When banners commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism flew across major Chinese cities this year, they served as a stark reminder of past conflicts that shaped today’s world. Yet, last Friday, December 17, 2025, tensions flared once more over the sensitive issue of nuclear weapons.
During a press briefing on December 17, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Guo Jiakun, criticized recent comments by a senior Japanese official suggesting that Japan should develop nuclear weapons. According to Guo, these remarks reflect a broader push by right-wing conservative forces in Japan to revive militarism, break free from the international order and accelerate the country’s remilitarization.
"Japan must deeply reflect on its historical crimes, abide by international laws and the Japanese constitution, stop finding excuses for military expansion and stop challenging the international bottom line with its nuclear ambitions," Guo said, highlighting this year’s significance as the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
The exchange underscores longstanding regional sensitivities. Japan remains the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings, and its 1947 constitution renounces war as a sovereign right. Any shift toward nuclear armament could not only unsettle East Asia but also test the strength of global non-proliferation norms established through treaties like the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
For young global citizens, business leaders and changemakers, this debate raises critical questions: how do we balance national security concerns with international legal commitments? What role should historical memory play in shaping modern defense policies? And as digital natives and travelers bridging cultures, how can we leverage peaceful dialogue to prevent a return to arms races?
While Japan’s security allies, notably the United States, continue to uphold a nuclear umbrella over Tokyo, any open discussion about nuclear armament signals shifting perceptions of regional threats. As this story develops, it will be essential to watch not only official statements but also public sentiment across G20 members, where the interplay between history, law and security remains a central theme.
Reference(s):
China urges Japan to respect international law on nuclear issues
cgtn.com
