Japan's planned security publicity campaign raises concerns

The Japanese government plans to step up public outreach on security policy from late October, targeting different age groups with tailored messaging as it prepares to revise its three key security documents by the end of this year, Kyodo News reported Saturday, a move that has raised concerns in Japan.

The government plans to release videos produced in collaboration with public figures on the internet and social media to reach younger audiences. Advertisements will also be placed on Tokyo subway trains and at Shibuya Crossing, a major intersection in the capital, highlighting the links between national security and everyday life.

For middle-aged and older audiences, the campaign will use social media, television and shopping mall advertisements to explain how security policy relates to family and personal safety, the report said.

The Japanese government plans to revise its three key national security documents by the end of 2026, with "new ways of warfare" and sustained combat capabilities expected to be among the key focuses. The revision is also expected to set a target for further increases in defense spending.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in parliament on Oct 14 that the wording concerning the Three Non-Nuclear Principles could be revised in the country's three key security documents, which the government plans to update by the end of this year.

Japan's Three Non-Nuclear Principles refer to not possessing, not producing, and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons into the country.

On Saturday evening, Japanese citizens held a protest rally in front of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, noting that if Japan introduces nuclear weapons such as nuclear submarines, it will bring instability to the situation in East Asia.

"It is unacceptable that Takaichi seeks to remove the principle of "not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japan", which will make Japan lose international trust and send a wrong signal to the world," said a protester.

"I think it is very naive to believing that simply possessing these weapons will achieve defense. Doing so will only further worsen Japan's relations with neighboring countries. Can Japan really become happier as a result? Won't this deepen the rift with other countries?" said another protester.

"If Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi believes that the security environment around Japan is deteriorating sharply, the situation should be improved through diplomatic means. Article 9 of the Constitution clearly stipulates that no war shall be waged and no military force shall be held. Then why should tax revenue be used for military expansion? I cannot agree with it. I strongly urge that the Constitution must not be revised under any circumstances," said a third protester.

Japan's planned security publicity campaign raises concerns

Polish buyers are discovering new business opportunities at the 140th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, as a veteran-led delegation from the Polish-Chinese Chamber of Commerce brings a wave of first-time attendees in search of Chinese suppliers.

In a hotel lobby just two kilometers from the exhibition halls, the delegation held a pre-show briefing covering hall layouts, visiting routes and negotiation tactics. The group ranges from entrepreneurs in their twenties to a fast-moving consumer goods wholesaler in his seventies, with some members reporting annual revenues exceeding 10 million euros.

While most are visiting for the first time, delegation leader Dominik Bledzki began coming to the fair more than 20 years ago.

"We showed the buyers how to navigate here. Halls A, B, C and D are located in different places. On the way from the hotel on the bus, we already selected a few suppliers we want to visit," said Bledzki, president of the Polish-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Among the newcomers is Mariusz Zrobek, a fabric wholesaler who purchases about 2.5 million meters of material every month from five Chinese factories. This time, however, he is looking beyond textiles, hoping to use the fair to expand into building materials.

"In our country, we have many, many building developers and they have built many apartments. I see the future in deliveries of new products for the building industry and the furniture industry. I think the Canton Fair is so big, so we have every possibility to find new suppliers and, of course, other business," said Zrobek.

The fair is also reshaping how some in the delegation run their businesses back home. Szymon, another Polish buyer, deals in consumer goods spanning more than 70 categories and thousands of products. Long dependent on Polish importers for his stock, he realized at the fair that most of what he sells actually originates from China.

"I think a lot of products are from China, because the quality here is good," he said.

Szymon also used the trip to visit factories between fair sessions. The journey from the exhibition hall to the production floor convinced him to cut out the middlemen and purchase directly from China, expanding his procurement list in the process.

"We believe that the Chinese suppliers are presenting right now the best quality, the best design and really good prices, and the whole supply chain in China works perfectly," said Bledzki.

The 140th Canton Fair runs in three phases in Guangzhou from Oct. 15 to Nov. 4. Over the past 70 years, the fair has grown into China's largest and longest-running international trade event, with the most complete product range, the largest number of buyers and the highest transaction volume.

Polish buyers explore new opportunities at 140th Canton Fair