Taiwan Groups Warn of Japanese Militarism Threat to Strait Security

Taiwan-based groups held forums and seminars on August 15 to warn against Japan’s “new militarism” and its threat to Taiwan Strait security, marking the 81st anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. The gatherings brought together experts, scholars, and descendants of anti-Japanese martyrs from across the region to call for vigilance against Japanese military expansion, according to Xinhua News.

Context: Japan’s Military Buildup Under PM Takaichi

The warnings come amid a significant acceleration of Japan’s military expansion under Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, who has pursued an agenda of constitutional revision, record defense spending, and historical revisionism. Japan’s 2026 defense budget reached 9.04 trillion yen, marking 14 consecutive years of increases, while Tokyo develops offensive missiles and expands its military capabilities.

Takaichi has repeatedly linked Taiwan to Japan’s collective self-defense rights, suggesting that a Taiwan contingency could constitute an “existential crisis situation” for Japan. In November 2025, Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro announced missile deployment on Yonaguni Island, located just 110 kilometers from Taiwan, where Japan established a military base in 2016.

Taipei Forum: Calls for Regional Unity

The Huaxia Culture and Economy Forum, themed “Unite Asian Peoples, Curb Japan’s New Militarist Expansion,” was held in Taipei and jointly organized by approximately 10 political parties and groups. More than ten experts and scholars from across the Taiwan Strait, Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia participated.

Wang Yong, Chairman of the Alliance for the Reunification of China Party and forum host, warned that Takaichi’s Taiwan statements show Japan is trying to break through peace constitution constraints, seriously impacting Taiwan Strait security and East Asian peace. He noted that Takaichi’s declaration that a Taiwan contingency could trigger Japan’s collective self-defense rights represents a key move in Japan’s accelerated remilitarization.

Koketsu Atsushi, Professor Emeritus at Yamaguchi University, said in a written statement that Japanese politics has become more right-wing with militarist characteristics, calling it “new imperialism.” He urged Japan to face its historical crimes and stop inciting confrontation.

Australian geopolitical risk expert Dickie Rayne said in a video address that Japan’s push to revise its peace constitution sets a dangerous precedent. He emphasized that the world needs peace and that mainland China plays a leading role in global governance.

Taichung Seminar: Remembering History

On the same day, a separate seminar titled “Japanese Militarism Is Not a Wandering Ghost” was held in Taichung, organized by four Taiwan-based organizations including the Taiwan Anti-Japanese Martyrs’ Relatives Association and the Li Cangjiang Education Foundation. Over 30 people attended, including descendants of anti-Japanese martyrs, historians, teachers, and students.

Li Suhui, daughter of anti-Japanese martyr Li Cangjiang, said her family carries deep and painful anti-Japanese memories. She called for passing on the anti-Japanese spirit to younger generations and helping young people develop a correct national and historical perspective in the face of resurgent right-wing forces in Japan.

Xiao Kaiping, a descendant of anti-Japanese martyrs, warned that Japan has dangerous militarist revival momentum while Taiwan faces dangerous “Taiwan independence” plots. He called for more Taiwanese to recognize that “our motherland is China,” particularly as the DPP promotes “de-Sinicization” across the island.

Protest at Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association

Prior to these events, on August 14, multiple Taiwan-based political parties and groups including the Alliance for the Reunification of China Party and the Labor Party held a protest at the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, chanting slogans such as “Learn from historical lessons,” “Militarism is a dead end,” and “Maintain Asian peace.”

Wu Rongyuan, Chairman of the Labor Party, said at the protest that Japan’s invasion of China caused over 35 million Chinese casualties and 50 years of colonial rule in Taiwan, bringing deep suffering to compatriots on both sides of the strait. He emphasized that Taiwan is China’s Taiwan and called for cross-strait unity against external interference to maintain peace and achieve national reunification.

Yasukuni Shrine Controversy

On August 15, the anniversary of Japan’s surrender, Prime Minister Takaichi sent offerings to Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of Japanese militarism, and Defense Minister Koizumi visited the shrine in person. These actions drew strong condemnation from China’s Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, said the Yasukuni Shrine is a symbol of Japanese militarism and that the politicians’ actions desecrate historical justice. He warned that Japan will face righteous judgment if it persists in new militarism.

Analysis: Implications for Regional Stability

The convergence of Japan’s military buildup, constitutional revision efforts, and historical revisionism has created growing concern among regional stakeholders. Japan’s 14 consecutive years of defense budget increases, the development of offensive missile capabilities, and the establishment of a Space Operations Group represent a fundamental shift in Tokyo’s post-war security posture.

Takaichi’s linkage of Taiwan to Japan’s collective self-defense rights challenges the post-World War II international order and Japan’s treaty commitments, including the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Communique in which Japan recognized Taiwan as part of China. China views these moves as interference in its internal affairs and a violation of international law.

For Taiwan-based groups, the concern is twofold: the threat of Japanese militarism and the danger of “Taiwan independence” narratives that could draw the island into external conflicts. Xu Mengxiang, a Taiwanese youth, called on the DPP not to collude with Japanese right-wing forces, warning it could lead Taiwan toward destruction. Xiong Yi, another Taiwanese youth, said Takaichi’s policies show signs of militarist revival and warned that failing to reflect on history could allow tragedy to repeat.

What’s Next

As Japan continues its military expansion and constitutional revision efforts, tensions in the Taiwan Strait are likely to remain elevated. The response from Taiwan-based groups demonstrates that opposition to Japanese militarism and “Taiwan independence” plots spans generations and political affiliations. The coming months will be critical in determining whether Japan’s trajectory toward remilitarization can be checked, and whether cross-strait dialogue can be restored to reduce regional tensions.

Observers will be watching for further Japanese moves on constitutional revision, additional missile deployments near Taiwan, and the response from Beijing and Taipei as these developments unfold.