By comparing national defense to bullying dynamics, this essay exposes the flawed assumption that a militarily capable Japan would inevitably become an aggressor.
It argues for a vision that balances realism with ideals in Japan’s future security posture.

However, the claims made by leftists and by Chinese and Koreans assert that if Japan were to arm itself, it would “inevitably become the bully.”
2016-10-31
The following continues from the previous chapter.
All emphasis in the text is mine.
Various ways of thinking about national defense and the available choices can also be explained in simple terms by comparing them, as before, to the issue of bullying.
In bullying, there are always “the strong” and “the weak.”
What is certain is that “the stronger one is, the less likely one is to be bullied,” and that “the potential to be bullied exists only on the weaker side.”
Moreover, if one does not cling solely to a binary of bully and victim, it becomes clear that there are in fact various positions, such as “those who avoid involvement because they do not want to be bullied,” or “those who feel that if they do not bully, they themselves will be bullied.”
Not all weak people are victims, and not all strong people are bullies.
Yet the assertions of leftists and of Chinese and Koreans categorically assume that if Japan arms itself, it will “inevitably become the bully.”
The basis of their argument is always “past wars and reflection.”
However, the history they refer to contains many fabrications and misunderstandings, and it is difficult to believe that a nation whose people have upheld international contribution and pacifism for sixty years after the war would suddenly become “the bully.”
In the book by the Taiwanese author 金美齢 quoted earlier, there was a statement to the effect that “by Japan restraining China’s hegemony, stability and security are ensured for Taiwan and Southeast Asian countries as well.”
Looking at numerous other examples, it is undeniable that China is “very strong and a bully.”
Present-day Japan is “not weak, but unable to exercise power, and thus the one being bullied.”
In that case, for the time being, Japan should aim to be “moderately strong and not a bully,” and eventually strive to become “one who can protect others from bullying.”
It may sound idealistic, but when speaking of the future, one must not forget ideals in addition to reality.
Seeing both at once is something that the Japanese people need, and are capable of doing.
To be continued.