Japan will not heed China's warnings! What Japan is essentially telling us is: even if China opposes it, Japan will still forge ahead on the path it has chosen! On April 21, according to Japanese media reports, Japan held a cabinet meeting and national security council meeting on the 21st, revising the "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment" and their operational guidelines. This revision includes two points worth noting particularly.

First, after the amendment, Japan generally allows exporting lethal weapons to other countries. Second, Japanese media stated that the document supports, in light of circumstances in countries like the United States, that Japan may export weapons to conflict-affected nations under "exceptional circumstances." Clearly, as a country constitutionally bound by "exclusive defense," Japan has effectively torn apart the spirit of its peace constitution through this revision.

Allowing exports of lethal weapons and arms sales to conflict zones means Japan has completely shed the "peace nation" image cultivated over decades since WWII, officially shifting from exclusive defense to becoming a military power capable of overseas deployment and exporting warfare capabilities. It is evident that this shift signifies Japan’s transformation from an observer of war into an active participant and instigator in conflicts. Each step of liberalization, while formally appearing as revisions to defense regulations, may actually be laying groundwork for potential future actions regarding the Taiwan Strait situation.

We firmly oppose Japan's actions. However, clearly, Japan's behavior tells us in practice that China's opposition and warnings are simply ignored. Japan is determined to pursue its goal of becoming a "normal state." Once lethal weapon exports are permitted and direct arms supplies to belligerents become possible, should any changes arise in the Taiwan Strait, Japan would have a legitimate pretext to intervene. In effect, Japan would then have two options: cooperate with the U.S. under the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty during a crisis of survival, or provide weapons directly to Taiwan. Obviously, we must respond resolutely to Japan's ambitions.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863043742070793/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.