May 9, 2025

Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Yamazoe Taku on May 8, with regard to India’s launch of a military operation against Pakistan the previous day, stressed the need for both countries to exercise self-restraint and refrain from taking any further actions.

At a meeting of the House of Councilors Committee on Defense and Foreign Affairs, he criticized the Japanese government for yet working to strengthen military cooperation with India.

India claims that the military operation targeted terrorist locations in retaliation for the deadly terrorist attack on tourists that occurred on April 22 in Kashmir. Yamazoe said, “Retaliatory attacks are not justifiable in light of the UN Charter and international law. Restraint in taking any further actions is strongly required for the two countries as both are nuclear capable.”

Japan’s Defense Minister Nakatani Gen, during a meeting with his counterpart Rajnath Singh on May 5 in India, promised to establish a new consultative body to strengthen military cooperation.

Regarding this promise, Yamazoe asked, “India is willing to engage in armed conflict with its neighbor. Will Japan still promote military cooperation, including support through arms exports, with India?”

Nakatani replied, “We will further strengthen our defense cooperation and partnership with India.”

Yamazoe said, “A country promoting military cooperation without restrictions and pursuing economic growth through arms exports is what is in actuality called a ‘merchant of death,’ and if Japan has this idea, it will be a violation of the pacifist Constitution.”