Russian Official: Japan is Becoming a "Aggressive" Military Political Power Again

Reference News Network reported on April 16 According to TASS on April 13, Nikolai Patrushev, assistant to the President of Russia and chairman of the Maritime Commission, revealed in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta that Japan will form a special force in April this year, responsible for coordinating the acceleration of the integration of unmanned equipment and systems into the Maritime Self-Defense Force.

The report states that Patrushev noted Japan is becoming an aggressive military and political power again, and its Maritime Self-Defense Force is no longer limited to self-defense.

Patrushev cited an example: "The Japanese Ministry of Defense has decided to form a special force in April this year, responsible for coordinating the acceleration of the integration of artificial intelligence unmanned equipment and systems into the Maritime Self-Defense Force."

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force receives increasingly advanced submarines every year. He pointed out: "The latest batch of submarines is equipped with 'Type 18' heavyweight torpedoes and 'Harpoon' anti-ship missiles. The 'Taigei' class submarines (as shown) will be equipped with cruise missiles with a maximum range of about 1,500 kilometers in the future."

Patrushev also noted that Japan has begun deploying long-range missile systems and continues to advance the adaptation of laser weapons for surface vessels.

In addition, Patrushev pointed out: "Various signs indicate that Japan no longer considers itself bound by the constraints imposed on it after World War II."

Patrushev explained: "Today, the Maritime Self-Defense Force is the fourth or fifth largest naval power in the world." He stated that the Maritime Self-Defense Force has more than 30 destroyers and over 20 submarines. Furthermore, the force even includes aircraft carriers, "which were previously labeled as helicopter destroyers."

Patrushev believes that "the United States views Japan as its 'unsinkable aircraft carrier' in the Asia-Pacific region and is doing everything possible to promote the development of Japan's army and navy."

He pointed out: "It is likely that very few Japanese people are aware that during World War II, proponents of American racist ideology published research reports suggesting that Japanese people seem to be inherently aggressive and lack negotiation skills."

Patrushev said: "Japan once confronted the United States and the United Kingdom and challenged the absolute hegemony of Anglo-Saxons in the Pacific region. The Japanese Empire's ambition for maritime hegemony instilled fear in the West, partly because it was the West that initially built this military machine in Japan and taught it how to fight against China and Russia." (Translated by Li Ran)