Part 8/10:

Japan’s reflection on its past, particularly through the 80th-anniversary commemorations marking the end of World War II, adds a layer of complexity to current discussions. The nation grapples with its militaristic history and the ongoing debates over the scope of its military capacity. A November 2025 poll indicated that nearly half of the Japanese public supports exercising collective self-defense in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan, while the majority favored increased defense spending.