This article reconsiders Masayuki Takayama’s observation that many Japanese voluntarily assume the role of “Las Casas,” together with the exchange between Defence Minister Taro Kono and a Tokyo Shimbun reporter and the Sankei-shō column published on the same day.
The suggestion that Japan should obtain the understanding of China and South Korea before strengthening its own missile defences symbolizes a postwar distortion in which consideration for neighbouring countries is placed above Japan’s national security.

August 6, 2020.
This article republishes an observation by Masayuki Takayama, introduced to readers around the world on August 5, 2020, together with the Sankei-shō column published the following day.
Takayama argued that many Japanese in various fields had voluntarily assumed the role of Las Casas and repeatedly engaged in conduct that denigrated their own country.
On August 6, Sankei-shō examined an exchange between Defence Minister Taro Kono and a Tokyo Shimbun reporter concerning a new missile-defence policy proposed by the Liberal Democratic Party.
The reporter asked whether Japan needed to obtain the understanding of China and South Korea before adopting the policy.
Why should Japan require the approval of countries that possess missiles capable of reaching Japanese territory, or of neighbouring countries that have no authority to decide Japan’s defence policy?
The exchange clearly illustrated the tendency of part of the postwar Japanese media to give priority to the positions of China and South Korea over Japan’s own national security.
The following is the article originally published on August 6, 2020, including the quoted material.
The Japanese Who Declare, “I Am Las Casas”
Yesterday, I introduced Masayuki Takayama’s insight to the world.
Today, I republish it together with the Sankei-shō column.
The Malicious Intent of the Asahi Shimbun
Takayama: After all, there are many Japanese who say, “I am Las Casas.” [Laughter]
Moreover, they exist in every field.
The Asahi Shimbun, in particular, has completely become the dog of China and Korea.
In 1987, the bombing of Korean Air Flight 858 occurred.
Although Kim Hyon-hui, one of the perpetrators, was captured by embassy officials in Bahrain, she was immediately handed over to South Korea.
During her confession, the names of Yaeko Taguchi and Megumi Yokota emerged.
Otaka: The reality of North Korea’s abductions became apparent.
Takayama: As the controversy spread, what did the Asahi Shimbun do after the beginning of the 1990s?
It brought forward Takashi Uemura’s reporting on the comfort women issue.
It revived Seiji Yoshida, drew out Yoshiaki Yoshimi’s theory of military involvement, and even brought up the Jeam-ri Church Incident.
Through this barrage of anti-Japanese articles, the abduction issue was pushed into the background before anyone realized it.
The remainder is omitted.
The following is from today’s Sankei-shō column.
I believe it was probably on WBS that I happened to see the press-conference scene described in the column.
It demonstrated that the majority of reporters at the Asahi, Mainichi, and Tokyo newspapers had “completely become the dogs of China and Korea.”
In other words, the Tokyo Shimbun reporter demonstrated that there are indeed many Japanese who effectively declare, “I am Las Casas.”
From Sankei-shō
Most newspapers have yet to report this extraordinary incident.
It concerns the incongruous exchange between Defence Minister Taro Kono and a Tokyo Shimbun reporter at a press conference on August 4.
The reporter first asked about a new missile-defence policy proposed by the Liberal Democratic Party.
“I believe it will be important to obtain the understanding of neighbouring countries, but it does not appear that sufficient understanding has been obtained.”
Kono asked in response:
“Which neighbouring countries are you referring to?”
“Mainly China and South Korea.”
“When China is increasing the number of its missiles, why do we need its approval?”
“What about South Korea?”
“Why do we need South Korea’s approval?”
The press conference can be viewed through online video services.
It is easy to see Kono becoming increasingly indignant after removing his mask.
That is understandable.
What country in the world seeks the approval of each neighbouring country before deciding its own defence policy?
Moreover, the threats posed to Japan by neighbouring countries continue to increase.
The large numbers of missiles possessed by China and North Korea unquestionably place Japan within their range.
Seventy-five years ago today, the world’s first atomic bomb used in war was dropped on Hiroshima, taking more than one hundred thousand precious lives.
Even today, many people continue to suffer from health damage caused by radiation.
It is a day to mourn the victims and renew the pledge to abolish nuclear weapons.
At the same time, there is no contradiction in advancing discussions on how Japan should defend itself against missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
“Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not repeat the error.”
Debate has long continued over the ambiguous subject of the inscription on the Cenotaph for the Victims of the Atomic Bomb.
The official interpretation of the City of Hiroshima is that the subject is “all humanity.”
Nevertheless, there are still countries advancing the development of nuclear weapons, as though mocking the ideal expressed in that inscription.
That fact must never be forgotten.