Never allow the specter of Japanese militarism to return

A solemn protest against the war-provoking remarks of Sanae Takaichi

We, peace-loving people from all over the world–Chinese, Koreans, Southeast Asians who suffered under Japanese militarism, and all those who oppose war and cherish the hard-won achievements of the Second World War –

hereby express our grave condemnation and firm protest against the public statement issued in November 2025 by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi:

She declared that a crisis in Taiwan could trigger a so-called “Japan survival crisis,” thereby “requiring” Japan to exercise its right to collective self-defense—in essence, the use of military force against other nations.

This is not a mere “personal opinion” of a politician. It is:

· A crude interference in China’s internal affairs.

· A blatant challenge to the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and other international legal documents arising from WWII.

· A serious betrayal of Japan's postwar Peace Constitution.

· A cruel reopening of the wounds of Asian peoples who suffered under Japanese militarism.

Takaichi’s rhetoric mirrors the logic used by militarist Japan years ago, when claims of “lifelines” and “existential crises” were used to justify acts of aggression.

Her plans to raise Japan's military spending to 2% of GDP, her calls to revise Japan’s Three Non-Nuclear Principles, her repeated visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, and her declared intent to amend the the Peace Constitution all send a clear message: Japan's right-wing forces are seeking to revive the shadow of militarism.

We cannot and will not accept this.

We demand:

1.That Sanae Takaichi immediately issue a public apology and fully retract her dangerous remarks.

2.That the Japanese government solemnly reaffirm its commitment to the One-China principle and and pledge never to interfere in the Taiwan question in any form.

3.That the Japanese government halt all military expansion and return to the path defined by its Peace Constitution.

History will never forget the bloodshed of the 300,000 victims in Nanjing, the suffering of Korean “comfort women”, the anguish endured by Southeast Asian peoples, nor the sacrifices made by the Allied forces during WWII.

Today, through our signatures, we say to Sanae Takaichi and to Japan's right-wing forces:

You may choose to forget history.

We will never.

Every attempt to test our resolve only strengthens it.

To challenge the peace secured since the Second World War

is to challenge the future of humanity itself.