Japan exaggerates danger on peninsula to advance military interests
Recent twists and turns in the tension on the Korean Peninsula have dramatically escalated the geopolitical risks in Northeast Asia. The international community is even concerned that the North Korean nuclear crisis is reaching a tipping point and an armed conflict might break out. Amid the smell of cordite in the air, Japan seems to have discovered an opportunity. It is not only obsessed with hyping up the clamor of war, but has also proposed relevant emergency plans including refugee policies.
The North Korean nuclear issue is developing into a crisis for the entire Northeast Asia. However, what Tokyo has been doing is no more than proving that it is surrounded by danger and making it a strong excuse to boost its own defense budget and military power.
The Perimeter Situation Law, adopted by the Japanese government in 1999, was aimed at the North Korean nuclear program. In 2015, Tokyo passed a legislation to loosen Japan’s decadeslong limits on its military power. Threats from the North Korean nuclear crisis were one of the major motivators in adopting the law.
This time, the goal of the Japanese media and government jointly hyping a possible war between Washington and Pyongyang is to further promote the nation’s constitutional revision, lift the ban on its collective self- defense forces and allow its armed forces to fight in foreign conflicts.
As is known to all, the Korean War, which started in June 1950, brought Japan its first pot of gold after the end of WWII. Military orders from the US and the UN Command have, to some extent, reformed Japan’s economy.
Given the country’s sluggish economy for the moment, and the ineffective Abenomics, the Japanese government is secretly hoping that a war on the peninsula could break out as soon as possible in order to obtain a new round of military orders as well as revitalizing the nation’s economy.
In addition, Japan has always taken advantage of tensions on the Korean Peninsula while flaunting its connections with the US to reach reconciliation with Seoul over the “comfort women” dispute as well as inking the General Security of Military Information Agreement ( GSOMIA) with South Korea.
Once current tensions on the peninsula escalate into a war, Japan would undoubtedly eliminate the threat of the North Korean nuclear crisis with the help of the US, suppress its competitor, South Korea, and contain China’s power of discourse over the situation on the peninsula. Tokyo is hoping to kill three birds with one stone.
Although everyone knows how dangerous it is to risk the outbreak of war, Japan seems to have become over satisfied with the possible outcome of its wishful thinking.
However, if Tokyo really wants to protect its own interests, it should make more efforts in resolving the crisis on the peninsula.
Japan’s policies in the 19th century have proven that it used to play a negative and destructive role in geopolitical games. It has not only harmed other countries, but also brought devastating catastrophes onto itself. It is hoped the country could learn from the past and contribute to regional stability. Finding a solution to the North Korean nuclear issue is a touchstone in this regard.
In terms of regional cooperation and diplomacy, it is not uncommon to see disagreements and frictions. Yet, whether a country will fan the flames or try to put out the fire is a fundamental standard when judging whether it is a major power. As a nation with enough capability to coordinate bilateral and multilateral conflicts, Japan should learn to play the role of a coordinator.
The biggest threat on the Korean Peninsula is from nuclear development and possible nuclear destruction. Japan, as the only victim of nuclear bombings, should know how dreadful a nuclear calamity could be.
Over the years, many Japanese people have been strongly protesting against nuclear development, which laid a public foundation of safeguarding Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution and maintaining long- term peace and stability. The Japanese government should reflect on the evil consequences of war and nuclear destruction, and turn into a supporter of lasting peace.
The author is director of the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies, Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn