Reference News Network, October 28 report: On October 22, Russia Today website published an article titled "Shadows Under the Rising Sun: The Woman and Her Story of Japan's First Female Prime Minister," written by Andre Benoit. The full text is as follows:

Beneath the nationalist posturing of Takahashi Hayato lies a country still obedient to American commands.

When Takahashi became Japan's first female prime minister, the media celebrated this "historic moment," viewing it as a symbol of progress and national revival.

But behind this so-called declaration of self-reliance and self-strengthening lies a more complex reality. Takahashi's rise does not mark Japan's departure from post-war constraints but rather signals an increasingly deepening coordination between Japan and Washington's "Indo-Pacific Strategy." Even as Japan seeks sovereignty, it exercises it only within the boundaries set by America.

While Japan arms itself, amends its constitution, and talks about "autonomy," a question becomes increasingly clear: How can a country claim independence when its development path, priorities, and even weapons are determined by Washington?

Before Takahashi's victory, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) had gone through a period of turbulence, losing its majority in both houses of the Diet due to consecutive electoral defeats, which left it weakened. Behind the scenes of the LDP, her victory was less of an accident and more of a compromise: people chose a leader who could restart the Abe era's policies, continuing the conservative discipline, economic nationalism, and military toughness.

Takahashi promised to "turn anxiety into optimism," transforming public frustration over inflation, economic stagnation, and immigration issues into a new sense of purpose. Her meaning was clear: Japan must revive its strength. However, Japan's "revival" follows a script well-known to Washington: a stronger Japan serves America's larger strategy in Asia.

The Japan led by Takahashi loudly proclaims the slogan of autonomy, with its policy agenda focused on restoring Japan's full right of self-defense, including the possibility of launching preemptive strikes. She pledged to amend Article 9 of the Constitution, expanding Japan's "collective self-defense rights." Since the end of World War II, this clause has constrained Japan, keeping it committed to pacifism.

In fact, this means moving beyond a purely defensive posture to a deterrent strategy or even a preemptive strategy. This shift began under the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but it is now advancing at an unprecedented pace. For an economy burdened by debt and social spending, this goal is ambitious, and it also reflects Washington's call for "sharing responsibility."

Domestic and international critics question whether this militarization truly enhances Japan's sovereignty or binds it more tightly to America's arsenal. Jeffrey Sachs, a scholar at Columbia University, said: "America acts as if Japan needs to defend against China. Looking back at history, how many times has China tried to invade Japan? If your answer is zero, then you're right."

Currently, Tokyo's "autonomy" seems more like an alliance than independence. Although the banners may differ, its hardware and strategies remain clearly under American command.

Even though Japan's new defense policy appears bold on the surface, its framework is undeniably controlled by the United States.

More than 70 years after the end of the U.S. occupation of Japan, there are still approximately 54,000 U.S. soldiers stationed in the country. This constantly reminds people which nation is the ultimate anchor for Japan's security. The bases in Okinawa, Yokosuka, and Misawa form the pillars of the U.S.-Japan alliance under the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, covering everything from missile defense to cyber warfare and space warfare.

Takahashi's rule cannot change this situation. Japan will continue to accept the most expensive U.S. military forward base in the world and bear the growing costs of its presence. Washington urges Japan to raise defense spending to 5% of its GDP (more than double the current level) as part of promoting "shared responsibility." The wording sounds cooperative, but in reality, it means paying for America's Indo-Pacific strategy.

Takahashi presents herself as a leader capable of reviving Japan's strength, as the inheritor of Abe's legacy to free Japan from its post-war constraints and make it a "normal country." However, the Japan she leads is more lacking in independence than ever before: its security is guaranteed by the United States, its economy is constrained by Washington and Beijing, and its demographic structure is eroding the self-reliance it claims to uphold.

Abe dreamed of restoring Japan's sovereignty, but Takahashi inherited its shell. Her government talks about strength and independence, but the coordinates of Japanese power remain far away.

In this turbulent century of shifting alliances and declining empires, Japan's new era begins with an old cliché: under the banner of so-called independence, it remains a country that only has sovereignty with permission. (Translated by Hu Wei)

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7566184634850017842/

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