Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution says the Japanese people “forever renounce war”. Japan also outlaws “land, sea, and air forces”. (It was written after Japan lost WW2). Today, Japan has “self defense” forces instead of a military. Watch the full explanation here
Read Article 9 of Japan’s Constitution here
Former President Abe Shinzo essentially rescinded Article 9, says Foreign Affairs Magazine. He “reinterpreted” the Japanese constitution so that Japan could work with its allies to boost security
When The Economist interviewed him in May, Abe talked about Ukraine’s influence on Japan’s defense. Read it here
The NYT likewise says that Russia’s Ukraine invasion made Japan challenge its reliance on the U.S. military for defense
And it’s possible the Japanese people might actually revise the constitution. The WSJ writes that the July 2022 elections put in place Abe’s former party, the LDP -- and they could very well do it
And Japan’s new PM, Fumio Kishida, promised to double Japan’s defense spending in the next five years. The head of the LDP’s tax policy panel says that Japan might raise corporate and income taxes to fund the increase
But The Atlantic Council doubts Article 9 is going anywhere. On the other hand, with escalating tensions around Taiwan, China’s militarization, and North Korea flexing its nuclear arsenal, the country could be willing to spend more on its defense
A Hill Op is into ditching Article 9. How else can Japan fight China?
A Washington Examiner Op agrees. China, of course, doesn’t want a militarized Japan -- but it sure would be great for the U.S.!
A fight-worthy Japan could help protect Taiwan in particular. The West needs to encourage Japan to boot Article 9, says The WaPo Ed Board
But an Asia Times Op counsels caution. Japan’s pretty much remilitarized already. Why spur a potential conflict by changing the constitution?
Right says a Warontherocks.com Op. Without Article 9, Japan’s military would probably operate the same way it does now. Getting rid of it could cause more trouble than it’s worth, so what’s the point?
A Jacobin Op also agrees: Remilitarizing Japan is exactly what the far-right politicians of Japan want. It could destabilize East Asia!
So what does the Japanese public think about the whole thing? Well, they’re pretty split. Some view the philosophy of Article 9 as an essential part of Japanese identity. Others think it needs to go -- CFR.org