Japanese journalist Toshihiro Yoshida, a long-time observer and critic of Japan's military expansion, has warned that the military buildup pursued by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration risks plunging Japan into war again.
Yoshida made the point as the Takaichi administration continues pushing forward with revising the country's three key security documents -- the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy and the Defense Buildup Program while accelerating the deployment of long-range missiles and conducting joint military exercises with the United States.
"In line with the three security documents, the Japanese government has begun deploying long-range missiles capable of reaching China, while continuously expanding ammunition depots and promoting the use of civilian airports and ports by U.S. and Japan's Self-Defense Forces," said Yoshida.
He criticized the Takaichi administration for showing insufficient reflection on historical issues while continuously focusing on military expansion, which raises the risk that Japan could once again become a wartime aggressor.
"In Japanese political circles, especially among conservatives, including some politicians from the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party, there is a lack of historical reflection. This raises concerns that Japan may be preparing for another war. The current military buildup and war preparedness, which are heightening regional tensions, should be halted," he said.
Yoshida also stressed the need for Japan to strengthen historical education and face up to its history of aggression.
"In Japanese society, awareness of Japan's historical responsibility as the aggressor remains insufficient, particularly the harm inflicted on China, Southeast Asia, and Pacific island nations during the war of aggression against China and the Pacific War. Relevant historical education should be strengthened so that the Japanese people can earnestly learn about that period of history," he said.
Japanese journalist warns Takaichi's military buildup risks plunging Japan into war again
The United States and Iran engaged in a heated exchange at an emergency United Nations (UN) Security Council meeting on Thursday, trading accusations over the Strait of Hormuz, regional attacks, and the implementation of a recent diplomatic memorandum.
The U.S. opened the debate by taking aim at Iran, blaming Iran for recent drone and missile strikes on civilian infrastructure in Gulf nations including Bahrain and Kuwait, and claiming the security of commercial ships and international waterways is at risk.
The U.S. then turned its focus to the Strait of Hormuz, alleging that Iran is obstructing the passage of all vessels through the strategic shipping lane.
U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN Mike Waltz argued that Iran has violated the core tenets of a recently signed bilateral agreement.
"Just two weeks ago, the United States signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran. Its most basic premise is the Straits, international waterways must be open, attacks on civilian shipping must stop. And we're here today because Iran ignored that," he said.
Iran, however, pushed back strongly, accusing the United States of once again deploying "lies and disinformation" to target the country. The Iranian delegation argued that the current crisis was rooted in U.S. and Israeli military operations launched against Iran during ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
"Just two weeks ago, the United States signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran. Its most basic premise is the Straits, international waterways must be open, attacks on civilian shipping must stop. And we're here today because Iran ignored that," said Iran's Permanent Representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani.
Following Iran's remarks, the U.S. delegation requested the floor again to rebut Iranian side's claims, asserting that Iran was attempting to silence the Security Council despite its mandate to address international peace and security.
The U.S. representative said that closing international waterways and threatening commercial shipping does not constitute acts of self-defense.
In response, Iran countered that certain regional countries are facilitating U.S. and Israeli military operations by allowing the use of their territory and airspace, thereby bearing international responsibility. Iran further accused U.S. of imposing a naval blockade on Iran, characterizing it as a form of "collective punishment."
On June 18, Iran and the United States signed the MoU on ending the war in the region on all fronts, including Lebanon.
On June 22, technical negotiations between Iran and the United States began in Switzerland, following high-level consultations between Iranian and U.S. delegations the previous day, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar.
U.S., Iran trade accusations over Strait of Hormuz at UN Security Council meeting
