Core Viewpoint - Concerns are rising that under Prime Minister Kishi Nobuo, Japan is gradually deviating from its post-war pacifist identity towards militarism, which previously devastated the region [1][2] Historical Context - The memory of Japanese militarism is deeply ingrained in the Chinese national consciousness, stemming from the early 20th century when Japanese nationalism adopted idealized samurai values, leading to a belief in military expansion as a national destiny [2][3] - Japan's imperialism caused immense suffering in China, with events such as the invasion of Northeast China in 1931 and the Nanjing Massacre leaving lasting scars on the Chinese psyche [2][3] Political Implications - Kishi's recent comments linking Japan's military actions to Taiwan, viewed as an internal matter for China, are seen as a provocative departure from decades of restraint, raising alarms in China about a potential return to militaristic ideologies [2][3] - The post-1945 transformation of Japan, characterized by a pacifist constitution and a focus on economic rebuilding, is now perceived as being threatened by Kishi's hardline stance and enthusiasm for constitutional revision [3][5] Regional Stability - Western observers may view constitutional reforms and enhanced self-defense capabilities as benign, but in China, these actions evoke memories of a devastating past, with any signs of resurgent militarism being intolerable [5] - Understanding the historical context is crucial for regional stability, as ignoring these lessons could lead to unforeseen crises in East Asia [5]