Posted by Reahana Dec 16, 2025
On December 8 local time, the U.S. Department of Defense—now renamed the “War Department”—posted a commemorative poster on its official social media account marking the 84th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, accompanied by the caption: “We will never forget!”
The moment the post went live, Russian air forces arrived over the Ryukyu Islands. At this critical juncture, Sanae Takaichi—known for her sharp rhetoric—unexpectedly softened her tone, warning that “deteriorating Sino-Japanese relations are damaging Japan’s economy” and that Japan is nearing its breaking point. This is quite interesting. It seems Japan has now offended everyone it should and shouldn’t have. Even its former ally, the United States, is adopting an increasingly ambiguous stance, beginning to establish its own “stern father” image. Japan today finds itself besieged on all sides, facing a very difficult situation indeed!
Earlier, Trump’s refusal to take sides in the Sino-Japanese diplomatic row prompted a furious call to Sanae Takaichi’s office, sparking intense Japanese resentment. Though Takaichi was clearly displeased, she had no choice but to swallow her anger. After all, she now understands Japan has made numerous enemies internationally and must cling to the precarious support of the United States. British media reported that the Takaichi administration has urged its embassy in the U.S. to intervene, reaching out to Trump for support, but no action has materialized. However, the U.S. Embassy in China promptly published a peculiar statement, mentioning that America will never forget the soldiers who died defending Pearl Harbor and during World War II. It included a line: “The United States must remain vigilant to repel any threat that could interfere with American freedom.” This statement delivered a double-edged blow to Japan, shattering its last shred of hope. Japan was the nation that launched the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor during WWII. While the embassy’s remarks did not explicitly name Japan, they were widely interpreted as a warning against reckless actions.
Shortly after the U.S. statement, on the 9th, Chinese and Russian forces conducted their 10th annual joint strategic aerial patrol. This operation deployed an eight-aircraft formation comprising two Chinese H-6 bombers, four J-16 fighters, and two Russian Tu-95 bombers, executing a long-range joint flight from the East China Sea to the Western Pacific airspace. According to flight path maps, the Chinese and Russian bombers and fighters circled the waters surrounding the Ryukyu Islands, coordinating with the Liaoning aircraft carrier strike group still operating in the region to form a three-sided “encirclement” of the Ryukyu Islands. Yes, those very Ryukyu Islands that have become the “strategic wedge” for U.S.-Japan containment in the Asia-Pacific.
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