December 8, 2025What is a “War Narrative”?A war narrative is a carefully crafted “story” designed to justify war or confrontation.
It is subtly woven into news reports, politicians’ statements, the order and emphasis of coverage, and creates the unconscious impression that “war feels inevitable.”
By understanding this mechanism, we can see how our perceptions are being manipulated without us realizing it.Table of Contents
- The Root Intention
- The Structure of Information
- Manifestation in Reality (Imagination → Action)
Why recognizing this matters
Lessons from contemporary cases
1. The Root IntentionEvery war narrative begins with the intentions of forces that seek war or escalation.
In the current Japan-China context:
- China: Maintain and expand territorial claims, resources, and military influence
- Japan: Ensure national defense and the safety of its citizens
These intentions are rarely presented directly to the public, yet they form the hidden foundation of the narrative.
For example, the December 8, 2025 incident in which a Japan Air Self-Defense Force aircraft was illuminated by fire-control radar from a Chinese warship was a concrete manifestation of both countries’ strategic intentions.2. The Structure of InformationTo transmit these intentions to society, information and stories are deliberately structured. The typical flow is:
- December 8: News breaks about the Chinese warship’s radar lock-on
- Politicians and media repeatedly use phrases like “provocative act” and “extremely regrettable”
- Social media and commentary programs endlessly emphasize the “danger”
Through this orchestrated combination of messages, public psychology is naturally steered toward:
“The enemy is dangerous” → “We must defend ourselves”
Thus, the skeleton of a war narrative gradually takes shape in society.3. Manifestation in Reality (From Imagination to Action)Information shapes consciousness and behavior, eventually producing real-world friction and incidents, such as:
- Heightened alert postures by the Air and Maritime Self-Defense Forces
- Rising anxiety and protest sentiment among citizens and media
- Strengthening of diplomatic and defense responses by the government
In this way, people unconsciously begin to “feel the danger of war,” and society as a whole becomes trapped inside the narrative.
Even seemingly isolated incidents come to be perceived as part of the larger story.Why Recognizing This Is CrucialOnce we become aware of the existence of war narratives:
- We are less likely to be swayed by provocations or information manipulation
- We can calmly ask ourselves: “Do we really have to go to war?”
Provocative acts and isolated incidents are merely pieces of a larger narrative.
Understanding the structure behind them is the first step toward protecting peace.Lessons from Today’s Cases
- The way information is emphasized dramatically affects public psychology
- Concepts like “the enemy’s danger” and “the legitimacy of our defense” emerge naturally within the narrative
- Isolated incidents are manifestations of the narrative and should not be judged solely on emotion
By understanding this process, we can avoid being swept up in societal psychological manipulation and consciously choose actions that promote peace.Closing MessageTo everyone who desires peace: please share this perspective widely.
