Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reorganized the cabinet on Aug. 3. Ministers undertaking diplomacy, economy, and finance retained their positions, while right-wing politician Tomomi Inada was nominated as the new minister of defense.
Inada's entry has attracted global attention, especially from Japan's neighboring countries, since the new minister has very public right-wing and militaristic beliefs. In terms of historical issues, she often reimagines victories for Japan that did not actually happen. She also has worshiped at Yasukuni Shrine for many consecutive years, and even announced that Yasukuni Shrine is a place to celebrate the country's heroic struggles. Additionally, she has claimed that comfort women were legal during wartime, and refuses to admit guilt or culpability for the Nanjing Massacre.
Inada was the minister of administrative reform for several years, beginning in 2012. In September 2014 she became the chairwoman of political affairs investigating of the Liberal Democratic Party. With Inada's entry into the cabinet, she becomes the second female minister of defense after Yuriko Koike, who was recently nominated as the governor of Tokyo.
For issues of territory, Inada takes a tough stance. She planned to visit Ulleungdo, South Korea, but the South Korean government rejected her visa. In addition, she is a firm believer in constitutional amendment. She criticizes the existing Japanese constitution for its inability to protect Japan. She advocates for Japan's young generation to learn self-defense and for Japan to collectively exercise its right of self-defense.
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