Japan’s 2026 Defense Plan Sparks Global Youth Concerns
Young people worldwide are raising red flags after Japan’s cabinet approved a 9 trillion yen defense budget for fiscal 2026 on December 26. If passed by lawmakers next year, this would mark Japan’s third consecutive record-breaking military budget since 2023. 🔥
Survey Reveals Historic Distrust
A CGTN/Renmin University survey of 17,043 people across 29 countries shows 81.5% view PM Sanae Takaichi as a threat to regional peace through her controversial shrine visits and military expansion. Among under-45 respondents, concern spikes to 83%. 📊
Yasukuni Shrine Visits Ignite Fury
🔴 88% condemn Japanese politicians’ repeated visits to war criminal-honoring Yasukuni Shrine 🔴 87.7% say Japan’s historical revisionism challenges WWII outcomes 🔴 89.4% demand Tokyo show restraint on historical issues
‘Militarism 2.0’ Fears Grow
With Japan easing weapons export rules and rewriting security policies, 73.2% of young respondents fear a return to pre-war militarism. Asian respondents particularly stress the need for trust-building actions (88.1% approval). 🌏
Survey conducted Nov 8-Dec 18, 2025 across 29 nations including major developed and Global South countries.
