The following is from Yoshiko Sakurai's serialized column, which marked the end of Weekly Shincho, released on January 11th.
This article also proves that she is a national treasure, as defined by Saicho, the supreme national treasure.
It is a must-read not only for the people of Japan but also for people around the world.
The Political and Military Relationships that Led to the Death of Masashige Kusunoki
One of the things we in Japan should be interested in learning this year is the difference between strategy and tactics.
In the three documents on security strategy released by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the media articles and materials explaining them, the two words "strategy" appears frequently.
Tadae Takubo, a leading scholar on international relations, complained.
"The size of the defense budget and the possibility of introducing Tomahawks are all tactical matters. While that is important, strategy is not evident in the discussion of Japan's security. Instead, the strategy is to formulate a policy based on the significant trends of the international community. Because of its nature, the strategy does not usually come up in public discussions."
The primary axis of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), established in 1949, is an example.
Mr. Takubo continued.
"In '52, British Army General Ismay became NATO's, Secretary General. After the end of World War II, Europe was at odds with the Soviet Union and amid the Cold War. Ismay succinctly summed up NATO's strategy: "The U.S. is in, the Soviet Union is out, and Germany is down. In other words, get the U.S. deeply committed to NATO and eliminate the Soviet Union. And it means continuing to make Germany reflect on the situation. It is the way Europe will go, and this is how they should build the international community. It is a brilliant strategic theory."
Concerning the Greater East Asia War, our attack on Pearl Harbor was a tactic.
It succeeded brilliantly. But as a strategy, it was wrong.
It is because Japan should not have made the U.S. its enemy, as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto himself opposed the war between Japan and the U.S. until the very end.
The war was unavoidable, but it was a battle without a strategy.
This year, 2023, is by all accounts a year of extraordinary crisis.
Unless Japan prepares for security and the economy based on the premise of war, the situation will be irreversible.
We need strong military and economic power to deter China from giving up its invasion of Taiwan or Japan.
On top of that, what kind of countries should Japan cooperate with, and what position should Japan choose in the international community?
The essence is to define a strategy and then execute the tactics to support it.
Categorically deny the wisdom of the military.
Whether discussing tactics or strategy, it is maintaining a solid political-military relationship is the most crucial issue.
Politicians, the policy decision-makers, must receive correct information on security issues from the front without delay.
Russia did not maintain correct political-military relations.
For this reason, President Putin underestimated Ukraine and failed.
The world now fears that Xi Jinping will make the same mistake.
Japan also has a case to keep in mind regarding political-military relations.
The case of Emperor Godaigo and Masashige Kusunoki is a well-known historical figure but one that is not so well known today.
The tragedy and exploits of Masanari Kusunoki are described in detail in the Taiheiki, a famous work of literature.
Although it is a large book (40 volumes), the story unfolds with speed and strength.
At a time of heightened military tension in Reiwa, much can be learned by retracing Masashige's life.
Masashige fought with all his might for Emperor Godaigo, who was at odds with the Kamakura Shogunate.
The Kamakura Shogunate fell, and he eventually had to fight against the army of Ashikaga Takauji.
At that time, Masashige decided that the only way for his small army to win against the large Ashikaga force was to draw them into the capital of Kyoto, wage a guerrilla war, and after attacking with troops, retake the capital.
However, the court nobles, fearing the devastation of the capital, opposed this plan.
Emperor Godaigo listened to their opposition and ordered Masanari to leave Kyoto and meet the enemy at the Minatogawa River (Hyogo).
Masashige was a master of battle.
He had defeated large armies in battles up to that time by attacking in ways that no one had ever thought of before.
The nobles and the emperor, who rejected his military wisdom out of hand, were people with little understanding of military affairs.
If they followed the instructions of their ignorant leaders, they would have nothing but defeat.
Nevertheless, Masashige obeyed the sovereign's order.
Heading for the front line of the Minatogawa River, Masashige pondered what would happen after his death.
He had to leave behind a force to protect Emperor Godaigo.
With this in mind, he set out with only 700 cavalrymen.
With this force, he would face the Ashikaga forces, numbered 30,000 by land and 20,000 by sea.
After more than half a day of clashing and fighting, only 73 cavalrymen remained at the end of the battle.
Masashige committed suicide here, stabbing himself with his younger brother Masasue.
The final scene, in which the two swore to each other that they would be reborn seven times to destroy the enemies of the Imperial Court, is one of the story's most dramatic and tear-jerking scenes.
Masashige, as a soldier, fought according to the instructions of his commander-in-chief (in this case, Emperor Godaigo).
The relationship between politics and the military was protected because soldiers were never allowed to move without permission and obeyed orders.
However, Masashige lost his life because the top commanders who gave orders were ignorant of military affairs.
The top leaders had to be firm, especially having some understanding of military affairs.
A nation that only follows the U.S.
Are there any politicians in Japan today who understand the military at a certain level or above, who can grasp the overall situation, and who can draw up a strategy?
It is a sobering thought.
What is more worrisome is the possibility of Japan becoming a vassal state of the U.S. or China.
In the face of the looming Chinese threat, Prime Minister Kishida has announced the three Security Treaty documents, which state the possession of counterattack capabilities, and is working to strengthen military cooperation with the United States.
If these efforts merely strengthen Japan's military power, Japan will become a country that follows the U.S. in spirit.
From the three documents, we can read the spirit of "protecting one's own country by oneself."
Unless Japan demonstrates that it is genuine by enacting amendments to the Self-Defense Forces Law and the Constitution, Japan will remain a mere complement to the U.S. military.
It will remain a mentally protected nation of the United States.
Even if China's military threat can be dealt with through a closer Japan-U.S. alliance, the economic relationship should be of concern.
The Kishida administration, in cooperation with the U.S., has formulated an economic security strategy to avoid being entrapped by China.
The key will be whether or not it can be implemented and not merely worded.
Looking at our feet, while claiming to be wary of China, Japan continues to sell its land to China.
The Chinese capital has supplied even the electric power grid.
We continue to invest in China to secure short-term profits.
In this way, we will be crushed by China's influence.
It is not necessarily true that we will become like a vassal state that looks to them for guidance.
China's population will be overtaken by India this year.
As seen in its coronavirus policy, the CCP may be good at monitoring its citizens, but it cannot protect their lives and human rights.
People's hearts and minds are only moving away from the CCP.
I do not believe that the CCP can conquer the world.
No, it must not be allowed to conquer the world.
In order to oppose this grotesque country, it is better to make the formation of a multilateral alliance an effective strategy for Japan under the banner of human rights, freedom, and the values of international law.
