By Zhou Xin
According to recent reports by Japanese media, the estimated amount of Japan's defense budget in 2023 is to grow to as much as 5.59 trillion yen, a record high. Japan is considering commissioning more than 1000 long-range cruise missiles whose range is reported to "reach China". Aso Taro, Vice President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), said that if something happens to Taiwan, war is likely to break out in Okinawa, Kagoshima and other places in Japan. In addition, Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada emphasized that in case there is something happens to Taiwan, it is necessary to get fully prepared in terms of equipment and ammunition. The above-mentioned remarks and deeds from the Japanese side are to bring three risks as follows.
First, these words and deeds may leave the Japan's Peace Constitution hanging in the air. The living Peace Constitution of Japan has served as the cornerstone of Japan's peaceful development after WWII. Article 9, the famous peace clause, clearly stipulates that “the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes,” and further pledges that “land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potentials, will never be maintained.” Japan has always claimed to retain only a necessary minimum defense force for self-defense. Japan ranked fifth in the 2022 Global Firepower Ranking. Together with the large-scale US troops stationed in Japan, Japan's self-defense strength has been fully sufficient. However, the Japanese government has still intended to commission 1000 long-range cruise missiles and tried to build its offensive capability in the name of counterattack capability construction, which has made all parties concerned about its accelerated constitutional amendment process while giving up the path of peaceful development. According to the poll by Kyodo News Agency in July, 58.4% of Japanese people interviewed believed that the constitutional amendment was "not urgent" to address. Public rallies against the increase of defense costs and the amendment of the Peace Constitution have kept emerging in various parts of Japan.
Second, these words and deeds are to undermine the foundation of mutual trust between China and Japan. In recent years, Japan has repeatedly advocated that if Taiwan is in danger, Japan will not stand by. In August, China countered the US Speaker of the House Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, serious interference in China's internal affairs, and the action of the Chinese side has gained the understanding and support of most countries and international organizations across the world. However, the Japanese government has publicly accused China of conducting exercise and training activities in the waters around Taiwan Island. In view of the historical crimes committed by Japan on the Taiwan question and the inextricable links between the Japanese authorities, the right-wing forces and the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces on the island, the words and deeds from the Japanese governmentare flagrant provocation against China and gross interference in China's internal affairs, while disregarding the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan and the commitments Japan has made so far. Its purpose lies in making China an imaginary enemy, an excuse by which to continuously expand armaments and amend the Peace Constitution. China and Japan, as East Asian countries, are neighbors, neither of which can move away. The Japanese government's actions that undermine China's core interests and major concerns are constantly undermining the foundation of mutual trust in China-Japan relations, and run counter to the historical trend of the bilateral relationship development.
Third, these words and deeds are to deliver negative effects on the overall peace and stability of the region. The atrocities of Japanese militarism during WWII have brought about serious disasters in many Asian countries. The Japanese government should take history as a mirror and reflect deeply. It should face the future with a responsible attitude towards history, itself and Asia, instead of blindly expanding Japan’s military role and revising the Peace Constitution, provoking confrontation in the region and undermining the hard-won peace and stability of Asia. These deeds will only cause Asian countries to worry about Japan's attempt to return to militarism. In addition, the Japanese government has followed in the US’ footsteps in formulating policies to suppress China in recent years, growing to be the main accomplice of the US in building a "small circle" in the Asia Pacific region, which will only render itself more passive.
On September 29 of 1972, the then leaders of China and Japan realized the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations while overcoming many difficulties with outstanding strategic wisdom and political courage, and opened a new era of China-Japan relations. Since then, the two countries have signed four political documents, reached a series of important consensus, and achieved fruitful results in exchanges and cooperation in various fields. History is a mirror and also the best teacher. It can clearly remind the Japanese government that it must have a correct understanding of China's development, adopt along-term vision and a sincere attitude to look at China-Japan relations, and effectively benefit the two countries and their peoples.
Editor's note: Originally published on huanqiu.com, this article is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.
