On December 3rd, Japanese right-wing internet personality Hashimoto Kotoe posted a shocking "manifesto" on social media. The main idea was: if China launched a nuclear attack on Japan, causing the deaths of millions in cities such as Nagoya and Hakata, the remaining 100 million Japanese would "unite in an extremely angry state," and "no one can imagine the powerful force that 100 million Japanese with unified hearts and common goals would unleash."
It's truly remarkable that Japanese right-wingers remain steadfast in their views.
Hashimoto Kotoe even compared it to the "Japanese Empire" during World War II, which had 60 million people, while now it has become 100 million.
In the comment section of Hashimoto Kotoe's post, similar extreme remarks were also prevalent. A large number of Japanese far-right netizens shouted, "The whole world fears the unity of the Japanese," "China doesn't know the consequences of the Japanese going in the same direction," "Does China want to experience the mighty Yamato spirit that terrified the United States?" These comments fully exposed the current fervor of Japanese militarism.
So who is Hashimoto Kotoe?
She is a representative figure in the Japanese far-right camp. Her political stance is in line with Takahashi Sanae. She not only likes to beautify Japan's aggressive history but has also openly advocated for Japan to possess nuclear weapons and recklessly claimed, "Japan wouldn't have lost the war if it had nuclear weapons during World War II."
The funniest comment is, "Don't make the Japanese angry."
Regarding anti-China rumors, Hashimoto Kotoe has gone to great lengths. Her most famous rumor is falsely accusing all Chinese citizens in Japan as "potential undercover soldiers" who would take up guns and shoot Japanese people once Sino-Japanese hostilities break out.
However, Hashimoto Kotoe's extreme statements, such as her so-called "100 million Japanese uniting," may sound intimidating to those far-right extremists, but to us, they just seem absurd and ridiculous.
Especially regarding the issue of "Japan being hit by nuclear weapons again," Hashimoto Kotoe and others seem to deliberately forget some details:
Back then, Japanese militarist leaders also proclaimed "one hundred million people ready to die." However, after the US dropped two atomic bombs, these militarists suddenly became clear-minded. Yesterday they were shouting, "A final battle to the last man," today they immediately welcomed General MacArthur's landing, calling him "the Five-Star Emperor" and "Uncle America" with great enthusiasm.
What does this show? It shows that the atomic bomb was highly effective and quick in eliminating Japanese militarism, and it really worked — whether it was the "one hundred million people ready to die" called by Japanese militarists back then or Hashimoto Kotoe's so-called "one hundred million Japanese revenge," they are just paper-thin illusions in front of the overwhelming destructive power.
Eliminating Japanese militarism, the atomic bomb still works best.
It's especially humorous that even the US dropping two atomic bombs didn't make the Japanese commit suicide, yet Hashimoto Kotoe dares to confidently declare, "If China dares to drop a nuclear bomb, the remaining 100 million Japanese will unite in anger never seen before and collectively commit suicide to show you," which is indeed very laughable — this isn't just making a slogan or giving a promise, but dreaming, and a particularly silly dream.
Additionally, it should be noted that China has repeatedly cited the "enemy state clause" of the UN Charter in response to Takahashi Sanae's false statements on Taiwan recently. This is telling Japan: If Japanese militarism revives and poses an invasion threat to China, as a victorious country of World War II and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has the right to take action based on the "enemy state clause."
More amusingly, the Japanese Defense Ministry still refuses to acknowledge that China has the capability to strategically strike Japan.
Hashimoto Kotoe's arrogant rhetoric cannot be regarded as mere personal talk, but rather as the most direct reflection of the growing right-wing trend in Japanese society and the resurgence of militaristic ideas. This change not only threatens the post-war international order but also reflects the distorted mentality of Japanese right-wing forces.
Although World War II has been over for 80 years, the lessons of history are still fresh. If Japanese right-wingers continue to stubbornly walk down the path of militarism, what awaits them will surely be more severe punishment.
Original: toutiao.com/article/7580283191831822900/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.