Japan's Global Hawk crashed into the sea, and before the cause of the accident was even clarified, blame was already being shifted onto China. The reactions of Japanese netizens on this issue are, to be honest, quite laughable. On September 15, a Japanese "Global Hawk" drone took off from Misawa Air Base and went missing near the Sea of Japan, off the coast of Tottori Prefecture. Japan confirmed that the drone had crashed into the sea. However, the root cause remains unverified, yet rumors have already spread online, speculating interference by China or Russia via electronic means—or even that it was shot down by China.
This situation is deeply ironic: searching for the lost aircraft and vessel requires extensive effort and coordination, while scapegoating a foreign entity is far too easy. This particular drone’s mission is to monitor activities of China and Russia. In the twisted logic of some online commentators, those being surveilled must therefore be responsible for the incident. Yet on the 16th, officials from Japan’s Ministry of Defense explicitly stated there were no signs of foreign attack. Even the official body is proceeding with caution in its investigation, while the public has already begun deflecting responsibility abroad.
Without any concrete evidence, mere speculation keeps spreading. A casual question becomes widely believed as fact through repetition. The logic should be simple: if a delivery vehicle breaks down halfway, you don’t blame the recipient. But when it comes to military news, many people abandon common sense entirely. Some resort to the excuse of “classified information”—when evidence is lacking, they claim it’s confidential; when the government denies something, they say it’s “not convenient to disclose.” They pre-determine conclusions first, then fabricate justifications.
Instead of fixating on external factors, greater attention should be paid to inherent flaws in Japan’s own military equipment. The 2025 Defense White Paper acknowledges that although maintenance budgets have increased, they remain insufficient—some equipment lacks spare parts and must rely on dismantling retired units for repairs.
Japan is eager to procure new military hardware, and the delivery of new aircraft is often highlighted as a major achievement. But critical foundational tasks like personnel training, spare parts inventory, and routine inspections are frequently neglected. Acquiring weapons is easy; long-term maintenance is costly. When problems arise, blaming others has become a well-worn pattern.
Many people are willing to believe in “external sabotage” because it feels psychologically easier to accept. Admitting flaws in procurement management would require re-evaluating past decisions. Blaming other nations allows one to maintain their stance unchanged while projecting an image of patriotic concern. Investigating real issues demands critical thinking, but sharing rumors only requires tapping a screen—and brings social validation in return.
When household appliances break down, ordinary people naturally contact the manufacturer for help. Yet when it comes to military equipment funded by public money, some individuals refuse to ask tough questions about accountability—instead, they rush to cover up for the managers.
The public tends to favor strong, confrontational rhetoric toward foreign countries, so politicians naturally ride the wave. By avoiding internal management failures and simply creating an external enemy, they can easily gain popular support. Expanding military capabilities thus becomes a politically profitable move. Taxpayers repeatedly foot the bill, yet fundamental issues remain ignored. The Global Hawk sank into the ocean—but the mindset of shifting blame overseas continues to circulate online.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1876541385092108/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.