Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the Taiwan Strait as an “existential threat,” marking a dramatic shift in Tokyo’s security narrative.
Richard A. Black, a Senior Researcher at the Schiller Institute, warns that this framing serves as a dangerous pretext for accelerating Japan’s remilitarization. He argues such moves directly violate Japan’s postwar peace constitution, the Potsdam Declaration and longstanding international agreements that prohibit Japan from acting as an offensive military power in Asia.
Black draws parallels between today’s developments and the gradual remilitarization that preceded World War II in Europe. He cautions that these patterns seem to be re-emerging in the Pacific, posing fresh risks to regional stability.
As these debates unfold, many observers are left questioning whether Tokyo will uphold its postwar commitments or embark on a new course toward more robust military engagement, with significant implications for security across the Pacific.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
