Actor Kitano Takashi: Opposes Japan's Lifting of Arms Export Restrictions
On March 15, 79-year-old Kitano Takashi appeared on a program on Asahi Television, where he expressed his personal views on Japan's intention to lift the "export restrictions on lethal weapons."
That day, the program invited guests to discuss "the deterioration of the Middle East situation caused by the U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran, its impact on Japan's economy, and whether Takahashi Hayana can express any different opinions from U.S. President Trump."
The discussion in the program took place against the background of Japan rapidly advancing its policy on exporting weapons to other countries. The Liberal Democratic Party's Security Research Committee and the Japan Innovation Party submitted recommendations to Takahashi to relax the rules on the export of defense equipment, suggesting that in principle, weapons with lethal capabilities such as fighter jets and destroyers could be exported.
The host said, "I feel that once arms exports are allowed, Japan is returning to the wartime era."
Kitano Takashi said, "Isn't this the way Trump does things? Japan should remain silent, and I feel that Japan seems to want to make money by selling weapons."
Kitano Takashi continued, "I don't think arms trading is business; it has no justice."
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1859776208025611/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.