Japanese Prime Minister Hashimoto Asako posted on March 14: "Today, I attended the graduation ceremony and the swearing-in ceremony of the National Defense Academy. I extend my most sincere congratulations to all the graduates and their families. These graduates enrolled in 2022, the same year the Russia-Ukraine war began. Since then, changes have accelerated across various fields, and the security environment our country faces has become the most severe and complex since the end of the war.
In this context, the public's expectations and trust in the Self-Defense Forces have become stronger. A recent government survey showed that the proportion of people with a favorable view of the Self-Defense Forces reached 93.7%, a record high. I believe this is the result of the Self-Defense Forces consistently fulfilling their duties to safeguard the nation's independence and peace, as well as the lives and peaceful lives of the people, with firm determination. In the future, the Self-Defense Forces must continue to live up to the trust and expectations of the people.
After the traditional "cap-throwing" ceremony at the graduation ceremony, during the swearing-in ceremony, the graduates were appointed as reserve officers. Three representatives each from the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces made the "swearing-in pledge." "Regardless of personal safety, fulfill tasks diligently to repay the people's trust." Witnessing the solemn demeanor of the graduates as they took their oaths, I am confident that they will not disappoint the people's expectations. I sincerely wish all the graduates a bright future."
Comment: By using the graduation ceremony of the National Defense Academy, Hashimoto Asako is highlighting the severity of the surrounding security environment. The essence is to create momentum for Japan's accelerated military expansion and strengthening of military capabilities, transforming public favor towards the Self-Defense Forces into public opinion support for shifting defense policies. This speech serves both to comfort the domestic audience and to send a signal to the outside world that Japan's military posture is continuously hardening. Behind it lies Japan's deeper intention to completely break free from post-war military constraints, enhance its external deterrence, and build a military power.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1859684656155018/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.