Abe proposes to add civilian control clause in Constitution revision

The JSDF exists. It's existed for a long time. The entire world, friends and foes alike recognize it's existence. But the Japanese can't? Who are the ones doing all the disaster work all the time?

Abe upping the scare factor

A new J-Constitution with a "civilian control clause" won't be worth the paper it's written on in the case of a military coup d'etat - rather like "Darling, you promised me you'd use a condom".

A Coup d'état in Japan is less likely than even in other top developed democratic countries. The fact is that the JSDF is already under civilian control.

Photo: I wonder who of the two has the sweaty fingers Kioke-San or Abe-San or both! Could not have been comfortable even by Western standards. Had to be excruciating by Japanese standards. Must have been like two wet eels trying to get a hold of each other. Just shows you what politicians will endure to get what they want.

Another 'proposal' from Abe with nothing to back it up. He is just saying what he thinks people want to hear. He is full of BS!

What an embarrassing photo!

Democracy in Japan is a fragile flower of recent origin and, judging from the historical record, military might has long played a prominent role in the internal affairs of the country. To imagine a future army coup to shore up the crumbling authority of the ruling elite is by no means a stretch.

How about a civilian controlled election including us tax-paying foreigners. It would be nice to be able to have a hand in choosing the right candidate not just party.

They'll protect JSDF from Trump's N. Korea plan.

u_s__reamerToday 09:12 am JSTDemocracy in Japan is a fragile flower of recent origin and, judging from the historical record, military might has long played a prominent role in the internal affairs of the country. To imagine a future army coup to shore up the crumbling authority of the ruling elite is by no means a stretch.

No it's a real stretch. That you can hold such a view exposes how little time you have spent in Japan to understand the population's ingrained military-phobia for the last 72 years. Even then you should be able to deduce it from the difficulty that the Abe administration is having moving forward anything involving the JSDF. When you have nations like China and North Korea as neighbors, it's ridiculous to be making such far reaching "what if" fantasies.

Is this some masonic style nippon gakai hand shake? ;o)

Who are the ones doing all the disaster work all the time?

True, my son is a sergeant in the JGSDF (helicopter rescue), they always go off where needed and are not allowed to eat anything until all the civilians are feed and even then it is very little at times. Also they are told not to wear their uniforms on public transportation or out on town because certain people get riled up and get very rude towards them.

Just basing from the picture alone, I'd say well done PM Abe! And why ? He's the only one wearing the akai hane!

@Dadude, even in my country the Phils, foreigners even tax paying ones aren't allowed to vote. One had to be a citizen to enjoy such right. what about in your home country?

But the Japanese can't?

Well, it's that Constitution:

"Article 9. Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.

In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized. "

That is nice, but in the USA, there is civilian control, but the government is always getting into unpopular wars, starting with Viet Nam.

socrateosToday 10:47 am JSTBut the Japanese can't?

Well, it's that Constitution:

"Article 9. Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.

In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized. "

Duh. That second paragraph contradicts reality and needs to me amended. It was the United States that forced Japan to put that in there and adopted in 1947. Just 3 years later when North Korea backed by the USSR and China crossed the 38th Parallel and invaded South Korea we were regretting it and forced Japan to create the JSDF as an extension of the National Police Agency to get around Article 9. Time to correct that second paragraph to reflect reality.

Abe proposes to add civilian control clause in Constitution revision: This title belongs to a person to be revised, Mr. Abe himself!

If J electorate are disillusioned they have every right and reason to  be. An unnecessary and costly election with policies, pledges and promises that have been pledged and promised to justify previous elections only to melt away like ice cream as the polling booths close.

Over the next month or so every manifesto declaration or programme trumpeted, no matter which flavour of political jaw bone pumps it out, all could have been implemented many times over if the political will ever existed.

And how Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and  Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike can stand there straight faced and insist they are both not reading from the same script is farcical of not comically absurd.

The well-intentioned pacifists are in fact playing into the hands of China and Russia, obvious supporters of Kim. Abe is by no means a great politician, but he is the only hope right now for Japan to have a sensible defense policy.

Abe is by no means a great politician, but he is the only hope right now...

I will add Koike. What she is trying to do is to lay a common ground on which two major Japanese parties can compete against each other toward the common goal: a strong and prosperous nation. Before Koike, parties were pulling Japan to opposite directions (pacifism or self-defense), splitting Japan.

Just basing from the picture alone, I'd say well done PM Abe! And why ? He's the only one wearing the akai hane!

Yeah, and if you have a closer look at the photo you can see Koike shirking away from Abe. I'm quite sure she feels very uncomfortable standing so close to him.

only hope right now for Japan to have a sensible defense policy

The last I heard, america was Japans only defense! Otherwise, what the hell are they still doing in Japan? If the constitution changes, us troops should pack up and leave as well!!

Haha, I think i'm falling off my chair! Oh my god, this is a bit too much for me to handle! Okey! You think Abe, who is the most hawkish politician in the chamber would ever allow the population of Japan to control his beloved "baby"?

Think twice, Japan! Abe is a civilian himself, so by adding "civilian control" nothing really changes! This is the usual game we've witnessed for too long!

Which is worse holding hands like that or all doing the fight fist pose?

Koike and Abe are on common ground. Both of them are conservatives and they get female voters' support.

Strikebreaker555Today 02:48 pm Think twice, Japan! Abe is a civilian himself, so by adding "civilian control" nothing really changes! This is the usual game we've witnessed for too long!

he Japanese population has a fear of the military taking control of the country. Looking at Japan's history from around 1922 through 1945, it's a well founded fear. The democratic system established after 1945 ensure that it will not be repeated, but there is the lingering fear which is being addressed by Abe, who as correctly pointed out, is already the supreme commander of the JSDF and is a civilian.

Wallace FredToday 01:33 pm JST The last I heard, america was Japans only defense! Otherwise, what the hell are they still doing in Japan? If the constitution changes, us troops should pack up and leave as well!!

So that your beloved Chinese PLA can come walking in? Not going to happen.

"If (the Constitution) clearly states civilian control, it will become even more clear" that the prime minister has the ultimate command over the SDF.."

Not necessarily. It could leave room for the defence minister, speaker of house of reps or councillors, etc. Even in Germany, its explicitly written: under defence minister in peacetime, chancellor in wartime.

Probably creating a panel of experts who are familiar with subjects.

We have to wait to learn what Japanese word is translated as civilian.

@diillusioned, surely you're not using your common sense. With her height and surely with the length of her arms and the way she crossed her arms, (right arms over her left) don't you think it would be that way no matter who's at her left.