Clued-in | Japan's military expansion reveals growing ambitions

For some time, Japan has been using so-called "external threats" to national security as a pretext to accelerate its moves toward "remilitarization."

Cartoon by Ma Hongliang.

While professing its commitment to "peace," Japan continues to expand its military ambitions. It has taken a series of steps, including establishing a National Intelligence Bureau, holding the first meeting of its National Intelligence Council, issuing a revised defense white paper, raising its defense budget to a new postwar high, and pursuing a second revision of the "three security documents."

Japan has also revised the "three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology," lifted the ban on lethal arms exports, and renamed the Air Self-Defense Force as the Air and Space Self-Defense Force, making its military ambitions increasingly apparent.

Facts have shown that Japan's "remilitarization" push has become a real threat to regional peace and stability, and the international community must remain highly vigilant.