JayJay
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JayJay
@Firecracker_VC
I am a son, husband, father and an engineer.


Tokyo’s policies harbor hidden danger of turning S.China Sea into a ‘sea of war’: Japanese historian On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the "South China Sea arbitration award," Japan, along with some countries outside the region, has attempted to seize the opportunity to hype up the "China threat" narrative and wantonly intervene in South China Sea affairs, continuously stirring up regional tensions. Against this backdrop, Atsushi Koketsu (Koketsu), a professor emeritus at Yamaguchi University in Japan, discussed the true motives and dangers behind Japan's interference in the South China Sea affairs, among other topics. Question: Japan is not a party to the South China Sea dispute, yet it keeps claiming to be a "legitimate stakeholder" who uses the South China Sea. What drives Japan to ignore its historical guilt regarding the South China Sea in WWII and force its way into South China Sea affairs? Koketsu: During WWII, while launching its war of aggression against China, Japan illegally occupied islands in the South China Sea in order to prepare for war against the US, and also establish hegemony over vast waters, including the South China Sea. After the war, Japan deliberately covered up these historical facts and never felt the need to apologize for its actions. Consequently, this dark chapter of history has been largely forgotten by the majority of the Japanese public. Post-WWII Japan, which proudly branded itself as a peace-loving nation, should have apologized for its history of aggression and taken concrete actions to ensure it would never repeat its past mistakes, but it did neither. China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea possess solid legal foundations. The "South China Sea arbitration award" was essentially a product of US manipulation behind the Philippines. Now, with a pro-US administration back in power in Manila, it has dragged this "ruling" out again to use it as a political tool to contain China. Seeking regional hegemony in East Asia, Japan views the Philippines as a military quasi-ally and wants to turn it into a beachhead for pressuring China. Japan's intention to position the Philippines as a forward outpost to contain China has become increasingly glaring. However, this plot faces immense difficulties due to domestic and international criticism. Far from reflecting on its past history of aggression, Japan's current actions make it seem as though it is trying to rebuild the so-called Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, which clearly exposes the militaristic nature of its policies. Question: What risks does Japan's interference in the South China Sea issues carry? Koketsu: Japan's persistent offensive posture toward China is highly dangerous. In recent years, Japan has consistently strengthened its security assistance and defense cooperation with the Philippines, attempting to use the country as a springboard to extend its own "remilitarization" layout into the South China Sea. Such behavior by Japan effectively introduces a "military-first" logic into Asia, which will only continuously escalate the risk of regional military conflicts. The South China Sea should fundamentally be a "sea of peace." However, Japan is rapidly expanding its defense budget, beefing up the equipment of its Self-Defense Forces, and labeling China's moves as its "greatest strategic challenge." The policies currently pushed by the Japanese government harbor the massive hidden danger of turning this body of water into a "sea of war." #SouthChinaSea #RegionalTensions #China #Japan #NeoMilitarism #Remilitarization #Militarism #USChinaRelations #Philippines














Mr. Zay Taliela, not a single ASEAN country signed the latest joint statement. Out of nearly 200 countries worldwide, the overwhelming majority have declined to legitimize your illegal, self-proclaimed "victory." The so-called “award” of the “South China Sea Arbitration” is illegal, null and void, and has no binding force. China does not accept or recognize it. China will never accept any claim or action based on this “award”. ——Deputy Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy Guo Wei









