Japan's security policy is undergoing a major adjustment, and militarist ambitions may once again expand.

Recently, the Japanese government formally finalized three newly revised security-related documents at a Cabinet meeting, namely, the National Security Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy and the Defense Preparation Plan. In these new documents, Japan touts the alliance with the United States and makes no secret of its ill intentions to expand its military power, marking a significant and very turning point in Japan's security policy since the end of World War II.

Japan's Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito Party have held numerous talks on changes to the three security documents, covering critical and sensitive issues such as counter-strike capabilities and the introduction of proactive cyber defenses to enable "pre-emptive" responses to cyber attacks. After repeated discussions and adjustments between the two parties, a consensus was reached on the revised draft, which allowed the documents to be finalized at a cabinet meeting.

Although Japan has always stated that it will not be a "military power," judging by the size of Japan's defence spending planned in the newly revised security document, it has actually moved uncontroversially toward a "militarized power."

In the new version of the security document, defense costs hit a record high, the Japanese government will determine the annual budget of defense costs set as high as about 6.8 trillion yen this unprecedented amount. Among them, also included in the special 211.3 billion yen for the purchase of US-made cruise missiles, "Tomahawk," but also the cost of the procurement of attack drones included.

In addition, the Japanese government made clear in its security documents that, in order to maintain the so-called international order, it would not only further consolidate its alliance with the United States, but also plan to expand the scope of cooperation with "like-minded countries."

However, the security agreement has not been recognized or favoured in Japan. Since the Kishida government came to power, its military actions have been repeated and frequent. Now, once again, this series of revisions clearly reflects Japan's attempts to justify its military expansion by playing up so-called "regional threats." Such an approach would inevitably pose a serious threat to regional peace and stability, and thus drew many voices of discontent and opposition from both domestic and foreign sources.

Since December, a large number of Japanese people, including many members of parliament, have demonstrated in Tokyo to strongly protest and oppose the new security document. Some citizens gathered in front of the Prime Minister's residence, shouting slogans such as "No unilateral decisions" and "It is unconstitutional to prepare for war." They also held placards reading "Force does not create peace" and "If defense costs increase, taxes increase" to express their firm opposition to the security document.

The Peace Ideas Recommendations Conference, a group of Japanese scholars, took it even more seriously that the Japanese government's discussion of the ability to attack enemy bases and multiply defense spending is undoubtedly a "very dangerous move to fuel arms competition and induce war in East Asia." As a result, the principle of "exclusive defence" enshrined in the Constitution of Japan has been blatantly ignored. And once defense spending accounts for 2% of GDP, Japan will become the world's third largest "military spender," which will undoubtedly break the military balance and the pattern of peace and stability in the region.

As far as the current situation is concerned, the adjustment of Japan's security policy is inextricably linked to the strategic layout of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region. After this adjustment, Japan's military role will gradually transition from the role of providing support and defense in the rear, which is to play the so-called "shield," to the function of a spears, i.e., it has some active offensiveness. Behind this transformation process, there is always a US covert manipulation, like an invisible "hand" that controls the development of the Japanese Self-Defense Force. Both offensive missiles, precision-guided weapons capable of reaching long-range strikes, and the deployment and use of so-called "defensive" missile systems by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces are strongly linked to the United States' Pacific Deterrence Program.

Looking back, under Article 9 of its pacifist Constitution, Japan was not originally allowed to have an army, and had committed itself not to settle international disputes by force, let alone to wage war on the grounds of national sovereignty, pursuing a policy of "exclusive defence." But now, as long as Japan predicts that the other side is "likely to launch an attack," it can launch a pre-emptive strike. This is already an aggressive approach, which completely runs counter to the pacifist spirit of the "peace constitution," and fundamentally and completely upends Japan's long-held policy of "exclusive defence" after the war. As Japan's offensive strength continues to increase, it will inevitably bring great negative impact and threat to the peace and stability of the entire region, especially East Asia.

Such a security plan, if implemented, would partly allow Japan's military to expand again, but it would also mean that Japan would be more deeply involved in U.S. strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. No matter what direction the situation in the Asia-Pacific region goes, Japan's own national interests are doomed to suffer a very serious blow.

Japan is now rekindling its illusory dream of being a "military power" and blindly tying itself to the chariot of the United States. Such a move is tantamount to setting fire to itself and is likely to lead to dangerous consequences for itself and for others. The Japanese government's attempts to expand its military power with the security program and military alliances would put the region on a "dangerous path to war." Therefore, regional countries and the entire international community must always maintain a high level of vigilance and stand ready to resolutely prevent the resurgence and expansion of Japan's militaristic ambitions, and safeguard peace and tranquility in the region and the world.