Richard A. Black, a Senior Researcher at the Schiller Institute, warns that recent statements by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi portraying the Taiwan Strait as an “existential threat” are a dangerous pretext for accelerating Japan’s remilitarization. Black argues this directly violates Japan’s postwar peace constitution, the Potsdam Declaration, and longstanding international agreements that prohibit Japan from acting as an offensive military power in Asia.

Black draws parallels between current developments in Japan and Europe and the gradual remilitarization that preceded World War II, warning that similar patterns are re-emerging today.

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