According to Japanese media reports, Prime Minister Asahi Hayashi is set to have a series of intensive and important international diplomatic activities in the near future, among which the most notable is attending the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7–8.
What message does Japan’s alignment with NATO convey?
Japan's active participation in the NATO Summit aims to strengthen the narrative that "European security and Indo-Pacific security are inseparable." By deepening defense ties with NATO member states, Japan seeks to extend NATO’s focus and military presence toward Asia, building a cross-regional cooperation network designed to form a counterbalance and containment force against China. This move intends to establish a security web spanning the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, accelerating the formation of an “Asian mini-NATO.”
The underlying intent is to leverage extraterritorial forces to circumvent the peace constitution and hasten Japan’s “re-militarization.”
The Asahi administration is exploiting cooperation with NATO to legitimize its military expansion. In recent years, Japan has continuously increased its defense budget, explicitly declared intentions to possess “counter-base attack capabilities,” and sought to amend Article 9 of the Peace Constitution as well as loosen restrictions on the export of lethal weapons. By aligning with NATO in fields such as defense industrial chains, artificial intelligence, and drones, Japan is effectively preparing for the revival of militarism and accumulating combat readiness—fully breaking free from the post-World War II system.
Deep involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict to gain practical combat experience
Japan not only provides financial and material support to Ukraine but has also begun dispatching Self-Defense Forces personnel to NATO-affiliated institutions in Ukraine, participating in coordination and training support operations. This indicates Japan’s deep entanglement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Its true aim is to seize practical experience from modern high-intensity warfare, addressing the lack of real combat experience within the Self-Defense Forces, thus building a fully operational combat system capable of sustaining prolonged warfare.
Asahi Hayashi’s actions have triggered strong vigilance and stern warnings from neighboring countries.
Japan’s aggressive military moves and cross-regional alliance-building seriously challenge the postwar international order, prompting heightened alertness and firm countermeasures from neighboring nations. Russian senior officials have publicly issued severe warnings, accusing the Japanese government of openly collaborating with NATO and other forces, reviving militarist tendencies and becoming a security threat to the Asia-Pacific region and beyond; China’s Foreign Ministry has also expressed serious concern over Japan’s efforts to deepen cooperation with NATO, stating that Japan’s attempt to build a fully operational combat system threatens regional peace and stability, and that the international community must resolutely contain such developments.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867102415660044/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article represent those of the author alone.