Is Japan's Pacifist Identity at Risk Amid Rising Global Conflicts?

Japan's identity as a pacifist nation is increasingly challenged as it navigates a complex global landscape. Eight decades after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, memories linger, reminding the nation of the catastrophic consequences of war.

Survivors, known as hibakusha, continue to share their stories, highlighting the human cost of nuclear warfare. Yet, as geopolitical tensions rise, particularly with threats from Russia and China, Japan is reevaluating its stance on military defense.

The presence of US nuclear weapons in allied nations raises questions about the future of disarmament. While the hibakusha advocate for peace and nuclear abolition, the country faces a dilemma between its pacifist ideals and the necessity of security in an uncertain world.