Japan might consider seeking integration with the United States.
Before dismissing the idea of becoming the 51st state of the U.S. as absurd, consider this: everyone wants to believe that such a scenario is a joke and that it would never happen.
However, Russia's invasion of Ukraine might signify the end of the Western dominance under American leadership.
Despite this, Western nations continue to mistakenly believe, driven by unfounded superiority, that they can control international affairs and security.
This is why Japan and Western media talk about "support fatigue" or downplay the issues by claiming that Western countries, unlike dictatorships, must consider domestic circumstances, which is why they lack unity.
In reality, it appears that the Western nations, even when united under U.S. leadership, cannot defeat Russia, an inconvenient truth now apparent to the world.
While the conflict between Ukraine and Russia rages on, Israel's invasion of Gaza has exposed America's double standards, causing global frustration.
Historically, the Western nations, backed by economic and military power, have freely imposed their ideologies of freedom, democracy, and globalization worldwide.
Yet, these same Western nations are now at risk of becoming global pariahs.
The U.S. is no longer the leader of a thriving world but rather the head of an outdated Western bloc basking in past glories.
However, Japan has no choice but to rely on America.
Japan lacks natural resources, cannot sustain its food supply, has no nuclear weapons as a deterrent, and is prone to top-tier natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanoes, and typhoons.
The once-proud economy is in decline due to a shrinking and aging population.
Japan's GDP has fallen to fourth place, overtaken by Germany, and soon India, Indonesia, Brazil, Russia, and Mexico may surpass it as well.
Geopolitically, Japan is in a precarious position.
Unlike Ukraine, which borders NATO countries, Japan is surrounded by adversaries: Russia, North Korea, and China.
If abandoned by America, Japan would be isolated.
Furthermore, the concern is that Taiwan, supposedly a Western ally, is close to China, and South Korea is historically linked to North Korea, making them the "two major powder kegs" of the Far East, akin to Ukraine and Russia.
Japan is in dire straits, yet neither the government nor the public seems prepared to escape this predicament.
At this rate, Japan has no future.
However, upon closer examination, Japan still holds potential.
Japan has many points of complementarity with the U.S.
The American economy is highly focused on software and services, with a declining manufacturing sector.
Conversely, Japan remains a manufacturing powerhouse, having lagged in the shift to software and services.
This alone creates a win-win complementary relationship between Japan and the U.S.
Militarily, numerous U.S. bases are already in Japan, and the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty is Japan's only military alliance.
Consider this: geopolitically, if the U.S. loses its ally Japan in the Far East, Taiwan, South Korea, Guam, and even Hawaii would eventually fall.
This would bring the American mainland to the front lines, making Japan America's lifeline.
Therefore, Japan should seize this opportunity to propose integration with the U.S. and aim to become the 51st state.
A treaty-level alliance can be overturned at any time, rendering it unreliable.
The government and the Liberal Democratic Party should prioritize and push forward the policy of "integration with America."
If America rejects this, Japan would have no choice but to become a nuclear power, aiming to be the next North Korea.
North Korea, despite being terrifying, is remarkable.
Despite relentless American pressure, it has not become a vassal of Russia or China, forging its path to becoming a nuclear power and securing its safety.
The stories mentioned here are nothing more than jokes, and I want to believe that such a future would never come.
However, what Japan needs now is to “expect the worst and strive for the best.”
