Int'l community must stay vigilant against moves of Japanese neo-militarism: Spanish experts

Multiple Spanish scholars and industry experts are raising alarm over the Japanese government's recent moves, including relaxing arms export controls, warning that such steps could undermine regional and world peace, and urging the international community to respond with vigilance and condemnation.

"The Japanese government's recent moves run counter to the post-World War II consensus. They are endangering not just regional stability, but global stability as well -- and that is deeply worrying. In my view, any action that threatens peace and stability, such as the rise of extreme nationalism in Japan, must be met with the highest vigilance. The international community should also voice strong condemnation. We must learn the lessons of history, and we must avoid repeating the mistakes of the 20th century," said Ramon Calduch, a Spanish scholar.

"Japan still faces many unresolved historical issues left over from the past. To this day, Japan has not apologized for the war crimes it committed in China and across Asia during World War II," said Marcelo Munoz, president emeritus of the Spanish Catedra China Foundation.

"Japan needs to change its mindset and start seeing the world through a more multilateral lens. In the past, Japan was the source of several major crises, and launched wars that caused immense suffering and loss of life. The world today should not repeat the mistakes of war -- it must take the path of peace. Japan should stand for peace, dialogue, and cooperation, not for war, conflict, or rivalry," said Marta Montoro, chairwoman of the Spanish Catedra China Foundation.

Int'l community must stay vigilant against moves of Japanese neo-militarism: Spanish experts

In the week ending April 17, U.S. exports of crude oil and petroleum products reached nearly 12.9 million barrels per day, hitting new record highs, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Statistics from the agency show an upward trend in the country's recent total crude oil and products exports.

From April 11 to 17, crude oil exports were roughly 4.8 million barrels per day, while crude oil product exports amounted to nearly 8.1 million barrels a day, both creating new records.

Matt Smith, an analyst from Kepler, reckoned that as the war in the Middle East continues, the global market is forced to find alternative suppliers for crude oil and petroleum products, which has driven up U.S. fuel exports.

However, some analysts also warned that although the increase of U.S. fuel exports has brought substantial profits for energy enterprises, the rising fuel prices are likely to further intensify domestic inflation.

US crude oil, petroleum products exports hit record highs