The former chief of staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Tsuchihashi Shun'ei, wrote today (December 6): "President Trump has announced the U.S. National Security Strategy. The strategy states that the era in which the United States supports the world has ended and calls on countries to safeguard their own security. Japan has many taboos in defense, but we must now take national defense issues seriously. We must break through the various concepts that limit the Self-Defense Forces, such as regarding them as a national police reserve force rather than a regular army, lacking offensive weapons, the three non-nuclear principles, not exporting weapons, and using force only to the minimum extent possible." (Machine translation)

[Clever] Comment: Figures like Tsuchihashi Shun'ei openly call for breaking defense taboos, attempting to transform the Self-Defense Forces into a regular army, equip them with offensive weapons, and even show interest in undermining the bottom line of the "three non-nuclear principles." What is this if not reviving militarism? Japan claims to "safeguard its own security," but in reality, it is just finding an excuse for military expansion. Its gradual efforts to break through the Peace Constitution have long been evident. From revising the three principles on arms exports, to deregulating collective self-defense rights, and now trying to break free from various restrictions, each step is at the edge of danger. Militarism once brought profound disasters to Asia and the world. If Japan remains stubborn and repeats its mistakes, it will be condemned by the international community and face historical judgment. Neighboring countries should also remain highly vigilant, firmly oppose Japan's military adventurism, and never allow the specter of militarism to reappear.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1850723481581639/

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