By Zhong Sheng

Japan's Defense Ministry, in disregard of strong opposition from local residents, deployed long-range missiles with the so-called "enemy base strike capability" in Kumamoto and Shizuoka prefectures on March 31. This marks the first time Japan has deployed such missiles with clear offensive attributes, far exceeding the scope of self-defense and its "exclusively defense-oriented" principle. This move not only seriously violates Japan's Constitution and its established domestic norms, but also runs counter to legally binding international instruments such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender. This action demonstrates that the offensive trajectory of Japan's neo-militarism is becoming increasingly pronounced, posing a serious threat to regional peace and security.

Japan's Defense Ministry has branded the deployed long-range missiles as key equipment to enhance Japan's deterrence and response capabilities, claiming that in light of the severe security environment surrounding Japan, the Japan Ground Self- Defense Force (JGSDF) is working to build long-range defensive capabilities. Such rhetoric is no different from the "crisis narrative" long employed by Japan's right-wing forces. By exaggerating the so-called "peripheral threats", these forces seek to hollow out the post-war peace framework, fundamentally overturn the "exclusively defense-oriented" principle, and push for transforming the pacifist constitution into one that enables the waging of war. The so-called "severe security environment" is nothing more than a pretext for military expansion, while the so-called "defensive capabilities" serve merely as a cover for developing offensive power. Under the guise of "crisis", Japan is in fact undermining regional peace. Under the pretext of "defense", it is in reality seeking to break free from post-war constraints and turn itself into an "offensive-capable state".

At this point, Article 9 of Japan's Constitution exists in name only. This was how a former Japanese cabinet official commented on the country's deployment of offensive missiles. Japan pledged in its Constitution to "forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes," thereby establishing the "exclusively defense-oriented" principle. It is also clearly stipulated in the Potsdam Proclamation that Japan is prohibited from rearming. These provisions were legally codified obligations imposed on Japan as a defeated nation. In recent years, however, the Japanese government has openly written "counterstrike capabilities" into its national defense strategy through the formulation of a new version of the "three national security documents". Now, with the first-time deployment of long-range offensive missiles, it is steadily overturning its post-war defense posture and progressively deviating from the "exclusively defense-oriented" principle. From "exclusive defense" to "counterstrike", and from "defense" to "preemption", the Japanese government, under the banner of "security", is in reality step by step breaking free from the constraints of the pacifist constitution, fully exposing its ambition to advance remilitarization.

Japan's forcible deployment of offensive missiles, along with its plans to procure and deploy more such missiles in the coming years, reflects the growing recklessness of its neo-militarism, a highly dangerous trend. In recent years, Japan’s right-wing forces have driven its security policy in a more offensive and expansionist direction. The defense budget has increased for 14 consecutive years, with massive funding largely directed toward offensive capabilities and the vigorous development of stand-off strike systems. Japan's deployment of long-range missiles not only poses a serious threat to the security of neighboring countries, but will also make the regional situation more complex and sensitive, warranting heightened vigilance from its Asian neighbors and the international community.

The Japanese public has also voiced strong opposition, with protests held in multiple locations against the government's forcible push for military deployments. According to Kyodo News, Japan's Defense Ministry held equipment exhibitions for government officials in places such as Kumamoto, but did not conduct briefings for the general public. Given that areas hosting long-range missile deployments are likely to become targets in modern warfare, local residents have expressed strong resistance to the deployments. Such military adventurism, pursued at the expense of public well-being and regional peace, not only runs counter to the trend of peaceful development, but also goes against the fundamental interests of Japan and its people. "Deterrence cannot create peace at its core,""We do not need missiles for war preparation," and "Stop the deployment of missiles"...the Japanese government should carefully heed the voices of its people, stop tying livelihoods to the expansion of military power, and truly act with responsibility toward its own citizens and toward regional peace.

Japan's neo-militarism not only poses a threat to neighboring countries, but will ultimately backfire on the country itself. By treating missiles as a "blade", Japan's right-wing forces believe that they have grasped the key to security. In reality, however, they are pushing themselves onto a dangerous edge. As a defeated nation in WWII, Japan has a fundamental obligation to deeply reflect on its history of aggression, adhere to its pacifist constitution, and safeguard regional stability. Japan should uphold its commitments in the field of military security, act with prudence, and cease any attempts to undermine peace and stability in the region.

Editor's note: Originally published on people.com.cn, this article is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.