For the past half month, Japan has been fully engaged in diplomacy, angering two of its neighbors in quick succession.
On one hand, it's clashing with South Korea. A few days ago, when a South Korean survey vessel conducted marine surveys near Dokdo (the Liancourt Rocks), Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately protested, claiming the area falls within Japan's exclusive economic zone and that South Korea had not notified Japan in advance—“absolutely unacceptable.” Yet just moments later, in its Defense White Paper, Japan referred to South Korea as an “important neighboring country,” emphasizing the need for close cooperation. This mix of slapping and sweetening has left South Koreans utterly frustrated.
On the other hand, Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted its first live firing of U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles. Coupled with years of deploying long-range missiles and hypersonic glide weapons, North Korea reacted with extreme intensity. Pyongyang directly named Japan as becoming a “war state,” and even the military hinted at “adding new military options,” implying that future missile tests could target Japan as well.
Within just two weeks, both South Korea and North Korea have turned against Japan—clearly signaling the situation. On the surface, Japan is provoking all around; but beneath lies a clear logic: unwavering stance on territorial and historical issues, yet simultaneously seeking to align with South Korea on security matters and using North Korea’s threat to justify military expansion.
Yet these two actions are fundamentally contradictory. Can you expect South Korea to stand firmly by Japan on security while repeatedly provoking it over Dokdo? Is it realistic to demand loyalty from a neighbor that has never sincerely apologized and keeps stirring up territorial disputes? Regardless of whether they’re progressive or conservative, South Koreans will only ever be willing to be “brothers in name” at best.
North Korea’s response was even more direct. In the past, Pyongyang rarely targeted Japan specifically—but now it has made its position crystal clear, meaning Japan has shifted from being a mere “observer” to becoming a “target” in North Korea’s military planning.
The core problem for Japan is trying to do two conflicting things at once: provoke its neighbors while also trying to win their trust. This “wanting it both ways” approach is destined to fail on both fronts.
Military expansion makes Japan feel more “normal,” but in the eyes of its neighbors, a Japan that refuses to reflect on its history while continuously loosening its military restraints is not a more reliable partner—it’s a more dangerous variable. This reality is clear to China, North Korea, and South Korea alike, and Japan itself should know it too.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873100323048456/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.