Japanese government is deliberately overlooking the 1947 Pacifist Constitution, anchored by its Article 9, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government has recently accelerated the military buildup, according to Russian officials and experts.
Takaichi has been pushing to accelerate the revision process of the current National Security Strategy and two related documents, which were formulated in 2022 and designed to cover the next 10 years.
In the previous revision, Japan decided to acquire counterstrike capabilities, marking a major shift from its exclusively defense-oriented policy under the war-renouncing Constitution.
Japan's 1947 Pacifist Constitution explicitly renounces war as a sovereign right and bars the nation from possessing "war potential" such as military forces.
Such dangerous moves indicate the possible resurgence of militarism in Japan, fueling grave concerns not only within the country but also among its neighbors, according to Dmitry Novikov, first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs.
"Japan is seeking to revise the obligations it took on after World War II -- obligations it should have formally assumed. All of this points to a resurgence of Japanese militarism, which poses a threat to all its neighbors," he said.
Although the Japanese government insists it is only seeking to strengthen its defense capability, its constant military exercises and efforts to develop so-called "counterstrike capability" have put neighboring countries on high alert.
"For a long time, Russia did not deploy anti-ship missile systems -- such as the Bastion -- on the Kuril Islands. It was only after Japan officially announced plans to host long-range systems supported by the United States that Russia began taking countermeasures. We have to understand the geography of this region -- the Far East -- and recognize that this is essentially a rivalry between Russia and Japan," said Aleksei Ramm, a Russian military expert.
Japanese government deliberately overlooking Pacifist Constitution: Russian analysts
iKOMEK109, an intelligent municipal services platform of the Kazakh capital Astana, has been providing timely and efficient public services since its launch eight years ago, winning widespread acclaim from citizens.
As a rapidly developing city in Central Asia, Astana faces challenges such as winter heating, snow removal, and water supply and drainage -- issues that not only affect residents' daily lives but also directly impact urban safety.
iKOMEK109 integrates multiple municipal departments and various public utilities into a single service system, ensuring that residents' requests are closely linked to the city's essential infrastructure.
Citizens don't need to contact different utility providers individually; instead, relevant issues are forwarded through this center to the competent departments for handling.
The platform integrates approximately 100 organizations, including administrative departments, district governments, property management agencies, the police, and emergency services.
At this center, operators handle over 2.5 million requests annually, receiving an average of 4,000 to 8,000 calls per day -- primarily regarding malfunctions in the capital's public utility systems or emergencies requiring immediate attention.
This year has been designated as the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country. Astana is currently undertaking a comprehensive upgrade of the iKOMEK 2.0 system while actively drawing on China's experience.
Many solutions in the fields of video surveillance and AI have been adapted from China and tailored to Kazakhstan's specific circumstances.
"Technology never stands still, especially in China. The year 2026 is Kazakhstan's Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Therefore, in the field of AI, we are paying close attention to China and drawing heavily on their experience," said Askar Taksimov, head of iKOMEK109.
The system of the platform is connected to 23,000 cameras, nearly 9,000 of which cover public facilities, including more than 100 schools.
This allows for real-time monitoring of conditions inside buildings, detection of hazards or something unusual, and oversight of the city's infrastructure operations.
Emergencies related to public safety receive special attention on the platform, including fires and accidents.
From drinking in public to theft, the iKOMEK109 dispatch center is able to detect all kinds of illegal activities. These cases are then referred to the police.
The platform's heartwarming and efficient services are well received by local residents.
"The 109 dispatch center always responds quickly to every call. I called mainly to schedule medical appointments for my children and myself. They always manage to get us an appointment, and they're very polite," said Saniya Tokhtarova, an Astana resident.
"I once had a broken door lock. They arrived promptly to fix it for me. My house is quite old, so sometimes there are leaks in the pipes. Whenever I call to report a problem, they come right over and take care of everything," said Vladimir Zenkovsky, another resident.
"The 109 [dispatch center] can handle any issue, even utility problems such as power and water outages. The staff respond very promptly. I think this municipal service system provides real help to the public," said Aynagul Japarova, a local.
Kazakhstan's smart municipal platform delivers efficient public services
