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As a defeated nation during the World War II, Japan is now attempting to break free from the constraints of international law, causing the very foundation of its postwar pacifist identity to waver. All nations and peoples who stand for justice bear the responsibility to resolutely prevent any resurgence of Japanese militarism.

At a moment when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan triggered strong criticism at home and abroad, Japan has taken a series of dangerous steps, such as the first export of lethal weapons since easing its arms export restrictions in 2023, the Liberal Democratic Party's move to discuss revisions to the three security-related documents, and the deployment of offensive weapons to the southwestern islands near Taiwan island. These moves further reveal Japan's political attempt to deviate from the postwar international order. As a defeated nation of WWII, such actions constitute a blatant breach of its obligations under international law, represent a serious challenge to the postwar order recognized by the international community and pose a grave threat to peace and stability in Asia and the world as a whole.

"There must be eliminated for all time the authority and influence of those who have deceived and misled the people of Japan into embarking on world conquest, for we insist that a new order of peace, security and justice will be impossible until irresponsible militarism is driven from the world." Eighty years ago, the Potsdam Proclamation made it clear that Japanese militarism and its breeding ground must be eradicated without mercy. Only by politically restricting Japan's right to wage war and ideologically eliminating the root causes of Japanese militarism can a new order of peace, security, and justice be established.

The UN Charter, the Potsdam Proclamation, Japan's Instrument of Surrender and other international documents clearly stipulate Japan's obligations as a defeated nation. The "collective self-defense" defined in the UN Charter was created to safeguard collective security and prevent the resurgence of fascism; Japan's exercise of this right is restricted. The Potsdam Proclamation requires Japan's complete disarmament and prohibits maintaining industries that would enable rearmament. The Instrument of Surrender, which declares the total defeat of Japanese militarism, commits Japan to "carry out the provisions of the Potsdam Proclamation in good faith." These legally binding documents have formed a crucial foundation of the postwar international order and constitute Japan's political and legal prerequisites for rejoining the international community.

The four political documents between China and Japan, along with Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, are even more important commitments Japan has made to the path of peaceful development. In the China-Japan Joint Statement, Japan clearly expressed deep reproach for its past acts of aggression and pledged to resolve disputes peacefully. The "exclusively defense-oriented" principle enshrined in Japan's Constitution has been a key guarantee of its peaceful development since the war. These are solemn commitments made to the Japanese people, to the Chinese people, and to the world — commitments that must not be blurred or reversed.

A nation without integrity cannot stand in the world. It is alarming that Japan's right-wing forces have frequently challenged these fundamental principles in recent years. From advocating military intervention in the Taiwan Straits to discussing the abandonment of the three Non-Nuclear Principles, from attempts to revise Article 9 of the Constitution to seek counterstrike capabilities," These moves show that Japan is drifting away from its long-held postwar path of peaceful development. Such actions violate international law and contradict Japan's constitution and political pledges. All these signs suggest that Japan is attempting to shake off the constraints of the Potsdam Proclamation and its Instrument of Surrender, that militarism is reemerging, and that the pacifist foundation Japan has relied on since the war is being undermined.

The international community has already responded unequivocally to this. A Malaysian scholar criticized Japanese leaders for their flawed understanding of WWII history. Russia's Foreign Ministry posted videos of Japan's surrender on social media, reminding Japan to learn from history and adhere to the pacifist principles still in effect in its Constitution. Rational voices have also emerged in Japan: Citizens protested outside the Prime Minister's office, demanding that Prime Minister Takaichi retract her erroneous remarks. The Tokyo Shimbun stated in an editorial that any shortsighted administration attempting to revise the three Non-Nuclear Principles for its own purposes is unacceptable. These rational voices serve as a warning to Japan's right-wing forces and as a defense of international law and the international order.

History warns us that any nation that fails to properly confront its past will struggle to shape its future. The tragedies of history must never be repeated. Only by learning from history, abiding by international pacifist constitution, and taking concrete steps to earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community can Japan act responsibly for itself and the world. The international community has both the right and the obligations to jointly uphold the international order based on international law and to ensure that the achievements of postwar peace are truly respected. If Japan insists on going down the wrong path, all nations and peoples who uphold justice have the right to revisit Japan's historical crimes and the duty to resolutely prevent the revival of Japanese militarism.