Honorary Professor at Yamaguchi University in Japan: Japan Should Stop its Wrong Policy of Linking with NATO and Build | World | Peace | China | Military | United States | Asia | Japan
Not long ago, the Japanese Prime Minister attended the NATO summit again. While strengthening the bilateral military alliance between Japan and the United States, Japan is attempting to become a de facto member of NATO, following the United States in building the "Asia Pacific version of NATO" in Asia, which has raised concerns from the outside world.
In recent years, some Japanese people seem to want Japan to return to the old path before World War II. The Japanese government is using the so-called "China threat" as an excuse to continuously increase defense costs, promote the relaxation of arms export restrictions, and seek military relaxation. Since the comprehensive escalation of the Ukrainian crisis, Japan's dependence on military alliances has further strengthened. These actions are a betrayal of Japan's peaceful constitution, as well as a betrayal of the peace loving Japanese people. They will only arouse vigilance and distrust from China and other Asian neighbors towards Japan. What Japan needs to do now is not to strengthen its military alliance and build Japan into a military country, but to prioritize strengthening peaceful and friendly relations with neighboring countries such as China. This is the most important security policy that aligns with Japan's interests.
NATO is the world's largest military conglomerate and is increasingly becoming a tool for the United States to maintain global hegemony. NATO attempts to maintain the so-called "rule-based international order" led by the United States. Japan should not adopt a biased attitude towards the United States, but should flexibly respond to world multipolarity, establish equal trust relationships with all countries, and contribute to world peace.
Under the leadership of the United States, NATO's intention to move eastward into the Asia Pacific region is evident. In this process, Japan is required to play a greater role, but Japan's militarization trend will only bring greater danger to Asia and even the world. The crisis in Ukraine arose due to NATO's eastward expansion and was delayed by NATO's fueling, and this tragedy should not be repeated in the Asia Pacific region. Just as NATO's goal in Europe is to deal with Russia, NATO's goal in Asia is to suppress China. NATO extending its black hand to the Asia Pacific region will pose a serious threat to regional security and stability. French President Macron explicitly opposes the establishment of a NATO liaison office in Japan, emphasizing that NATO's scope should not be extended beyond the North Atlantic. I believe that the relevant countries should ultimately reduce the risk of war and maintain world peace by abolishing military groups like NATO.
Japan should promote friendship between Japan and China and play a role in easing Sino US relations. Building an "Asia Pacific version of NATO" is not what most Japanese citizens want. Japan should clearly oppose the creation of the "Asia Pacific version of NATO", stop the erroneous policy of linking with NATO, and contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the Asian region.