On November 30, 2025, Kunio Aragaki, secretary general of the No More Battle of Okinawa Association, sounded the alarm over rising militarization in East Asia, warning it is stoking tensions with the Chinese mainland. Aragaki criticized recent remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi as a dangerous provocation, calling instead for dialogue and a peaceful resolution.
"In Okinawa, we know all too well the human cost of conflict," Aragaki said at a press briefing in Naha. "We cannot allow inflammatory rhetoric to push us toward escalation."
Aragaki's group, known for its grassroots advocacy for lasting peace on Okinawa island, urges national leaders to shift focus from military builds to diplomatic engagement. The plea comes as regional capitals navigate complex security challenges, balancing defense readiness with calls for stability.
International observers note that recent defense upgrades and verbal sparring risk undermining trust between Tokyo and the leadership in the Chinese mainland. Aragaki emphasized that true security lies in frameworks that encourage communication, not confrontation.
"Building sustainable peace requires stepping back from the brink," he added. "Japan must lead by creating conditions for constructive dialogue."
As tensions simmer, Aragaki's message resonates beyond Okinawa, reminding a global audience of the stakes at play in one of the world's most strategic regions.
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Okinawa figure says rising militarization is fueling regional tensions
cgtn.com
