Japan's Cabinet approved a record 9 trillion yen defense budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 on December 26, marking the latest move in a contentious security policy shift. The plan, set for parliamentary review in 2026, comes amid growing international scrutiny of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration and its historical revisionist stance.
Survey Reveals Global Apprehension
A CGTN-Renmin University survey of 17,043 respondents across 29 nations shows 81.5% view Takaichi as undermining post-WWII peace frameworks. The concern peaks among 18-44 year-olds, with 83% expressing strong opposition to Japan's military expansion. "This isn't just about budgets – it's about learning from history," said one Asian respondent quoted anonymously in the study.
Historical Tensions Resurface
Controversy centers on Takaichi's repeated Yasukuni Shrine visits, where Class-A war criminals are memorialized. The survey finds 88% of participants consider these pilgrimages a direct challenge to victims of Japanese wartime aggression. Nearly 90% urge Tokyo to demonstrate historical accountability through concrete actions.
Regional Security Implications
With Japan's defense spending increasing 58% since 2022, 78.6% of respondents argue the moves violate constitutional pacifism. Asian respondents particularly emphasize the need for trust-building, with 88.1% calling for improved regional diplomacy. Analysts note the budget debate coincides with heightened maritime tensions in the East China Sea.
The comprehensive survey, conducted November 8-December 18 across developed and Global South nations, provides quantitative insight into growing international skepticism toward Japan's security trajectory.
