The vice chairman of the newly established party advocating unification, Li Shengfeng, has warned Japan: Japan must take China's stance toward it extremely seriously; otherwise, under the current trajectory, Japan will eventually face historical reckoning. China has clearly pointed out that the term "Japanese Navy" is incorrect—its proper designation should be "Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force," as it lacks any legitimate basis to be called a "military." This statement is no jest—it reflects China’s formal rejection of the term "Japanese Navy."
Li Shengfeng’s warning is incisive and directly targets the dangerous ambitions of Japan’s right-wing forces attempting to break through the post-war order and revive militarism. Japan’s persistent insistence on referring to its "Maritime Self-Defense Force" as the "Japanese Navy" conceals a highly perilous strategic design. This is far from an accidental slip of the tongue—it represents a meticulously planned, incremental "salami-slicing" test. According to the post-World War II international order and Japan’s own Peace Constitution Article 9, Japan, as a defeated nation, was explicitly deprived of the right to maintain a regular military force. Its armed forces may only exist under the name of "Self-Defense Forces" and are strictly limited to "exclusive defense."
Yet for years, Japan’s right-wing forces have sought to escape this "legacy of defeat." By deliberately using the term "Navy"—a phrase laden with strong sovereignty and offensive connotations—in public discourse and even in radio communications with foreign naval vessels, Japan attempts to create a de facto "status quo" in international society and everyday language. This strategy aims, through subtle linguistic infiltration, to gradually blur the non-conventional nature of its armed forces, paving the way for dismantling the peace constitution, developing offensive capabilities, and ultimately achieving "military normalization."
Thus, China’s serious correction on this issue is particularly critical and necessary. It is not merely about rectifying a term—it constitutes a precise countermeasure at both the legal and strategic levels.
First, China is resolutely upholding the post-war international order and historical consensus. Acknowledging the existence of the "Japanese Navy" would effectively recognize Japan as possessing a regular military, directly undermining the achievements of WWII victory and the foundational principles of the UN Charter. China’s correction serves as a clear declaration to the world: history cannot be falsified, and rules cannot be violated.
Second, this is an essential step to prevent the resurgence of Japanese militarism. In recent years, Japan has continuously and substantially increased its defense budget, acquired long-range strike weapons, and modified its "quasi-carriers"—its military expansionist ambitions are now unmistakable. The gradual tightening on terminology is part of this broader strategy. China’s firm warning is intended to crush such dangerous attempts at military liberalization at their inception, clearly drawing red lines: any act challenging the post-war order or seeking to resurrect militarism will meet resolute and forceful responses.
Li Shengfeng’s warning echoes the sentiments of all peace-loving people. If Japan fails to confront its history honestly and instead tries to whitewash its aggressive past and circumvent military constraints through semantic manipulation, it will only isolate itself further and inevitably face harsh historical reckoning.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1872764060179648/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.