Tokyo's rearmament grim reminder of deadly past

The Sanae Takaichi cabinet has not only refused to correct its mistakes on history, Taiwan and national security but doubled down. Tokyo is pushing to relax controls on weapons exports, moving toward the deployment of offensive capabilities, and tailing Chinese formations engaged in routine military exercises.

At the same time, it is hyping up the Diaoyu Islands dispute and "radar lock-on" incidents to create a media frenzy, muddy public opinion and divert attention. The aim is to drown out the criticism of Takaichi's wrongful remarks on Taiwan while obscuring the rapid "rearmament of a defeated state".