Here
and
Now

opinions

The future of Japan’s pacifist Constitution

4 Comments
By Luke Mahoney, grape Japan
Photo: U.S. Missile Defense Agency | © Flickr.com

It’s the last thing anyone needs right now: fears of a nuclear war. Nevertheless, news reports throughout September pointed at the possibility of an upcoming underwater-launched ballistic missile test by North Korea. Such a test would coincide with stalled nuclear talks between the nation and the United States and would be the first such incident in about a year.

North Korean analysts base their concerns on recent satellite imagery showing an increase in activity at the Sinpo South Shipyard, where the isolated nation builds submarines. The Center for Strategic and International Studies told Reuters that recent images showed vessels in a secure boat basin capable of towing a submersible test barge out to sea. According to the U.S. think tank, the activity was "suggestive, but not conclusive, of preparations for an upcoming test of Pukguksong-3 submarine-launched ballistic missile from the submersible test stand barge."

While there is doubt among experts, some hint at the possibility of a test launch during an upcoming holiday in the Communist state. Recently, formations of troops have been practicing for a major parade set to occur on October 10th. The date marks the 75th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea and may be an occasion for missile tests or unveiling new weapons by the military.

A Change to Missile Policy

If these concerns are borne out, they would underline the sentiment put forth by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who recently stepped down this month. Prior to the September 17th election of Yoshihide Suga, the exiting Abe noted that Japan should look to bolster its ballistic missile defense system against threats posed by North Korea and others.

He warned in a statement, “I believe it is necessary to enhance deterrence and thereby further reduce the possibility of an attack against Japan by ballistic missiles and others.” He also responded to criticism claiming a new missile policy would be within the scope of the Japanese constitution. “Japan’s exclusively defense-oriented policy will not change at all,” he said.

Over his notably long tenure as Prime Minister, Abe made limited progress on revising Japan's pacifist constitution. The shortcoming may be due in part to LDP coalition partner Komeito party’s strong opposition to an offensive military expansion. Furthermore, under the insistence of other LDP members such as Suga, Abe opted to push a widely popular economic revival plan known as "Abenomics" during his tenure rather than focus on military expansion. Still, the former Prime Minister's recent remarks underline the LDP's urgency over revising the policy moving forward.

Article Nine and Japan’s Pacifist Constitution

Since the end of WWII, Japan has maintained a pacifist constitution which formally renounces the state's right to engage in offensive military actions. Originally imposed by the United States, Article Nine of the Japanese constitution declares that "land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained." Nevertheless, The Supreme Court has upheld the nation's right to maintain the ability to defend itself, allowing for the Japan Self Defense Force (JSDF). Ostensibly, the JSDF is an extension of the national police force.

Regardless, in recent years calls to revise the constitution have been increasing among government officials. In 2015, a contentious bill passed by Japan's parliament marked a notable shift in policy. Despite censure motions by the opposition party, the bill allowed Japanese troops to fight overseas for the first time since 1945. The Abe-backed legislation effectively expanded the limits of Article Nine and represented the end of a ban on exercising power by the state.

The momentum has continued recently as Japan works to bolster its intelligence system and project power abroad by joining the Five Eyes intelligence coalition. Earlier in the year, Abe also sought to add a minor clause to Article Nine, which would explicitly recognize the JSDF's legitimacy. However, even in the final months of his reign, the public remained staunchly opposed to any changes.

The Path for Suga

As a longtime supporter of Abe, the military issue will likely remain front-and-center for the newly elected Suga. Indeed, the 71-year-old politician was quick to announce his revisionist support as he launched his candidacy for Prime Minister. Like Abe, he emphasized the importance of recognizing the JSDF.

More controversial, however, Suga is likely to push forward a contentious new plan to acquire cruise missiles which could be used in pre-emptive strikes. The move comes after the recent decision to cancel the Aegis Ashore missile defense system. Although Japan likely lacks the satellite technology to leverage the offensive system fully, its development would mark a fundamental shift in policy. It appears that Suga will have to decide if he is ready to face public scrutiny over the issue and perhaps wed his tenure to revising Japan’s pacifist constitution.

Read more stories from grape Japan.

-- How Japan’s economy was built to withstand foreign takeover

--With a growing elderly population, Japan turns to tech to provide care

-- Illustrator gozz imagines what lurks beneath an onsen’s cold water tub [thalassaphobia alert]

© grape Japan

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

4 Comments
Login to comment

In a picture-perfect, ideal world, there would be no need for armed forces, police, jails, or judges. In this world, all of those things are needed. So, a pacifist Constitution begs the question, does Japan have the right and the obligation to defend itself from threats and actual aggression? Does a pacifist Constitution mean that Japan has no right to defend itself, if for some reason the USA decided that it no longer was interested in the job?

China is already an economic powerhouse, and in the next few decades its military will likely become powerful enough to overwhelm any one of its neighbors. Already Xi broken the treaty guaranteeing freedom in Hong Kong, and has threatened to overwhelm Taiwan's defenses. Who is next? What if Trump is re-elected, and decides to betray our Asian allies, like he did the Kurds?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

To attack at this time means very poor strategy on N.Korea part. THAT'S not their needs.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

It’s very simple. You need an effective answer to any possible scenario you can think of, and of course there are a few scenarios where you don’t have any seconds left to read or discuss the constitution. If such an answer is then pacifistic with completely no action, a defensive military action, an offensive pre-emptive strike or even the necessity of an atomic weapons based defending strike is depending on the capabilities of the potential enemy. If they throw away their atomic bombs and don’t have a big military and are peaceful you can also be practicing pacifism , but if they could attack , you need a defense and if they could attack with atomic weapons you need an outnumbering answer with conventional weapons or also atomic weapons.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

"project power abroad" "military expansionism" "troops to fight overseas"

It's difficult to imagine more poisonous or terrifying words for Nihon than these. What need has Nihon to "project power abroad" other than its already phenomenal economic penetration of essentially all major world markets. The power which Nihon projects abroad is the power of its designers, manufacturers, culture, and adventurousness in imagination. It is only the blind who think that a bayonet has MORE power, those weak in perception and innocent of altruistic impulse, in short, the greed driven monsters every Human identity group must hold at bay or pay terrible costs in their precious young who must carry out the horrors these people have brought upon us in our history, now, ...and sadly, in our future. Imagine if Article Nine were not just for Nihon, but for all of our Human World. If certain pathological personalities want to project Nihonsei POWER, project Article Nine, make Article Nine the undeniable power of Japan and carry it as a torch to light the way for all the rest of Humanity. Or face a almost certain nuclear waste where a bright culture once existed. "Wasurenai!" is the call but remembering what it REALLY means is what the war pushers want to obscure. Power oppresses, culture conquers. And the greatest threat to Nihon is NOT Bukhan, it's the United States who will throw Japan as a sacrifice in front of any major threat to the U.S. You KNOW this. Also, imagine the increased taxation to pay for all of the useless toys of mass murder U.S. Corporations are salivating to sell to Japan (see: Aegis Ashore). sigh

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites