North Korea reacted angrily to Japan’s recent election victory by Takaichi’s conservative government. Pyongyang accused Japan of bringing back its wartime ambitions. It said Japan is expanding defense and building strong military partnerships with global powers. North Korean state media claimed Japan aims to revive its empire in Asia. The Korea Central News Agency called Japan’s actions a move “favourable to realising its ambitions of overseas invasion by strengthening military collusion with global powers.” In a hostile tone, another North Korean state outlet reminded readers of alleged brutal acts committed by Japanese forces during the 1592 Imjin War. The article described the Japanese invaders as “brigandish” and committing “unethical crimes … so hideous that they can never be pardoned.” These statements underscore Pyongyang’s strong resentment against Takaichi’s conservative administration in Tokyo.