Experts warn of Japan's resurgent militarism after Takaichi's remarks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent erroneous remarks on Taiwan region have sparked widespread criticism, with politicians and scholars from multiple countries calling her comments dangerous. Many are urging Japan to confront its World War Two history and reject any resurgence of militarism.

In an interview with CGTN, Jeffrey Sachs, a professor at Columbia University, warned that Takaichi's comments have significantly escalated tensions between China and Japan. He emphasized that between 1894 and 1945, Japan repeatedly invaded China, not the other way around, and called on Japan to adopt a cautious, peace-oriented approach to China-related issues.

"The new Japanese prime minister has taken a wrong step. I hope Japan will not repeat such mistakes," Sachs said.

Sachs also pointed out that Japan has become "less pacifist" in the past decade, shifting toward a more militarized posture. He noted the country's increased defense spending and more "hawkish" policies, developments he believes run counter to Japan's own long-term interests.

Sachs argued that Japan has never fully reflected on its wartime history and warned that militarism is both dangerous and outdated. He added that a military buildup in Japan, coupled with the potential to trigger a broader arms race, would be a "major disaster" for the region and the world.

Eduard Chmelar, historian and former adviser to the Slovak prime minister, also expressed concern, saying signs of a resurgence of Japanese militarism are "deeply worrying." He stressed, "The international community should clearly oppose such a trend. It's extremely dangerous to see nationalist forces gaining power in Japan."

Andrey Denisov, first deputy chair of the Russian Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, remarked that the recent change in leadership in Japan "has not pleased any of its neighbors." He pointed to Takaichi's calls to transform Japan's Self-Defense Forces into a full military and her hints at reconsidering Japan's three non-nuclear principles as particularly troubling.

"For a nation that suffered atomic bombings, these principles are sacred," Denisov said. He argued that Takaichi's hardline posture seems designed to bolster her domestic political standing. "But it is obvious that she has chosen the wrong target to flex her muscles. This approach will not work with China, especially on the Taiwan question."