Editor's note: Zhou Xin is an observer on international affairs, focusing on the Asia-Pacific region. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

In 1922, the renowned scholar Bertrand Russell predicted in his work The Problem of China: "In the long run, I believe that Japan must dominate the Far East or go under. If the Japanese had a different character, this would not be the case; but the nature of their ambitions makes them exclusive and unneighborly."  

At the time, Japan was in the era of militarist expansion, with a rampant worship of force and blind faith in power. This ultimately turned Japan into a "perilous neighbor" that wrought havoc across the region. Japanese militarism brought untold suffering to Asian countries and also led to its own catastrophic downfall. More than a century has passed since Russell's prophecy, and 80 years have elapsed since the victory of the anti-fascist war and the defeat of Japanese militarism. Yet even today, this prophecy still serves as a stark warning.

Why does this warning still resonate? Because after World War II (WWII), rather than reflecting and repenting, Japan has seen a resurgence of militarism that has grown increasingly intense. Since taking office,  Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has made reckless remarks on the Taiwan question, repeatedly crossed lines in territorial disputes and stubbornly sought to whitewash history and break free from constraints on military issues.  

All this has aroused high vigilance among neighboring countries. Across the region, nearly all of Japan's neighbors are on guard against this unfriendly neighbor. Takaichi and the right-wing forces are pushing Japan into an isolated position – "detested by all neighbors," – and once again casting it as a "perilous neighbor" in the region.

With regard to China, Takaichi has made extremely irresponsible and fallacious remarks on the Taiwan question, grossly interfered in China's internal affairs and trodden on the red line of China's sovereignty. Yet she has consistently refused to retract her statements or apologize, pushing China-Japan relations to the lowest point since normalization.

With regard to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), while the Takaichi administration publicly expressed willingness to hold direct talks with the DPRK's leader, it decided in November 2025 to extend unilateral sanctions against the DPRK for another two years. In response, the DPRK has labeled Japan a "war criminal state," and stated that Takaichi's right-wing background and her acts such as visiting the Yasukuni Shrine showed disrespect for history. It demands that Japan address its historical crimes, rejecting what it characterizes as hypocritical posturing.

With regard to Russia, Takaichi has repeatedly listed the issue of the Southern Kuril Islands (known as the "Northern Territories" in Japan) as a core issue in Japan-Russia relations in cabinet meetings and policy speeches, claiming that "the Northern Territories are Japan's inherent territory and must be recovered." The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov pointed out that due to Japan's "unfriendly" stance toward Russia, Russia-Japan relations had hit rock bottom. After meeting with members of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, the Russian Foreign Ministry explicitly stated in a press release that to restore exchanges between Russia and Japan, "Japan needs to abandon its hostile policies."

Even toward the Republic of Korea (ROK), Japan's so-called ally, Takaichi has shown no mercy. In a parliamentary response on December 9, 2025, she declared that "Takeshima (known as Dokdo in the ROK) is Japan's inherent territory in terms of both historical facts and international law." This marked the first time that a Japanese prime minister had asserted Japan's sovereignty claim over Dokdo in such a direct and forceful manner in the Diet, Japan's highest legislative body.  

On February 22, 2026, despite strong opposition from the ROK, Japan insisted on holding the "Takeshima Day" event in Shimane Prefecture with senior government officials in attendance. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi once again claimed in the Diet that "Takeshima is Japan's inherent territory." In response, the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Japanese diplomats twice within three days to protest and issued statements demanding that Japan halt the event and retract its relevant remarks.

How has Japan, which has always touted itself as a "peace-loving country," ended up in a situation where it is "detested by all neighbors"?

First, challenging the post-WWII international order is the root cause. The cornerstone of the post-war international order consists of a series of legally binding documents such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender. One of their core tenets is the clear definition of Japan's territorial scope. However, the Takaichi administration has repeatedly stoked tensions and crossed lines on territorial issues, making provocative claims over the Diaoyu Islands, the Southern Kuril Islands and Dokdo. With the Takaichi administration repeatedly making such provocations, how can neighboring countries like China, Russia and the ROK not feel repulsed?

Moreover, promoting military expansion and exacerbating regional tensions pose a real danger. Citing the need to respond to crises, the Takaichi administration is in fact preparing for war, increasing defense spending for the 14th consecutive year, reinforcing the Japan-US alliance, and fanning the flames on the East China Sea, the Taiwan question and the South China Sea, going even further than the US. The trend of militarist resurrection is evident, and Japanese scholars have issued warnings of a "return to the pre-WWII era." When a country that once launched wars of aggression goes back on its peace commitments and embarks on frenzied military expansion, how can its neighboring countries not be on high alert?

Furthermore, disregarding historical guilt and tearing apart trust with neighbors constitute the fatal crux. Since modern times, Japanese militarism has brought untold suffering to the people of Asia and the rest of the world. Yet the Takaichi administration has shown no meaningful reflection or repentance; instead, it has gone to great lengths to cover up, whitewash, and change the verdict on history.  

Such blatant trampling on historical truth has severely hurt the feelings of people in victim countries and completely shattered the possibility of rebuilding trust with neighboring countries. How can neighboring countries bridge their divides with and befriend a government that dares not even acknowledge its historical guilt?

Japan currently faces a historic choice. Will it make a clean break with militarism and embark on the right path of peaceful development? Or will it continue to walk alone, hijacked by right-wing forces, reverting to the old path of aggression and destruction?  

If the Takaichi administration intends to prove that Japan is not a "perilous neighbor," it must stop challenging the post-war international order, face up to history, respect the rule of law and abide by its commitments. Neighboring countries must also keep their eyes wide open, jointly safeguard the fruits of victory in WWII and the post-war international order, and ensure that the tragedy foreseen a century ago is not repeated itself in 21st century Asia. 

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