What became evident through the Russian invasion of Ukraine is that in order to prevent Japan from being invaded by conventional weapons like Ukraine and to protect its citizens from becoming victims, Japan may have no choice but to possess the ability to deter the enemy with nuclear weapons.
For Japan, which upholds the Peace Constitution, it has become an unimaginable era.
It's a sad reality.
If we were to fight conventional weapons with conventional weapons, as in the case of Ukraine, it would inevitably result in immense sacrifices for the citizens.
Moreover, Japan lacks resources and cannot sustain itself in terms of food supply. If a prolonged war were to occur, it would be disastrous.
That is why Japan might need to possess nuclear weapons as a deterrent to prevent other countries from initiating war against it, rather than renouncing war against other countries.
Unfortunately, that has become the reality.
However, when it comes to possessing nuclear weapons, Japan cannot follow the path of countries like the United States, Russia, or China, due to its small mainland.
If Japan were to establish missile bases on its mainland, it would become a target and easily be destroyed.
There is a need to safely operate nuclear-tipped missiles that can be launched at any time without being locked onto by the enemy.
To achieve this, Japan might need to possess a significant number of nuclear-armed submarines, specifically "nuclear-powered submarines" with long underwater endurance and high stealth capabilities.
The world is currently facing great challenges.
The war between Russia and Ukraine (Western countries) carries the risk of escalating into a nuclear war.
Despite the possibility of Europe disappearing and the world being unable to prevent it, the war continues to escalate.
That's understandable because Western countries do not want to risk nuclear war by intervening militarily against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Furthermore, European countries that had increased their dependence on Russia economically have now been forced to break ties with Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine. Division has begun.
At the same time, North Korea is launching missiles repeatedly in the Far East.
However, the world is unable to stop it.
As a result, both Japan and South Korea are strengthening their alliance with the United States.
Here again, there is division.
Energetic Japanese politicians and commentators have claimed that unless the Japanese people show the will to fight and are not complacent about peace, Western countries will not sincerely help Japan.
However, consider this carefully: the adversaries Japan would have to fight as the vanguard of Western countries are Russia, China, and North Korea, all of which possess nuclear weapons.
Western countries are not the kind of adversaries who would assist Japan at great cost.
From a geopolitical standpoint, it might be better for Japan to maintain some distance from Western countries and seek closer relations with China and Russia.
In any case, the efforts that the world had been making, such as nuclear disarmament, globalization, and environmental issues, have been blown away by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Despite finally establishing a global market with capitalism as a common value, economic sanctions against Russia have disrupted everything.
Once again, the world is divided and beginning to form blocs.
In this world, constructive endeavors have become nearly impossible. We have truly entered a dark age.
