By Matt Underwood Russia, China agree to thwart efforts to revive ‘Japanese militarism’: Let’s get right to it – it seems the simmering tensions around Japan’s defense posture have boiled over again, and this time, Russia and China are joining forces to try and, well, put a lid on things. The core of the issue seems to be Japan’s willingness to acknowledge that a war on its borders would be considered a security threat – a pretty standard position for any nation, really. But for China, this became an opportunity to express outrage and score some political points.
This whole situation brings to mind a game of political theater, with China hoping to leverage the situation for its own gain. They’ve been feigning outrage, likely hoping for a retraction from Japan, even though the nation’s defense positions have been public knowledge for years. It’s a bit like a bluff that didn’t pay off, but now they can’t back down without looking weak. It’s hard not to see this as a form of gaslighting on a global scale. This is a clear case of “do as I say, not as I do,” especially when you consider the actions of these nations.
It’s hard not to point out the hypocrisy when the same countries that are so concerned about Japanese militarism are actively engaged in their own military expansion and aggression. Japan, on the other hand, hasn’t initiated any invasions or threatened any other country in over eight decades. This kind of posturing from Russia and China feels like a throwback to earlier times, akin to deals made by historical figures, and serves only to stoke the flames of conflict.
Japan, despite its ‘Self-Defense Forces’ moniker, already boasts a military that ranks among the top ten globally. The ironic part is that, if Russia and China were genuinely concerned, they should have addressed this over a decade ago when Japan first began to increase its military capabilities. This all points to a larger game, and Japan, unsurprisingly, will do what it feels it needs to do.
Here’s the problem: Russia is bogged down in Ukraine, and China has its sights set on invading Taiwan and other island nations in Southeast Asia. These are the real warmongers, yet they are the ones complaining about the defense preparations of others. It seems as though they hate it when their potential victims are armed to defend themselves. This is a classic case of projection. Japan needs to prepare.
The irony is that these two nations, historically at odds with Japan, are now teaming up to criticize it. It seems as though they are blind to their own actions. The narrative is often used as a means of control. There’s a lot of historical baggage in this situation, specifically regarding the Second Sino-Japanese War.
A point that needs to be considered is this: Is Japan simply trying to protect itself? The reality is that Japan is a key trading partner with Taiwan, a significant tourist destination for both countries, and has a real interest in defending the island.
The critique of the Japanese Prime Minister and her supposed remarks is also worth noting. It seems she’s been using external threats to create fear and justify her policies. It seems she may have had a moment of regret regarding these statements.
Ultimately, this whole situation is an example of why history books are filled with tales of conflict. The actions of Russia and China are driving Japan to take measures to protect itself. If the world is concerned about militarism, perhaps the focus should be on the actions of all parties involved, instead of selectively targeting one nation.