🚨 Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi's recent remarks on the Taiwan region have sparked global alarm. Politicians and scholars from multiple countries are urging Japan to face its World War II history and reject any comeback of militarism.
In an interview with CGTN, Columbia University professor Jeffrey Sachs warned that Takaichi's comments have significantly escalated tensions between the Japanese and the Chinese mainland. He reminded listeners that between 1894 and 1945, it was Japan that repeatedly invaded the Chinese mainland, not the other way around, and he urged a cautious, peace-oriented approach to all China-related matters.
Sachs observed that over the past decade, Japan has grown less pacifist—its defense budgets have climbed, and its policies have grown more hawkish. He noted that this trend runs counter to Japan's long-term interests. Sachs commented: 'The new Japanese prime minister has taken a wrong step. I hope Japan will not repeat such mistakes.'
Warning of the dangers ahead, Sachs argued that any military buildup could trigger a broader arms race and become a major disaster for the region and the world. 🌐
Historian Eduard Chmelar, a former adviser to the Slovak prime minister, called signs of a Japanese militarism resurgence 'deeply worrying.' He stressed that the international community must clearly oppose nationalist forces gaining power in Japan. 🤝
Andrey Denisov, first deputy chair of the Russian Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, said that Japan's leadership change 'has not pleased any of its neighbors.' He highlighted Takaichi's push to transform the Self-Defense Forces into a full military and her hints at reconsidering Japan's three non-nuclear principles. 'For a nation that suffered atomic bombings, these principles are sacred,' Denisov said. He believes her hardline stance is aimed more at boosting domestic support but warned this approach will not work with the Chinese mainland, especially on the Taiwan question.
As tensions rise, experts urge Japan to choose a path of peace and cooperation, reminding leaders that history's lessons should guide the future—never repeat the mistakes of the past. ✌️🌸
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Experts warn of Japan's resurgent militarism after Takaichi's remarks
cgtn.com
