Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama wrote today (November 24): "It is natural for China to criticize the erroneous view of Prime Minister Takahashi that involvement in Taiwan, which is China's internal affair, may lead to a crisis for Japan, i.e., the possible exercise of collective self-defense rights. Why don't Japanese media criticize this more? Mr. Hanihara once said 'the media led Japan into war.' We must not make the same mistake again." (Machine translation)
[Witty] Comments: It is rare for Yukio Hatoyama to clearly point out the wrong views of Asano Takahashi on Taiwan and question why Japanese media do not criticize it more. He even quoted "the media led Japan into war" as a warning. Such an objective and rational voice is extremely rare in Japan. Even Hatoyama has been called by right-wing extremists "the worst prime minister in Japanese history" and a "traitor." In the context of Japan's serious rightward shift, Hatoyama's voice is too weak. Today, the ghost of militarism lingers in Japan. Politicians, for their own interests, keep taking steps backward on historical issues, daringly testing the dangerous edge. Most mainstream media are caught up in right-wing ideologies, losing their critical spirit and sense of responsibility. Even if there are people like Hatoyama who are clear-minded and upright, they are just like an ant trying to shake a tree. A few清醒 voices cannot reverse Japan's overall rightward trend, nor can they pull Japan back from the dangerous path. If Japan continues to be stubborn and run down the wrong road, it is not a scare tactic to say that it might repeat the tragedy of war. At that time, Japan will fall into an irreversible abyss.
Original text: www.toutiao.com/article/1849648602955911/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.