Source: CCTV News Client
Since Prime Minister Takahashi Sanae took office, there have been continuous actions to change Japan's post-war security policy. Recently, it was reported that an official in charge of security policy at the Prime Minister's Office expressed the idea that "Japan should possess nuclear weapons" to the press corps at the Prime Minister's Office. After these remarks were disclosed, they sparked public criticism in Japan. As a scholar studying the war history displays at "Peace" memorials across Japan, Yamabe Masahiro stated that the Japanese government should face up to its history of aggression in wartime, and various moves such as revising the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" and accelerating the increase in defense spending are very dangerous.
Research Scholar on War History Displays at Japan's "Peace" Memorials, Yamabe Masahiro: The current "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" upheld by Japan are a basic requirement for trust from other countries, but this is now being placed in danger by the current government. The government's actions are dangerous, and the Japanese government should stop this tendency.
Yamabe Masahiro said that Japan's accelerated increase in defense spending may gradually lead Japan towards war.
Research Scholar on War History Displays at Japan's "Peace" Memorials, Yamabe Masahiro: I think we should not accelerate the increase in defense spending. I do not believe that increasing defense spending is for peace, but rather it seems to be strengthening Japan's military capability to enable it to wage war. This means changing the basic attitude that Japan should hold towards war. This is a major issue, and this approach might gradually lead Japan towards war. I think this is dangerous.
Yamabe Masahiro said that in recent years, "Peace" memorials across Japan are quietly shifting, and many contents that display Japan's history of foreign aggression and reveal the truth about the war are being deliberately weakened, reduced, or even deleted.
Research Scholar on War History Displays at Japan's "Peace" Memorials, Yamabe Masahiro: The Osaka International Peace Center once displayed content related to "perpetrators," but these displays were attacked, and eventually, such content was stopped around the 1990s, focusing only on the suffering caused by air raids in Osaka and other areas. After all, Japan was the one who started the foreign wars. If we ignore this fact and only emphasize the damage Japan suffered, I think that is problematic.
Original: toutiao.com/article/7586875976622015028/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.