North Korea has criticized Japan for its recent joint military exercises in the Asia-Pacific region, which the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted with U.S. and French forces. The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea’s Workers’ Party, published a commentary on Tuesday titled “A Second Greater East Asia War Will Never Be Allowed,” making this claim.
The article claims that Japan has been overzealous in supporting U.S. efforts to establish military cooperation with NATO member countries and an “Asian version of NATO” centered on a trilateral military alliance system between the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, following the Quad, Squad, and AUKUS initiatives.
The commentary warns that Japan’s militaristic ambitions for overseas invasion are reaching a full-fledged implementation stage, and countries in the region that suffered immense damage from Japan in the last century will never allow the descendants of the Imperial Army to start a second Greater East Asia War to fulfill their old dream of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.
The commentary warns that Japan’s militaristic actions are reaching a critical stage. It asserts that nations previously harmed by Japan’s imperialist actions will not permit a revival of its past ambitions, referencing Japan’s historical pursuit of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.
It also criticizes Japan for justifying its military expansion by citing regional security concerns, likening its actions to “a fox preaching to the hens.”
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted its first-ever joint exercises with U.S. and French forces off the eastern coast of the Philippines from February 10 to 18. The exercises involved 11 vessels and patrol aircraft, including Japan’s large escort ship, Kaga, which was converted into an aircraft carrier; the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier, Carl Vinson, and the French Navy’s aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle.