Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet has hit record approval ratings this December, but analysts warn the surge reflects a dangerous shift in public sentiment. As anime and J-pop continue dominating global #CoolJapan trends, critics argue nationalist politicians are rewriting history textbooks and normalizing militarist policies under the radar.
🔍 Behind the Numbers: Youth-focused campaigns framing military expansion as 'national pride' gain traction amid economic uncertainty. Japan's defense budget is set to hit ¥50 trillion ($350 billion) in 2025 – a 70% increase from 2022 levels.
⚠️ Red Flags: – Constitutional reinterpretations allowing preemptive strikes – Increased visits to Yasukuni Shrine by cabinet members – Nuclear energy debates shifting toward weapons potential
Gen-Z activists like 22-year-old Kyoto student Rina Sato tell NewspaperAmigo.com: 'They use manga aesthetics to make samurai-era imperialism look glamorous. My peers don’t realize how close we’re getting to war-footing rhetoric.'
With cross-strait tensions and DPRK missile tests dominating regional headlines, experts urge young voters to scrutinize the cabinet's 'security reforms' ahead of 2026 elections. As one Tokyo University professor put it: 'Approval ratings built on historical amnesia are approval ratings in crisis.'
