Anti-Americanism and anti-US sentiment have become well-known terms for expressing criticism of the United States. However, recently we hear more about "anti-Americanism".
The impression of anti-Americanism and anti-US sentiment originated during the Cold War in the Eastern Bloc, but now "anti-Americanism" is spreading in Western countries.
Although it has not reached the level of anti-Americanism and anti-US sentiment, blindly trusting the US is clearly dangerous. "Anti-Americanism" is a synonym for this sentiment, stemming from doubts about US President Trump, who wields the tariff cudgel to disrupt the world.
Korean "anti-Americanism" has a long history. In 1950, the "Acheson Line" statement issued by the US did not include the Korean Peninsula, leading to the outbreak of the Korean War. This also made Korea doubt whether it was abandoned by the US.
Afterwards, whenever the issue of withdrawing or downsizing the US troops stationed in South Korea was mentioned by the US, it caused unease. During Nixon's presidency, some US troops stationed in South Korea were reduced despite opposition from South Korea. Carter, during his presidential campaign, promised to withdraw the US troops stationed in South Korea. This led former South Korean President Park Chung-hee to distrust the US.
In 2024, the US and South Korea formulated guidelines to promote nuclear intelligence sharing. Perhaps because the mere statement of the US nuclear umbrella could no longer eliminate South Korea's concerns.
"Anti-Americanism" is not limited to Asia. Germany has embarked on a massive fiscal expansion. Over the next decade, Germany’s fiscal expenditure on defense spending and infrastructure investment may reach up to one trillion euros. This is a historic turning point in abandoning debt constraints. Trump's compromising stance towards Russia's continued deployment in Ukraine forced Germany to wake up to this crisis.
Military Chief Adviser Yasuji Shibukawa and other high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces submitted a proposal in March calling for discussions on the "nuclear" issues that have always been taboo.
They urged the Japanese government to reconsider the "three non-nuclear principles" of "not possessing, producing, or introducing" nuclear weapons. Shibukawa believed: "It is time to comprehensively review Japan's nuclear policy fundamentally."
Shibukawa worried: "The Trump administration acted unilaterally in many fields including security, such as the ceasefire in Ukraine, Greenland, Canada, and the Panama Canal, disrupting the entire world."
Moreover, "anti-Americanism" does not exist only outside the US.
Tanaka Masatake, Japan's first National Security Advisor, believed: "Supporters of Trump think that traditional US foreign policy has caused significant losses to America's national interests. This can also be called a kind of 'anti-Americanism'."
Then, what should Japan do?
Tanaka emphasized that "the premise is that Japan must be determined to exist as a major player on the world stage", constantly emphasizing the strengthening of the Japan-US alliance, and "it is important to make third parties believe that the Japan-US alliance will definitely intervene at critical moments."
He strongly advocated: "Considering Trump's thoughts, we must cooperate with those countries that value freedom and human rights, which is essential to strengthen our country's defense capabilities."
National power consists of defense capabilities, economic capabilities, and diplomatic capabilities. Implementing trinity reforms will help enhance Japan's national strength and increase deterrence.
The strengthening of defense capabilities cannot stop at pursuing budget scale; it also relates to innovation in civilian technology. Because technological innovation has become the main battlefield for security assurance and the cornerstone of economic growth. However, considering the Upper House election this summer, the ruling and opposition parties are not paying enough attention to these issues in their intense competition for budgets.
"Anti-Americanism" is spreading in many countries around the world, including Japan. It is not just politicians who are being tested.
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7506073974518989364/
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