Even the textbooks used in Japanese schools had been rewritten to reflect the perpetual guilt of Takahashi’s people and to heap that shame on children who had nothing to do with the events of the past. Still, it wasn’t enough for a rising China. They were putting political pressure on Sanetomi’s government to rewrite the books again—to eradicate any allusion to who the Japanese people were and how a tiny island had become feared by the entire world.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Prime Minister, but you must understand that if I were to turn around now, it would be seen as a dismissal of the sacrifice made by the men honored in this place. I—”

“General, please,” Sanetomi interrupted. This time, his voice wasn’t quite as even. Most people would mistake the subtle change in tone as irritation, but Takahashi saw it was something very different. Fear.

“After what just happened in the Senkakus, you more than anyone should understand that this isn’t the time for provocations. We’re stepping very close to the brink, Masao. Very close to the point where the posturing could…” His voice petered out for a moment. “Could become something more.”

War, Takahashi mouthed silently, relishing the feel of the word on his lips. How could a politician who wouldn’t even speak the word be trusted to protect Japan? These men’s lives were ruled entirely by fear. Of confrontation, insult, embarrassment. Of anything that could affect their soft and privileged lives.

Sanetomi liked very much to talk about the greatness of Japan and his own patriotism, but it was just theater. He would use back channels to Beijing to do whatever was necessary to appease his Chinese masters and de-escalate the standoff in the East China Sea. To quietly return Japan to the pathetic state that its people had come to accept as normal.

“I don’t understand,” Takahashi said, feigning respectfulness. “We demonstrated no aggression whatsoever in defending islands that virtually the entire international community agrees are ours. Further, I ordered the Izumo to retreat when the Chinese targeted it, even though that craft is more than capable of defending itself. How is it the responsibility of the Japanese people to de-escalate a situation that we didn’t create?”

“You are entirely aware that this isn’t a matter of fault,” Sanetomi responded. “In addition to a substantial nuclear arsenal, the Chinese military has ten times our manpower, ten times our tanks and artillery, and four times our combat aircraft. I understand and respect your efforts over the last thirty years to update the capabilities of our defense forces, General. But this isn’t the time for arrogance.”

Takahashi resisted the urge to laugh. Sanetomi understood nothing. It was very much the time for arrogance.