Uichiro Niwa's Final Message: Addressing a Generation Facing War

Uichiro Niwa's Last Work: A Call to the Z Generation

On January 28, 2026, the late Uichiro Niwa's final book will be released, titled "Z Generation: The First to Take Up Arms After the War." This work, published by Toyo Keizai Inc., encapsulates the thoughts and hopes of a man who served as the former chairman of ITochu Corporation and as Japan's ambassador to China.

Uichiro Niwa spent his life meeting with war veterans and military experts, sharing the vital message of the importance of never approaching war. As the world faces rising tensions from conflicts like the Ukraine war and unrest in the Middle East, he wrote tirelessly about considering peace in the present and for future generations until his passing in December 2025.

Japanese society is undergoing a significant transformation concerning war awareness. In light of the 2026 defense budget exceeding 9 trillion yen, which marks a historic increase, it becomes clear that there exists a troubling disconnect between government policies and the mindsets of the younger generation, who will ultimately bear the consequences if war erupts.

Niwa, raised in a family known for its love of reading, uses his final words to pass on a message steeped in the wish for peace to the youth. He emphasizes that the traumatic memories of past wars are fading, transforming into mere records void of emotional resonance. Niwa warns that without reflecting on this history, modern Japanese society could edge closer to accepting war without fully contemplating its ramifications.

The Alarming Reality of National Defense Awareness

In one of the critical statistics presented in Niwa's book from the 2022 World Values Survey, 13.2% of Japanese respondents indicated they would fight for their country in a war – the lowest percentage among surveyed nations. Moreover, nearly 38.1% chose not to state a clear position, reflecting a concerning lack of national defense awareness.

Niwa powerfully critiques the government's push to strengthen military capabilities while noting the obliviousness of the populace, particularly the youth, to the actual implications of warfare. He poses a stark reality: if Japan continues its current trajectory towards war, the young generation, alongside their children and grandchildren, may very well be the ones dosed in conflict.

The true essence of peace, as articulated by Niwa, is not the fantasy of a utopian existence but an ongoing struggle filled with tensions, compromises, and negotiations. He urges us not to romanticize peace but to understand its demands: a waiting game far more onerous than engaging in war, yet infinitely more preferable than losing countless lives and societal fabric to violence.

A Call to Reflection and Action

Influential figures like Masayasu Hosaka have endorsed Niwa’s prescient views, encouraging the youth to reject militarism and embrace the historical lessons of peace. They are urged to illuminate the future with an understanding that peace sometimes demands uncomfortable truths and introspection.

In commemoration of the book's release, the prologue detailing Niwa's vision of peace will be available for free on the media platform Note. Readers are invited to delve into this poignant message that starts with the bleak acknowledgment that war has not entirely disappeared from human existence.

For more details, the book is priced at 1,980 yen and consists of 248 pages in a standard format. The publication is poised to resonate deeply with contemporary readers facing the realities of conflict and the pressing need for peace.