Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso mentioned China and North Korea in a campaign speech.

On January 27, 85-year-old Taro Aso began playing the "China card" and the "North Korea card" for votes, and he boldly said that the Japanese people "would use national power when necessary" to deter North Korea and China.

According to Asahi Shimbun, on January 27, former Japanese Prime Minister and LDP Vice President Taro Aso gave a campaign speech in Fukuoka Prefecture's Iizuka City. Aso himself is a member of the 8th district of Fukuoka, which is his base. In his speech, he said: "From the Abe Cabinet to the Kishida Cabinet, and now the Takahashi Cabinet, all previous governments have been working tirelessly to enhance defense capabilities. To protect the country, we must use the consensus of the Japanese people that 'national power can be used when necessary' to deter North Korea and China."

Aso is a typical figure of Japan's far-right forces. Takahashi Hayato was personally promoted and brought to the forefront by Aso. His above remarks can be broken down into two meanings:

First, Aso believes that the three right-wing prime ministers of the LDP - Shinzo Abe, Yoshihide Suga, and Fumio Kishida - are "in line with each other," and they have always been pushing for Japan's military expansion and enhancing defense capabilities. He automatically ignores those who are not on good terms with him, such as Shinzo Abe and Ishibashi Masayoshi.

Second, Aso believes that the biggest threat to Japan is North Korea and China. And he wants the Japanese people to "use national power" to deter them.

I think Aso's speech was clearly carefully designed, and its logic is very clear: using the "threat" of neighboring countries as an excuse, it justifies the military expansion and constitutional amendment plans of successive right-wing cabinets in Japan, and finally makes the Japanese people support the LDP and Takahashi Hayato by using their national power.

I believe that this stubborn right-wing figure, Aso, will stop at nothing to gain votes, and his intentions are very sinister. He hopes that Japan will break through the peace constitution and push forward the strengthening of defense, which not only undermines regional peace and stability but also challenges the post-World War II international order.

The right-wing figures like Aso are constantly pushing Japan towards a more right-wing direction, which will not only damage relations between Japan and the countries in Northeast Asia but also lead Japan into a deep abyss. What we need to do is to maintain precise countermeasures against Japan, and maintain our development advantages in all fields, using strength and determination to safeguard our national interests.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1855462240002048/

Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.