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https://theconversation.com/defining-a-normal-country-japans-long-struggle-between-pacifism-and-the-threats-of-a-new-era-283891>
"When Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited the White House in March,
she reportedly told US President Donald Trump that Japan could not send forces
to help secure the Strait of Hormuz due to limits under the country’s
constitution.
Article 9 of Japan’s constitution renounces war and says the country will not
maintain military forces for the purpose of settling international disputes.
Since 1947, it has been the centrepiece of Japanese pacifism.
However, this could be changing. Takaichi’s conservative government has backed
higher defence spending, looser arms-export restrictions, stronger regional
security ties and, most controversially, a revision of Article 9.
Her government argues this is necessary to respond to rising threats from China
and North Korea. Late last year, she enraged Beijing when she raised the
spectre of coming to the defence of Taiwan. Earlier this month, Beijing accused
her government of pursuing “reckless militarism”.
Public opinion in Japan remains divided over Takaichi’s more hard-line
approach. Thousands have demonstrated in defence of the constitution, with many
opposed to changes that might make it easier for Japan to join foreign wars.
But Japan’s pacifism has never simply been a static constitutional principle.
For 80 years, it has been shaped by war memory, nuclear trauma, alliance
politics, regional tensions and fierce political struggles over the meaning of
peace."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
