Ichirō Ozawa: "It's already too late."
Former House of Representatives member and leader of the Centrist Reform Coalition, Ichirō Ozawa, updated his X account on May 17, 2026. He cited former Prime Minister Tanaka Kakuei to express concerns about the current crisis facing Japan.
Ozawa commented on the Defense Ministry’s decision to revise Self-Defense Forces officer ranks—changing "Maj. Gen." to "General," "1st Lt." to "Major," and "1st Lt." (junior) to "Captain"—effectively restoring military rank titles from Japan's militarist era.
Regarding this move, Ozawa quoted former Prime Minister Tanaka Kakuei: "If those who truly understand war are in charge, Japan will be safe; but if those who don't understand war become central figures in this nation, it would be extremely dangerous."
Ozawa warned: "Japan is now becoming exactly what Tanaka Kakuei once feared."
In another update on the 18th, Ozawa referenced news that the approval rating of the Kōchi Cabinet had reached 61%. He shared: "Recently, I've often heard voices expressing concern, asking, 'Is Japan going to be okay?' Despite the high approval rating of the Kōchi Cabinet, public anxiety and sense of crisis are stronger than ever before. Sky-high housing prices and declining population are accelerating. The promise of zero food consumption tax remains unresolved."
Ozawa stated: "Incompetent politics. That's why elections matter. But it's already too late."
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865511158321155/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.