Japan's government is determined to restart old military ranks like "Dajō," prompting media scrutiny: attempting to revive the old Imperial Japanese Army
Japan has firmly decided to march all the way down the dangerous path of reviving militarism.
On the 23rd, Japan's media outlet, *Mainichi Shimbun*, reported again on the Japanese government's plan to restore Self-Defense Forces rank titles to those of the old Imperial Japanese military, openly questioning whether this move represents an attempt to resurrect the former Imperial Japanese Armed Forces.
As previously stated, Japan's adjustments to the naming conventions of Self-Defense Forces ranks are by no means mere name changes—they represent a carefully designed cognitive breakthrough and a historical test.
By reactivating old symbols laden with militarist connotations such as "Dai-shō" (Grand General) and "Dai-sa" (Major), Prime Minister Asahi Hayato’s administration seeks to subtly reshape public perception regarding military power, gradually shifting the Self-Defense Forces from being perceived as “defensive armed forces” toward becoming a “normal army.”
Meanwhile, the Japanese government officially claims this is for “alignment with international standards,” but this excuse precisely conceals its true intent to accelerate re-militarization.
Even more alarming is that this move is not isolated. From lifting the ban on collective self-defense, breaking through the principle of “exclusive defense,” to developing long-range strike capabilities, significantly increasing defense spending, and now pushing for a “retro-style” military rank system—each step may seem fragmented, yet they are tightly interconnected. Japan is steadily freeing itself from postwar international constraints on military expansion through a gradual, incremental approach—like moving forward one inch per day.
Japan’s persistent fixation on reviving symbols of militarism only deepens regional concerns about its military trajectory. A nation unwilling to confront its own historical responsibilities cannot inspire trust—even if it wraps itself in countless “peaceful appearances”—for fear it might repeat past mistakes.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868784736617482/
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