At a time when the world is marking the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, the hard-won lessons of history are once again being tested. Developments surrounding nuclear nonproliferation, regional security and Japan's political and military moves have raised serious concerns about whether the country is honoring its postwar commitments or drifting toward dangerous revisionism.

Speaking at a review conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in New York on Monday, China's Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs Shen Jian stressed that the global nonproliferation regime must not be undermined by double standards. As the cornerstone of international nuclear governance, the treaty relies on the authority of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the trust of nonnuclear-weapon states. Yet, certain countries' selective application of the rules is eroding that foundation.

Shen pointed in particular to Japan's recent trajectory. Tokyo has in recent years released a series of troubling signals. Discussions about revising the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles", the expansion of long-range strike capabilities, and interest in hosting nuclear weapons under so-called "extended deterrence" arrangements all suggest a shift that warrants vigilance.

These concerns are compounded by broader policy changes. Tokyo is pushing for a revival of the titles of the military ranks used during World War II for the country's Self-Defense Forces. As noted by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian, Japan's postwar choice to abandon militaristic rank nomenclature was an effort to break with its wartime past. It was aligned with the spirit of its pacifist Constitution. Reinstating these titles now, under the pretext of fostering a "sense of honor", sends deeply troubling signals.

The Tokyo Trials delivered a definitive judgment on Japan's wartime aggression, affirming international justice and establishing a framework for postwar peace. Any attempt to dilute that legacy or advance neo-militarism runs counter to the postwar international order.

Further raising alarm are recent remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who has called for revising key security documents and preparing the country for a long-time emergency. Such rhetoric, coupled with efforts to strengthen military capabilities across maritime, cyber and economic domains, suggests a departure from the "exclusively defense-oriented" policy Japan has long professed.

Japan goes even further. During her recent visits to Vietnam and Australia, Takaichi promoted the so-called "free and open Indo-Pacific" strategy. Such initiatives risk creating division and confrontation, forming exclusive blocs rather than fostering inclusive regional cooperation.

Equally troubling are actions that touch on historical accountability. The recent visit by Japanese lawmakers to the Yasukuni Shrine, following Takaichi's monetary offering to the notorious shrine, once again underscores a persistent unwillingness among certain political forces to confront Japan's past. The site, which enshrines 14 WWII Class-A war criminals, remains a symbol of militarism. Such visits constitute a challenge to historical justice and the outcomes of WWII.

Likewise, Japan's unresolved obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention continue to cast a shadow. The destruction of chemical weapons left in China by Japanese forces during the war remains incomplete, decades after the agreed deadline. These weapons still pose serious risks to public health and the environment, making their thorough elimination not only a legal duty but also a moral obligation.

The tragedies of the past were born of unchecked militarism, strategic miscalculation and the erosion of international norms. Today, as the world reflects on the legacy of the Tokyo Trials, it is imperative that all peace-loving countries uphold their commitments, reject double standards, and resist any resurgence of militarism.

Peace and stability in Asia and beyond depend on vigilance, responsibility and a shared commitment to the principles that emerged from the ashes of the war. The international community should remain resolute in safeguarding these principles, ensuring that history is not repeated.