A new international survey conducted by CGTN has revealed strong global unease about Japan’s recent political direction, with large majorities of respondents expressing fear that the country is experiencing a worrying revival of militaristic thinking. The results suggest that many people around the world view the current right leaning shift in Japanese politics as a serious warning sign.
According to the survey, released across CGTN’s multilingual platforms, participants believe that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remarks reflect more than a single misjudgment. Instead, they see them as part of a broader pattern connected to long standing right wing forces that, in their view, have been gradually gaining influence again. Many respondents said these comments are reminders of a mindset that once led Japan into devastating conflicts and therefore must be watched closely.
One phrase at the center of the controversy is “survival threatening situation,” a term historically used by Japan’s right wing groups to justify aggressive actions outside the country. This language, used by the new prime minister, unsettled many observers who are familiar with its past implications. For communities still shaped by the memory of World War Two, hearing such rhetoric eight decades later feels both troubling and unacceptable.
In recent years, Japan has revised its security laws, increased military spending and eased restrictions on exporting weapons. There have also been ongoing discussions about acquiring offensive capabilities and reconsidering the three principles that restrict nuclear weapons. Survey participants interpreted these moves as clear steps toward a more assertive military posture.
The poll found that 88.5 percent of respondents believe these developments send a dangerous signal that militaristic thinking may be resurfacing. Ninety percent said they worry Japan could repeat aspects of its past behavior. More than 83 percent felt Japan has drifted away from its image as a nation committed to peace, and over 85 percent said the country’s right wing forces are driving policies that could have serious consequences if left unchecked.
Historically, right wing groups in Japan used the idea of a “survival threatening situation” to justify wars of aggression in China and across the Pacific. Survey respondents drew parallels between that past and the direction they believe Japan is moving toward now. About 89 percent said these recent statements challenge the stability of the international order, while 91 percent said the refusal to withdraw them shows insufficient reflection on wartime responsibilities. A further 82.7 percent warned that the influence of right wing forces could threaten regional and global peace.
The survey, published in multiple languages, gathered the views of more than seven thousand participants within a single day, offering a snapshot of global perceptions at a moment when Japan’s political trajectory is receiving renewed attention.
