Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remarks and policy moves have sparked fresh concerns that Japan is drifting back toward a more assertive, militaristic posture.
At 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 at the possibility of Japanese intervention in the Taiwan Strait. Her comments have revived memories of Japan’s imperial-era aggression.
Since taking office, Takaichi has accelerated efforts to expand Japan’s defense capabilities: record-high defense spending, relaxed arms-export regulations, and discussions about revisiting the country’s non-nuclear principles. Reports also suggest she may visit the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine on December 26, a move that typically stirs regional unease.
Criticism has mounted both domestically and internationally. Tetsuo Saito, leader of coalition partner Komeito, cautioned that Takaichi’s stance undermines Japan’s postwar security principles. Protesters in Tokyo have voiced their alarm, calling her comments “extremely risky” and urging her not to drag the nation into war.
Abroad, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu accused Takaichi of historical revisionism, while Yuriy Pikalov, a professor at Russia’s Pacific National University, warned that Japan is eyeing constitutional revisions to match its military ambitions. South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik also expressed concern, saying that reinterpretations of Japan’s so-called peace constitution threaten regional stability.
Analysts point to a rising tide of right-wing influence in Tokyo, eroding the exclusively defense-oriented posture set after World War II. Su Xiaohui, associate research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, argues that Takaichi’s agenda is part of a broader conservative push to dilute postwar constraints designed to prevent a resurgence of militarism.
As the Asia-Pacific marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, experts like Liu Jiangyong, professor of international relations at Tsinghua University, warn that Japan faces a pivotal choice: safeguard regional peace through cooperative development, or risk slipping back into a dangerous strategic mindset focused on military strength.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
