The following is from an article by Satoshi Sakakibara, Vice Chairman of the Editorial Board, which appeared in the Sankei Shimbun on 3/8 under the title “Pseudo-Pacifism Endangering Japan.
It is a must-read not only for the Japanese people but also for people worldwide.
We respect and sympathize with the Ukrainian people fighting against the invading Russian troops, and we strongly hope that they will defeat the invaders.
Russia continues its aggression without fear of being attacked by Ukraine.
There are observations that Ukrainian military short-range ballistic missiles have hit air bases on Russian territory, but even if true, this is a very limited counterattack.
For Ukraine, this battle is a kind of mainland war.
It is the same approach that Japan was able to avoid in the Greater East Asia War (Pacific War), thanks to the holy decision of Emperor Showa. Still, Japan’s postwar defense policy has been based on the principle of decisive battles on the mainland in the name of the “Exclusively Defense-Oriented Policy.”
The Japanese people who are angry at the invasion of Ukraine should also get mad at Japan’s policy of fighting a decisive war on the mainland in the name of an “Exclusively Defense-Oriented Policy.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin is guilty of this invasion.
On top of that, I would like to point out that Ukraine was under-armed.
Ukraine did not have an ally to fight with.
It had no nuclear deterrence measures to repel Russia’s nuclear threats.
Such Ukraine cannot be said to be responsible, but it has become the coveted target of the invaders.
The territory has been overrun; many innocent people have been killed and injured, nuclear power plants have been bombarded and threatened using atomic weapons.
Western countries have provided Ukraine with anti-tank missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and other weapons.
Military drones exported by Turkey have destroyed Russian armored vehicles.
Japan provides Ukraine with bulletproof vests and cold-weather clothing.
It is because of the “Three Principles on the Transfer of Defense Equipment,” which prohibits the export of equipment that can kill.
Compared to Japan’s previous provision, this is progress, but it is not enough.
If the West adopts the same attitude as Japan, Ukraine will have no way to fight against the aggressor.
Without a certain amount of power, even ceasefire negotiations with the invaders will not be possible.
It is hard to believe, but even in the face of wars of aggression, forces in Japan oppose efforts to improve deterrence, such as drastic increases in defense spending, the introduction of enemy base attack capabilities, and discussions of nuclear deterrence posture, including nuclear sharing.
They are either blind to the realities of security or unwilling to protect the people.
Political parties and politicians who mistakenly believe that such opposition will protect the peace, and politicians and bureaucrats who do not dare to argue with them, are genuinely guilty.
If Japan and its people are going to be in the line of fire, it will be the aggressor nation and the pseudo-pacifists in Japan who will bring it on themselves.