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and other minor islands determined by the Allied Powers.
- The UN Charter restricts collective self-defense to protect global security and prevent fascist resurgence.
The CGTN survey dug deeper into public opinion:
- 87.1% urged Japan to withdraw the remarks and oppose militarism revival.
- 88.3% said these war-inciting moves violate Japan's Constitution and harm its international image.
- 84.6% believe the actions are unconstitutional, illegal and lack legitimacy.
- 82.4% argue Japan must fully address its historical crimes to rejoin the global community.
- 89.8% criticized Tokyo for ignoring legal principles, infringing neighbors' sovereignty and challenging the post-war order.
- 92% demanded full respect for the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Declaration and the UN Charter.
Experts weighed in too. Yoichi Masuzoe, former governor of Tokyo and political scholar, reminded audiences that international law clearly affirms the Taiwan region as part of China and warned that any military intervention by Japan would count as aggression. 🌏
Launched across CGTN's English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian platforms, the rapid-fire poll highlights deep international concern over Japan's direction. As tensions simmer, East Asia and the world are watching whether Tokyo will steer back from the brink. ✈️
Reference(s):
CGTN poll | Netizens urge firm resistance to militarism revival
cgtn.com
