Storyline: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is facing sharp criticism from international analysts, who said her erroneous remarks are aimed at strengthening her political standing, but warned such a rhetoric could ultimately backfire. Former advisor to the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico Eduard Chmelar, also a political analyst and historian, called her remarks absurd and warned of a revival of nationalism and fascism in Japan. "It is outrageous. It is a revival not only of nationalism, but also of fascist tendencies, which are very strong in Japan. In Japan, we see militarism on the rise, and that is very worrying. I think that the international community should clearly reject such tendencies. It's very dangerous that such nationalist forces have come to power in Japan," said Chmelar. Andrey Denisov, first deputy chair of Russia's Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs of Russia, voiced concern that Takaichi's leadership has unsettled Japan's neighbors, due to her push for transforming Japan's Self-Defense Forces into a regular army and her suggestion of abandoning the three non-nuclear principles. "The coming-to-power of the current head of the Japanese government, to be honest, does not please any of its neighbors. She called for the transformation of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces into regular armed forces and hinted at the possibility of abandoning the three non-nuclear principles, which are sacred principles, one might say, for a country that survived atomic bombs," said Denisov. Denisov also said that Takaichi used them as a political tool to project strength, but she was wrong "In my view, she is trying to consolidate her position by showing Japanese society and voters how tough she is. But it is obvious that this approach is inappropriate. She has chosen the wrong target to flex her muscles with China. This tactic will not work, especially when it comes to the Taiwan question," said Denisov. South African international relations expert and former ambassador Kingsley Makhubela echoed the criticism, saying that Takaichi made a big mistake by meddling in China's internal affairs, especially sensitive issues like Taiwan. "She made a a bit of a big mistake by wanting to interfere on the Chinese domestic affairs. We've just had a a great celebration of the 80th anniversary of a victory over Japan, so the Japanese should have been very sensitive to this matter," said Makhubela. Shotlist: Tokyo, Japan - Nov 20, 2025: 1. Various of Japanese prime minister's office, security guards Slovakia - Recent: 2. SOUNDBITE (Slovak) Eduard Chmelar, former advisor to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (partially overlaid with shot 3): "It is outrageous. It is a revival not only of nationalism, but also of fascist tendencies, which are very strong in Japan. In Japan, we see militarism on the rise, and that is very worrying. I think that the international community should clearly reject such tendencies. It's very dangerous that such nationalist forces have come to power in Japan." Tokyo, Japan - Nov 20, 2025: [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 3. Various of National Diet building [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 4. Various of National Diet : 5. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Andrey Denisov, first deputy chair, Russia's Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs of Russia (partially overlaid with shot 6): "The coming-to-power of the current head of the Japanese government, to be honest, does not please any of its neighbors. She called for the transformation of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces into regular armed forces and hinted at the possibility of abandoning the three non-nuclear principles, which are sacred principles, one might say, for a country that survived atomic bombs." Tokyo, Japan - Nov 20, 2025: [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 6. National Diet building [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 7. Various of Japanese prime minister's office, pedestrians Moscow, Russia - Nov 27, 2025: 8. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Andrey Denisov, first deputy chair, Russia's Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs of Russia (ending with shot 9): "In my view, she is trying to consolidate her position by showing Japanese society and voters how tough she is. But it is obvious that this approach is inappropriate. She has chosen the wrong target to flex her muscles with China. This tactic will not work, especially when it comes to the Taiwan question." Tokyo, Japan - Nov 20, 2025: 9. Various of National Diet building Johannesburg, South Africa - Nov 27, 2025: 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Kingsley Makhubela, South African international relations expert and former ambassador (partially overlaid with shot 11): "She made a a bit of a big mistake by wanting to interfere on the Chinese domestic affairs. We've just had a a great celebration of the 80th anniversary of a victory over Japan, so the Japanese should have been very sensitive to this matter." FILE: Tokyo, Japan - April 2024: [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 11. Aerial shot of cityscape [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 12. Various of cityscape, traffic [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]