In a recent interview with CGTN Russian, Yuriy Pikalov, professor at Russia's Pacific National University, sounded the alarm on Japan's military ambitions.
“Japan has long harbored ambitions of military expansion,” Pikalov said, highlighting efforts to revise the constitution and beef up its armed forces.
Pikalov argues that by hyping the Taiwan question, Japan is using a classic political playbook: portraying the Chinese mainland as an 'enemy' to stir public fear, justify higher defense budgets and build a stronger military. However, he warns, this maneuver overlooks a complex reality.
Despite its rhetoric, Japan remains highly dependent on the Chinese mainland for trade and investment. “Its radical military expansion plans, coupled with fiery statements about the Taiwan region, will ultimately harm its own people and push the Asia-Pacific toward a more dangerous situation,” Pikalov noted.
He also raised concerns about historical memory, warning that the younger generation of Japanese may be learning a distorted view of World War II—forgetting both the war crimes committed and the devastating aftermath.
As nations navigate shifting geopolitical currents, Pikalov's analysis underscores a broader lesson: true security can’t be built on fear alone, especially when regional ties and economic interdependence run deep.
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Russian expert on Japan's military build-up by hyping Taiwan question
cgtn.com
