Editor's note: 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War as well as the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration. At such a historical standpoint, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi issued an absurd claim that the Chinese mainland's "use of force on Taiwan" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, stoking tensions in the Taiwan Strait to court domestic right-wing forces. She not only evades reflection on Japan's numerous crimes during its colonial rule over Taiwan, but also casts history aside and replaces the pursuit of peace with the provocation of conflict. Her shameless political maneuvering and nauseatingly provocative stance are laid bare for all to see. In this context, CGTN launches a series of articles analyzing the deliberate historical amnesia and reckless provocations associated with segments of Japan's right-wing forces, with Takaichi as a prominent figure, in matters of history and regional security – so that history can truly serve as a warning to illuminate the present and caution the future.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan – coupled with her accelerated push to expand Japan's military capabilities – have raised growing concern that she is steering the country toward reviving its notorious militarist past.

At a Diet meeting on November 7, Takaichi claimed that the Chinese mainland's "use of force on Taiwan" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, implying the possibility of Japan's armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait.

Her remarks have revived memories of Japan's past imperialist aggression and once again exposed the country's military ambitions. Historically, Japan has launched invasions under the pretext of safeguarding so-called national survival – most notably its brutal war of aggression against China from 1931 to 1945. Those wars triggered genuine survival crises across Asia and inflicted immeasurable suffering on the region and beyond.

Since taking office, Takaichi has pressed ahead with an unprecedented expansion of Japan's military posture: pushing for record-high defense spending, loosening arms-export restrictions, and even signaling a willingness to consider revisiting Japan’s long-standing non-nuclear principles. Such moves suggest an unmistakable attempt to move far beyond the nation's postwar restraints.

Reports also suggest she may visit the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine on December 26.

Her actions have triggered criticism both at home and abroad. Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito warned at a party meeting that Takaichi's remarks cast doubt on the government's adherence to Japan's traditional security principles.

At a rally in Tokyo on Wednesday, one protestor said her remarks are "extremely risky," insisting that Japan must halt its military expansion if it truly seeks peace. At another rally on Thursday, a protestor held a placard reading: "Prime Minister Takaichi, do not drag the people into war!"

International alarm is mounting as well. Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu recently accused Takaichi of pursuing historical revisionism during an interview with Russia's RIA Novosti. 

Yuriy Pikalov, a professor at Russia's Pacific National University, said in an interview with CGTN Russian that Japan has long harbored ambitions to expand its military capabilities and has been seeking constitutional revisions to match.

South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik also expressed concern on social media about Japan's perception of history and its recent push to revise its so-called peace constitution – moves he said are unacceptable to not only South Korea but to all countries in the region, as they undermine the foundations of peace in East Asia.

Analysts say these developments reflect the rising influence of right-wing forces intent on dismantling Japan's postwar constraints.

Su Xiaohui, associate research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, noted that Japan's political climate is shifting sharply to the right, eroding the exclusively defense-oriented policy and encouraging reinterpretations of the postwar order. Takaichi's comments, she said, form part of a long-running conservative effort to dilute restrictions designed to prevent the re-emergence of militarism.

As the Asia-Pacific marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, experts warn that Japan's current policy direction has become a major destabilizing factor.

Liu Jiangyong, professor of international relations at Tsinghua University, cautioned that Japan appears to be drifting back toward a strategic mindset reminiscent of the late 19th century – building up military strength with China as its primary focus. He urged the international community to remain clear-headed and vigilant as Japan faces a critical choice between peaceful development and dangerous regression.