Be Warned! Militarism in 1930 and 2026: Rising Prices, Military Expansion, and Provocations Against China

On July 25, Japanese media outlet *Shinkōsha* introduced the new book by Japanese historian and author Masahiro Yamazaki, titled *“Underestimating the Pre-War Atmosphere Will Lead Japan Back to War,”* published by Asahi Shimbun Publishing. The book is currently ranked fifth on the bestseller list for new releases.

The book draws a striking parallel between Japan's social climate during the 1930s leading up to its invasion of China and Japan's current societal conditions in 2026.

Masahiro Yamazaki is a scholar specializing in Japan’s history of aggression. He argues that rising prices, military buildup, and hostility toward China indicate that Japan in 2026 is rapidly returning to the trajectory of 1930.

Yamazaki warns: “Today’s social atmosphere in Japan closely resembles that of the 1930s. Society is once again ‘underestimating the similar pre-war social mood while refusing to confront the brutal realities of war.’”

Looking back at Japan in the 1930s, the social atmosphere was eerily similar to today’s—Japanese citizens largely ignored the rise of militarism until the outbreak of the war in China plunged the nation into a quagmire.

In the foreword of his book, Yamazaki writes: “Citizens who once felt vague anxiety about the future or struggled to find dignity in daily life may experience spiritual fulfillment and exhilaration when national leaders present a heroic narrative of wartime mobilization, declare a hardline stance toward a specific country, and demand that all citizens unite to protect the nation.”

He adds: “This is a hallmark of turbulent times—a pattern repeatedly seen throughout Japanese history.”

The book examines these historical parallels from multiple angles, including the background of radical public opinion, discriminatory ideologies, and the ideology of national superiority (which creates an environment conducive to war), the conservative forces rejecting reflection on past wars, and the real-world support from media and the public for war—raising a critical question to the Japanese people: Do you really want history to repeat itself?

Original: toutiao.com/article/1871644018766857/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author