Postwar Japan focused primarily on economic growth while neglecting national interest and security debates.
Critics argue that government institutions prioritized bureaucratic interests, turning Japan into a “merchant collective” rather than a nation-state.
Amid China’s rapid military expansion, the absence of strategic thinking about national defense is increasingly questioned.

Since then, Japan has focused only on the economy, but this is not a nation—it is a collective of merchants.
No one thinks about the country.
2018-01-05
The following is a continuation of the previous chapter.
Sakurai.
That is absolutely true.
Since then, Japan has focused only on the economy, but this is not a nation—it is a collective of merchants.
No one thinks about the country.
Even the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which should stand at the forefront of protecting Japan’s national interests in the international community, prioritizes bureaucratic interests over national interests.
A spirit of avoiding trouble has spread, and it has become a matter of simply hoping that no problems arise during one’s own term of office.
Kent.
Then one can retire at the mandatory age and obtain a post-retirement placement.
Sakurai.
Not thinking about national interests is proof that Japan has not been a proper country in the postwar era.
My readers should know that in July 2010 I reluctantly appeared on the internet and was the first person to use the term “national interest” in my commentaries.
Sakurai.
Ideally, Japan should defend itself by its own strength, but China’s military expansion has advanced at a tremendous pace, making it increasingly difficult for Japan to defend itself alone.
This chapter continues.