In August 1945, when Japan unconditionally surrendered, it is said that over 5 million soldiers remained both domestically and abroad. In contrast, the current number of Self-Defense Forces personnel is about 220,000 (approximately 90% of capacity). While the performance, type, and quantity of weapons Japan possesses are incomparable to that time, it is likely that improvements in other countries have progressed similarly.

If that’s the case, can we truly protect the country with this number of Self-Defense Forces personnel? In a country facing declining birthrates, is there feasibility in a plan to double the number of Self-Defense Forces personnel (which would still be less than 10% of what it was at the time of unconditional surrender)? Rather, I think we should shift our perspective to “war cannot protect the country” and reaffirm our belief in protecting the nation through the peaceful diplomacy upheld under the post-war constitution.

That said, there may be those in other countries who would draw their bows against such Japan. In such times, could foreign individuals who have had positive experiences in Japan raise their voices in unison to say, “Do not attack Japan”. In the realm of high politics, we might see ordinary people advocating for Japan with sentiments like “don’t crush manga and anime culture” and “protect the unparalleled culinary culture.”

To achieve this, we need to increase the number of foreigners who are fans of Japan. Not just tourists, but those who have lived in Japan, allowing them to become fans, and when the time comes, to raise their voices in defense of Japan. Is this absurd?

When I joined Chiyoda Corporation as a fresh man, it constantly accepted engineers from oil-producing countries in the Middle East as trainees for constructing and operating oil refineries. While this was a customer service in human resource development, the underlying mission was to promote friendship with oil-producing countries, crucial for Japan’s energy security, as Japan cannot survive without oil. Relying on weapons in conflict will not lead to victory for any nation.