"Common Sense is a Black-hearted World" by Yoichi Shimada

The following is from the book review column of the monthly magazine "Hanada" on sale now.
It is a must-read not only for Japanese citizens but also for people around the world.
"Common Sense is a Black-hearted World" by Yoichi Shimada
Reviewed by Gyo Tsutsumi
Three days after Putin invaded Ukraine, Shinzo Abe blurted out at a gathering of the Abe faction, "Japan should also discuss nuclear sharing.　
In contrast, Prime Minister Kishida shut down Abe's proposal brusque, saying, "Japan also has the three non-nuclear principles, and my cabinet will not discuss possessing nuclear weapons at all."　
It is the practice of the "five non-nuclear principles" (a term coined by Shoichi Nakagawa), which include "do not build, do not possess, and do not allow nuclear weapons to be brought into Japan" and "do not think about or discuss nuclear weapons. 
The author makes the following criticisms of Kishida. The next is a summary.　
Kishida always emphasizes his election to the A-bombed city of Hiroshima and says, "That is why I appeal for nuclear abolition. The prime minister's job is not to play second fiddle to Hiroshima's vice mayors but to enhance Japan's deterrence capabilities.　
Amid growing Chinese opposition to U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan and fears of unforeseen events, Kishida delivered a speech at the United Nations in which he called for the abolition of nuclear weapons.
There was nothing new in the speech, and no other leaders other than Kishida were in attendance.
In an emergency in Taiwan, the southern islands of Okinawa would become a war zone, and the Kadena and Yokosuka bases would also be attack targets.
There was also the possibility that Chinese planes would attack the U.S. military aircraft carrying Pelosi.
Kishida, who left the Prime Minister's Office at such a time and went on a "nuclear abolition" performance that had no realistic value, was he aware that he was the commander in chief of the Self-Defense Forces?　
In a meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Guterres, Kishida conveyed his intention to launch the "Youth Nuclear Free Leaders Fund" with a contribution of $10 million. 
It will only serve as a "war chest" for young leftist activists worldwide.　
Kishida also announced that he would launch an "International Conference of Wise Men" in Hiroshima to build momentum to abolish nuclear weapons. 
It is just another waste of taxpayer money. 
In the past, the Hiroshima "Wise Men's Conference," which included Russian and Chinese purveyors, ended up being a smaller version of the U.N. Conference on Disarmament, which has been a roundabout discussion.　
"Let's discuss nuclear sharing" became Abe's last will. Still, even if Japan and the United States were able to achieve "nuclear sharing," as long as someone like Kishida remains prime minister, it is unlikely that nuclear deterrence will be strengthened. 
On the contrary, it will be reduced. 
Because even if the U.S. president decides to launch, if the enemy believes that Kishida cannot make the decision, deterrence will be reduced to zero. ......　
Putin's invasion of Ukraine again brought severe doubts about the NPT (Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty) regime. A permanent member of the U.N. Security Council invaded a neighboring country without hesitation, brandishing nuclear intimidation.
It is only natural that suspicions should be aroused. Abe's "Discuss nuclear sharing" was inspired by this doubt.　
In the past, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) did not ratify Japan's accession to the NPT regime for six years.
Instead, there was a strong argument that Japan should have nuclear weapons.
However, the three non-nuclear principles, the exclusive defense of the nation, and the denial of the right of collective self-defense have since become "national policy," and any assertion to the contrary could mean the end of one's political life.　
No other country is as bound to national defense as Japan. 
These three are at the top of the list.
In his blog, the author refers to the three non-nuclear principles as "the three non-nuclear hypocrisies" and the exclusive defense of the nation as "dumbfounded defense of the country." 
These three principles force hypocrisy and cessation of thought.
In Chapter 2, the author argues that Japan's nuclear armament is possible and that the U.S. welcomes it, although this has yet to be reported. 
It is a topic that I cannot discuss here because I have run out of space, but it was particularly interesting, and I read it two and three times.　
It is indeed a richly persuasive book that rebukes society.