The world is clearly unstable right now.
● In Ukraine, the invasion is prolonged.
● In Gaza, retaliation is cascading.
● In the Taiwan Strait, tension has become a daily occurrence.
Neither the United Nations, international public opinion, nor ideals have been enough to stop the war.
And yet, in Japan,
there is one topic that is “shut down before it’s even considered.”
— Nuclear weapons.
● In Ukraine, the invasion is prolonged.
● In Gaza, retaliation is cascading.
● In the Taiwan Strait, tension has become a daily occurrence.
Neither the United Nations, international public opinion, nor ideals have been enough to stop the war.
And yet, in Japan,
there is one topic that is “shut down before it’s even considered.”
— Nuclear weapons.
"Reality is moving," but Japan is standing still
Whenever former Air Staff Chief Toshio Tamogami makes a statement about nuclear weapons, he is always met with criticism.
“It’s dangerous.”
“It’s inappropriate.”
“Don’t talk about that now.”
But ironically, it’s the countries that aren’t talking about that right now that are being dragged into this reality.
Ukraine has abandoned its nuclear program.
The whole world is watching the results.
This isn’t sentimental; it’s a recent, ongoing reality.
“It’s dangerous.”
“It’s inappropriate.”
“Don’t talk about that now.”
But ironically, it’s the countries that aren’t talking about that right now that are being dragged into this reality.
Ukraine has abandoned its nuclear program.
The whole world is watching the results.
This isn’t sentimental; it’s a recent, ongoing reality.
What Tamogami is saying is not a "conclusion"
The important thing here is what Tamogami is not saying.
He is not saying:
●Get nuclear weapons now
●Prepare for war
No, that’s not it.
What he consistently says is:
“Don’t tell me not to think.”
He is not saying:
●Get nuclear weapons now
●Prepare for war
No, that’s not it.
What he consistently says is:
“Don’t tell me not to think.”
The rational choice to take on the role of the villain
If he talks about nuclear weapons,
he will be criticized. He will be isolated. He will be misunderstood.
As a former senior officer in the Self-Defense Forces,
he knows this better than anyone.
But he still speaks because
if someone doesn’t take on the “losing role,”
the country will remain in a state of permanent mental paralysis.
This is not a populist statement.
Rather,
he is raising an issue that comes at the expense of his own reputation.
he will be criticized. He will be isolated. He will be misunderstood.
As a former senior officer in the Self-Defense Forces,
he knows this better than anyone.
But he still speaks because
if someone doesn’t take on the “losing role,”
the country will remain in a state of permanent mental paralysis.
This is not a populist statement.
Rather,
he is raising an issue that comes at the expense of his own reputation.
Nuclear weapons are not an "ideal" but they are a "reality"
Nuclear weapons are not an ideal.
Everyone agrees that they would be better off without them.
But at the same time,
● Nuclear-weapon nations avoid direct war with each other.
● Non-nuclear nations are more likely to be intimidated.
The reality is also true.
This is not an ideology.
Recent international events demonstrate this fact on a daily basis.
Everyone agrees that they would be better off without them.
But at the same time,
● Nuclear-weapon nations avoid direct war with each other.
● Non-nuclear nations are more likely to be intimidated.
The reality is also true.
This is not an ideology.
Recent international events demonstrate this fact on a daily basis.
As a nation that was bombed, we cannot turn a blind eye to reality
The memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are heavy.
That is why the topic has been suppressed in Japan.
But with the world in such turmoil right now,
is choosing not to think about it really peaceful?
As a country that was the victim of atomic bombings,
we have a responsibility to consider how we can realistically maintain a situation in which nuclear weapons are never used again.
That is why the topic has been suppressed in Japan.
But with the world in such turmoil right now,
is choosing not to think about it really peaceful?
As a country that was the victim of atomic bombings,
we have a responsibility to consider how we can realistically maintain a situation in which nuclear weapons are never used again.
Conclusion: This is not a nuclear story
This is not a question of whether or not to have nuclear weapons.
It is a question of whether Japan should be the only country that stops thinking while the world is moving forward.
It is not a question of “have nuclear weapons.”
It is a question of “don’t tell us not to think.”
Tamogami Toshio’s remarks quietly call into question whether Japan is a country that can continue to think for itself, amidst the increasingly unstable global situation these days.
It is a question of whether Japan should be the only country that stops thinking while the world is moving forward.
It is not a question of “have nuclear weapons.”
It is a question of “don’t tell us not to think.”
Tamogami Toshio’s remarks quietly call into question whether Japan is a country that can continue to think for itself, amidst the increasingly unstable global situation these days.