Cabinet adopts resolution dropping ban on collective self-defense

Well, the man said he would shake japan up from its slumber, and so he does apparently.

“I will protect Japanese people’s lives and peaceful existence. As the prime minister, I have this grave responsibility. With this determination, the cabinet approved the basic policy for national security,” Abe said.

Protect the Japanese people from what and whom?! The painful irony here is that any aggression Japan is experiencing from anyone right now is a direct result of this drivel from Abe and his obnoxious nationalism-minded friends.

A megalomaniacal national leader with a messiah complex. Can't see this going, horribly, horribly wrong for Japan in the future. Nope, not at all.

So is now the time when they start the process of amending the Japanese Constitution?

evian 1Jul. 04, 2014 - 05:59AM JSTit also a sad day for Japanese whose young soldiers will need to die for none of their business in East and South seas,

Like Russia in the Cold War, the only thing the China will understand is force. Unfortunately, all these nations involved in their dispute are going to have to go nose to nose with China.

it should be a day of mourning for Japan! one wonder if and how a idiotic PM and his cabinet can easily pass such a resolution without seeking the public in referendum. Japan claim itself a democratic country? or just proxy and front runner for the American Asia Pivot? a conspiracy of all begin with Shintaro Tsuji ?

it also a sad day for Japanese whose young soldiers will need to die for none of their business in East and South seas, it's also sad to see Chinese one-child parents need to bury their only son ALL because of Abe San and his American military cohorts...... when is Asian going to wake up ? as these 2 countries are carefully manipulated by the US using its famous stupid culture of face saving?

@superbird1

You think we have military in the region for a beauty contest or something?

exactly my point. Japan has been safe do to the security pact with the US.

I seriously do not understand you peoples need to see Japan fail at everything.

I've lived in Japan for over 20 years and the last thing I want is for Japan to fail. I also do not want it's leaders to trample the constitution just to get their agenda through and by all accounts neither would any American want their president doing the same which he is always being accused of by the mislead followers of zeolites like Limbaugh and Hannity. I believe Japan is capable but only along side it's ally the US. Constitution is at the core of this issue, not defense, which Abe is cleverly trying to circumvent and will rip to shreds the first opportunity he has.

@Mr Perfect

I also served my country 4 years as an infantryman, 2 years in Germany from 1988-90, two stateside. I clearly stated that Abe has NO bills awaiting approval that would beef up Japan's military capabilities with either more hardware or troops buildup! Please explain where I'm wrong as you seem to have a much more intuitive sense of tactical military strategy.

Japan DOES in fact have plans for more hardware. Including destroyers, submarines, and new fighter aircraft. Have you not been paying attention at all? This will be a 10 year buildup plan as stated by Abe himself.

What has the free world done to protect Japan? Ask anyone in Japan who they would call on to back them up when the sh*t hits the fan and it surely ain't gonna be the free world my friend! Again, please back up your argument with a little more insight as there ain't no substance to your argument.

They wouldn't have to call anyone. You think we have military in the region for a beauty contest or something? No! wait! I'm obviously imaging it! Just wishful thinking on my part. I seriously do not understand you peoples need to see Japan fail at everything. It sounds incredibly desperate to me. And just because you do not like the substance contained therein doesn't mean there "aint" none.

@superbird1

Good thing you are not a high ranking official in the Japanese military! Those folks would be doomed! You have no sense of tactical military strategy what so ever. It's insulting as a vet to hear.

I also served my country 4 years as an infantryman, 2 years in Germany from 1988-90, two stateside. I clearly stated that Abe has NO bills awaiting approval that would beef up Japan's military capabilities with either more hardware or troops buildup! Please explain where I'm wrong as you seem to have a much more intuitive sense of tactical military strategy.

Wrong again! It is most of the free world including Japan that has kept Japan safe.

What has the free world done to protect Japan? Ask anyone in Japan who they would call on to back them up when the sh*t hits the fan and it surely ain't gonna be the free world my friend! Again, please back up your argument with a little more insight as there ain't no substance to your argument.

@Mr. Perfect

Secondly, NONE of the scenarios Abe has presented show a weakness in Japan's ability to defend ITSELF. If Japan were truly vulnerable to Chinese aggression than why is there NOT ONE proposal in Abe's legislative bills that includes beefing up Japan's military capabilities with either more hardware or troops buildups or both, NOT ONE!

Good thing you are not a high ranking official in the Japanese military! Those folks would be doomed! You have no sense of tactical military strategy what so ever. It's insulting as a vet to hear.

Japan and it's security pact with the United States is all that has kept Japan safe from foreign aggression and will continue to do so. No matter what, Japan will NEVER be capable of taking on China alone unless it's fertility rate jumps a thousand percent, it increases land mass to allow for the incredible population boom and Japan decides to have a nuclear arsenal that would make the North or China think twice and those are the cold facts.

Wrong again! It is most of the free world including Japan that has kept Japan safe. Even China Has allies, and would not attempt to go it alone with Japan. You wanna talk about fertility rate? How about the fact that china's population is also falling due to it's mostly male population? Proven fact. I have said it here before. "Quality vs Quantity".

Mr. PerfectJUL. 02, 2014 - 10:29AM JST

it's called constitutional revision which procedures are outlined in the Japanese constitution and are clearly defined in Japanese law, which by the way Abe had his hand in changing to better his chances of success if he were to choose that course! It's also called debate and NOT between ONLY Juminto and Komeito but amongst ALL political parties and constitutional and military experts. And most importantly lets NOT forget the citizenry's involvement because ultimately it's them who will finally judge and vote in a referendum.

Secondly, NONE of the scenarios Abe has presented show a weakness in Japan's ability to defend ITSELF. If Japan were truly vulnerable to Chinese aggression than why is there NOT ONE proposal in Abe's legislative bills that includes beefing up Japan's military capabilities with either more hardware or troops buildups or both, NOT ONE!

Japan and it's security pact with the United States is all that has kept Japan safe from foreign aggression and will continue to do so. No matter what, Japan will NEVER be capable of taking on China alone unless it's fertility rate jumps a thousand percent, it increases land mass to allow for the incredible population boom and Japan decides to have a nuclear arsenal that would make the North or China think twice and those are the cold facts.

Man! a lot of what your saying just doesn't jive with with the real world data. Not trying to be a blow hard or anything but what your saying doesn't make sense.

@sfjp330

Now, under Abe, the only choice is between more and deadlier armaments and offensive reach, and much more of both. Collective defense would have Japan attacking and submitting itself to attacks in circumstances where it had not been attacked first and could have avoided hostilities. The principle that democracies should work together to face the threat of dictatorships is a linchpin of the post-World War II world order. And, so a coalition of democracies could be a more effective counterweight to China’s encroaching militarism? More effective to what?

More effective twords your personal freedom! Your right to choose whatever religion you hold dear. Your right to earn a fare wage. Your right to choose when to have offspring. Your right as a HUMAN BEING! Do you not see what China "the peaceful nation" has planned? Have you the slightest clue as to the plan they have for Japan, and eventually others? Unless the lack of freedom is your thing, I should think you actually want the rights you have right now. Like being able to post your opinion in these forums yea?

There are a lot of pompous butt heads here in the US that have an over inflated opinion, and try to dictate to others how best to live their lives. A lot of folks get upset by it, but the one thing any decent military personnel will tell you is that "We fight for the right of those butt heads to voice an opinion" That is freedom! Do you not know about Tibet? Tienanmen Square? Have you no idea who these folks really are?

Well given the regional situation, What else would you have them do? I would really like to see someone offer a viable solution. I'm betting that none of you has one...

it's called constitutional revision which procedures are outlined in the Japanese constitution and are clearly defined in Japanese law, which by the way Abe had his hand in changing to better his chances of success if he were to choose that course! It's also called debate and NOT between ONLY Juminto and Komeito but amongst ALL political parties and constitutional and military experts. And most importantly lets NOT forget the citizenry's involvement because ultimately it's them who will finally judge and vote in a referendum.

Secondly, NONE of the scenarios Abe has presented show a weakness in Japan's ability to defend ITSELF. If Japan were truly vulnerable to Chinese aggression than why is there NOT ONE proposal in Abe's legislative bills that includes beefing up Japan's military capabilities with either more hardware or troops buildups or both, NOT ONE!

Japan and it's security pact with the United States is all that has kept Japan safe from foreign aggression and will continue to do so. No matter what, Japan will NEVER be capable of taking on China alone unless it's fertility rate jumps a thousand percent, it increases land mass to allow for the incredible population boom and Japan decides to have a nuclear arsenal that would make the North or China think twice and those are the cold facts.

superbird1 Jul. 02, 2014 - 08:04AM JST Well given the regional situation, What else would you have them do? I would really like to see someone offer a viable solution. I'm betting that none of you has one..

Now, under Abe, the only choice is between more and deadlier armaments and offensive reach, and much more of both. Collective defense would have Japan attacking and submitting itself to attacks in circumstances where it had not been attacked first and could have avoided hostilities. The principle that democracies should work together to face the threat of dictatorships is a linchpin of the post-World War II world order. And, so a coalition of democracies could be a more effective counterweight to China’s encroaching militarism? More effective to what?

Mr Perfect

To usurp the Japanese Constitution in such a blatant and callous manner and simply out of a clear disdain for it, as Abe believes that it was thrust upon the defeated by the victors of WWII, is not only a violation of the 日本國憲法 but more importantly a violation of ALL generations of Japanese past, present and future.

Well given the regional situation, What else would you have them do? I would really like to see someone offer a viable solution. I'm betting that none of you has one...

To usurp the Japanese Constitution in such a blatant and callous manner and simply out of a clear disdain for it, as Abe believes that it was thrust upon the defeated by the victors of WWII, is not only a violation of the 日本國憲法 but more importantly a violation of ALL generations of Japanese past, present and future.

Democracies survive based on principles established within their constitutions that are there to safeguard and represent the rights of the people. Whether you agree or disagree with Abe's belief that Japan needs to assert itself militarily, all of us should appreciate and respect the fact that Japan is a constitutional democracy and simply ignoring articles within it's constitution when they don't satisfy one's agenda and trample over Article 9 in such a callous manner because seeking to amend the constitution through clearly established procedures is too excessive and time consuming in some people's opinion is clearly a transgression against the Japanese people.

All Abe and his cronies have done is laid the framework for future administrations to follow when they find the constitution a hindrance to their agenda by circumventing or simply ignoring it. Pointing to a twisted, self-serving interpretation of the 1959 Sunagawa ruling by a tainted 1959 Supreme Court as a legal basis to promote Abe's controversial policy is nothing more than ludicrous! All Japanese should be appalled by the roughshod manner Abe has conducted himself in seeking to unravel the principles this great nation were founded upon and should be more alarmed at the precedent his actions have established for future administrations. What another truly sad day Abe has thrust upon the citizenry of Japan that he was sworn to represent and to their constitution he was sworn to uphold as prime minister. ALL HAIL CAESAR!

U.S. or Japan do not want to be in a position where by following Chinese instructions you are giving tacit acknowledgement of their sovereignty over a disputed area. However, you can’t have Chinese and Japanese armed jets flying over the Senkaku/Daioyu Islands at the same time. If you do have them out there, what are the rules of engagement? What do you tell them to do? If a Chinese or Japanese jet got shot down, what would China gain from this? It would have a propaganda victory of claiming to be a victim. And there is a fear that is precisely the game that is being played, it seems no accident that the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu islands are now in the heart of overlapping zones. There might have more risk of encounters with Chinese aircraft in the area, and need to establish a system to avoid unnecessary incidents.

I feel most of you are blowing this way out of proportion. And most of you do not seem to know what your really talking about. So instead you offer straw man theories based on past events as if they are some sort of holy scripture. If we are to believe what your selling, then you must offer conclusive evidence. You cannot sway public opinion based on rubbish. Having said that, I will also point out to you that NO ONE in America cares. No really! They could care less. Unless they are of Korean or Chinese decent, and a few folks like myself.

This is what happens when you constantly pick at a sore though. (Talking to you Korea and China) It gets infected and thus, you have made it worse. I believe anyone with common sense can see this. This situation is now on the slippery slope, and it's just the beginning. All the crying, moaning, finger pointing isn't going to change it. It's a done deal. Secure. PERMANENT!

Yes China's approach on Japanese civilians won't work. It will rather work negatively on China's intention.

But as a Japanese, I think China issue will settle down some time in the future. They are behaving bad in East China Sea and South China Sea because they don't know how to act as a big power, they still tend to act like North Korea that's their habit. Recently RIMPAC invited China, that was a great move of USA. Navy culture is a good one as a text book for China. They will take time, slowly, to learn how to act as a decent trusted big power. They know what they need to learn. I don't think Japan and US would be too much worried about China's starting a total war. that's as long as their system is maintained and kept though...btw 90% of us have negative impression on CCP but we kind of like Chinese especially when they talk about Chinese food, sports and Japanese AV. "China-friendly" & "China-unfriendly" is complicated, but better than DPRK.

The problem is North Korea in despair with nukes.

I like how many posters predict that Japan will start a new war tomorrow.

1st of all the resolution hasn't been passed yet and thus is not effective. 2nd Japan has a very expensive/well equipped military but the personal is smallish and has no combat experience.

There are way bigger armies than Japan like China, India, Russiua, etc.

Japan does NOT have the means and will to start a war, this is from someone who served.

On one hand, China will show fierce opposition towards Abe administration, attacking it as a trouble-maker in the region. But, on the other hand, China wants to demonstrate its willingness to work with Japanese politicians and businesses that are seen as China-friendly. Increasingly, China seems willing to offer this special treatment toward anyone who opposes Abe, especially Japanese pacifists and constitutionalists who oppose reinterpreting the restrictions on Japan’s use of military force. In a sense, China is trying to go over Abe’s head by appealing directly the the majority of Japanese people. This is a tough sell, considering that over 90 percent of Japanese have a negative impression of China, but that apparently won’t stop China from trying.

This means also Japan is going to defend South Korea if they get attacked?? What do people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki think about the new policy as they had to pay the price for people with similar mindset as Abe decades ago?

@MikeH

Though I don't agree with you, your statement is interesting to me because my feeling is that you are not the only one who think so. Even some Americans don't like current Japan's move, the move which actually takes place as reinforcement on US led initiative to prevent big war in Asia Pacific.

Can you tell me what makes you think that Japan will start the next war? If Japan starts the next war, why Japan would do that? What would become the trigger of the war? I can think of anti Japan ideology and sentiment of some people I can find here but I don't mind that kind. What is the realistic logical reason to believe Japan is going to start a war from your viewpoint?

Japan will start the next war very soon in Asia ... mark my words! People who are supporting this collective self - defense change do not like the peace in this world. All the people who have commented as this is a good move by Abe will regret it later. Innocent people will die. God help us all

jerseyboyJul. 02, 2014 - 05:01AM JST said "as an American I'm appalled that Japan wants to go down the same road George W. and his cohorts did -- "protecting vital __ interests" -- to get involved in conflicts that simply cost lots of money, lives, and leads to nothing -- Think Iraq."

OK, jerseyboy, in that case, as an American, how do you protect American military forces, men and women in Guam and Pearl Harbor from DPRK missiles without Japan's intercepting DPRK missile attack on USA which just became possible by Abe's decision yesterday? Or would you withdraw from Guam and Hawaii to prevent attack from DPRK? Or do you trust that DPRK won't do anything bad during the course of their going down? Or are you blind?

As an American it's appalling to read all the passive comments about...

Philly -- as an American I'm appalled that Japan wants to go down the same road George W. and his cohorts did -- "protecting vital __ interests" -- to get involved in conflicts that simply cost lots of money, lives, and leads to nothing -- Think Iraq.

What I saw is that Abe's inrational decision is a dangerous action which will possiblely lead to a big conflict between Japan and other asian countries. If Japan knows how to respect the precious peace in Asian region, maybe the war can be avoid. Whatever the thing that China has done to Japan, this event is certainly Japan's fault.

I wonder when will Asia have a war. Things are so tense at the moment between Japan and China as well as Korea. This collective self-defense will certainly start a war in Asia and the Asian economy will collapse. The US and Europe will benefit by this change.

tokyodoumoJul. 02, 2014 - 01:46AM JST

"This is the same type of contradiction he pulled when he said going to Yasukuni Shrine against fierce protest was to promote peace in the region when in fact he was creating nothing but distress and animosity among the neighbors."

Just wanted to point out one thing. Japan is a free country, and it is a law-governed country. Japan's law defines freedom of religion. Japan's law also defines what are "religions" because organizations of other purpose tend to call themselves "religion". Yakusuni is a religion in Japan under Japan's law created by the representatives of Japanese people and the system is governed by Japanese government. Demanding someone, whatever his or her ｓecular occupation is, to do a specific religious act or demanding not to do it is unthinkable. It's like "you shouldn't go to Christian church! remember crusade and Inquisition!" or "you can't go to synagogue that's to justify killing of Christ!" or even "don't go to mosque! remember 911?" this much stupid, It is anti freedom ideology, cheap political maneuver or simple fanatic stupidity. 　

Japan, a belligerent once nation again!

PhillyStreetzPACJul. 01, 2014 - 11:39PM JST

" Is it too much to ask that they share the risks, rewards, and duties of peace."

I agree to this part of your post. Why is Japan important for the USA? because Japan is on the position to shoot down DPRK nuke missiles targeting Guam and Hawaii. And when we shoot them down, then Japan itself will become their target of nukes. Quite a risk that we are taking.

ABE SAYS: "There is a misunderstanding that Japan will be involved in war in an effort to defend a foreign country. But this is impossible. It will be strictly a defensive measure to defend our people. There will be no change at all in our principle NOT TO ALLOW DISPATCH OF FORCES ABROAD."

This is the same type of contradiction he pulled when he said going to Yasukuni Shrine against fierce protest was to promote peace in the region when in fact he was creating nothing but distress and animosity among the neighbors. Why in the World do you he needed to abolish Article 9 if you he is NOT GOING TO ALLOW DISPATCH OF FORCES ABROAD. MR ABE is a consummate politician who knows what to say and what not to say to get what he wants. Japan's re-armament will not be just for self defense and soon or later it will be dispatched abroad. Doing away with Article 9 MR ABE has exponentially increased the chance of Japan getting involved in a War and that is the truth.

It is surprising to see here that many people seems to think Abe is more fanatic nationalist than the leaders of China or DPRK. Truth is even Obama and most of ordinary American politicians are much more nationalistic than Abe when it comes to American policy. LDP and Abe would be considered super liberal if they were politicians in America. Also, no one here seems to know why Abe's defense policy is important for the USA and rest of the world. You don't understand why whole the world except China and 2 Koreas support Abe's national security policy.

@PhillyStreetzPACJUL. 01, 2014 - 11:39PM JST As an American it's appalling to read all the passive comments about ....70 yrs of peace, American wars....yet we have have 50,000 American military personnel (costing USA taxpayers billions yearly) stationed to "protect your sovereignty and your kids, not ours". China isn't threatening "to put it's foot on our America's neck, but rather Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, i.e.... Southeast Asia". Your 70 years of peace ---at USA TAXPAYERS EXPENSES ---has resulted in great prosperity for the country. The Japanese people would have the world to believe that they are honorable people. Is it too much to ask that they share the risks, rewards, and duties of peace.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Japan has been paying USA every year to let its troops stay in Japan. Last year, over $ 2 billion.

USA demanded that Japan keep this level of payment, NO USA TAX PAYERS EXPENSES.

An unconstitutional Prime Minister following unconstitutional processes to violate the constitution.

Does anyone else see a pattern?

Great work, Prime Minister Abe. This is absolutely fantastic news for every nation who values peace and stability in Asia.

The doom and gloomers who think this is the beginning of the end should really get some perspective.

Your 70 years of peace ---at USA TAXPAYERS EXPENSES

1) It's not like anyone asked the US to be here 2) It's at the Japanese taxpayer's expense

overchan,

Japan elected Abe.

No, Japan didn't elect Abe. Some Japanese people elected the a party called the "LDP" (this stands for Liberal Democratic Party - a misnomer since it is neither liberal nor democratic).

I think you are confusing the Japanese system of government with the American.

Abe is the Prime Minister of Japan, not the President.

Lifting the ban on collective self-defense casts a soft shadow over another much more sinister plan by the Abe cabinet to lift all current restrictions on the manufacturing of military equipment (arms) for export. The old-line industrial behemoths of Japan are poised to shift idled manufacuturing capacity towards military equipment (arms) for sales to resource rich (but socially and politically unstable) African nations, geostrategically important SouthEastAsian nations (think Myanmar and Indonesia) and Turkey (Abe's pal Erdogan). All this deal flow will be backed by export credits - a Japanese government credit guarantee of the buyer country promise to pay. This is the 3rd arrow - missile actually - of Abenomics (a military-industrial-complex led export recovery program).

As an American it's appalling to read all the passive comments about ....70 yrs of peace, American wars....yet we have have 50,000 American military personnel (costing USA taxpayers billions yearly) stationed to "protect your sovereignty and your kids, not ours". China isn't threatening "to put it's foot on our America's neck, but rather Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, i.e.... Southeast Asia". Your 70 years of peace ---at USA TAXPAYERS EXPENSES ---has resulted in great prosperity for the country. The Japanese people would have the world to believe that they are honorable people. Is it too much to ask that they share the risks, rewards, and duties of peace.

The Supreme Court must address this at once! It is solely the job of the Supreme Court to interpret the constitution! When politicians interpret the constitution, the rules of law is dead and bad things happen.

Japan elected Abe. He understands better how world works than the majority of the people. Most people in the world always argue againsta their leaders.

Reinterpreting of war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution and highjacking Japanese general public’s will, Abe risky gamble may backfire soon.

Like Bush ‘patriotic’ admin, Abe’s ultra-nationalistic admin would be remembered in the history as the government that leads Japanese into harm’s way, in turn, accelerate Japan’s diminishing influence and relevance in the international theater when dust settles.

The reality is that Japan alone has no chance to win any major war givening japan's military might and economic capacity let alone its graying demographic and already- rusheing-debt. Would the US sacrifice its economy and shed blood for Japan's ambition forits "glory day", that wil be a big question mark. If anyone pays attnetion to the history, one would realize the Vietnam, Iraq and afghan would make any American president hesitate to commit American troops to a large scaled and lasting war.

Abe'smissguided belief and delution will meet with a reality check .

Jay Wilson,

Finally, Japqn will be able to stand up to China, the Koreas, Russia and anyone else who becomes aggressive without having to rely on the US for protection.

I don't think it's about Japan standing up to China, Martians, the Bogeyman or any other figment of the imagination.

The USA (the country that pulls Abe's strings) has bitten off MUCH more than it can chew in the Middle East and wants a hand creating a similar dog's breakfast in Asia.

"Japan, fighting alongside its American brothers, making the world safe for democracy!"

What a joke!

Strangerland, what is the second C in CCP? Does it represent Charitable or Communist?

Of course it means communist. But the name is irrelevant, it's the actions that define the state. And China is most definitely not a communist state.

If you disagree, then you must think North Korea is a democratic state, correct? After all, it's official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Finally, Japqn will be able to stand up to China, the Koreas, Russia and anyone else who becomes aggressive without having to rely on the US for protection. This will also make China sit up and take notice that they can no longer bully Japan

As we wait to see how Japanese citizens react and deal with this change in policy, it will be just as interesting to watch how other countries receive this reversal in policy. Tensions will certainly rise in the east.

“There is a misunderstanding that Japan will be involved in war in an effort to defend a foreign country. But this is impossible.

The change, the most dramatic shift in defense policy since Japan set up its postwar armed forces exactly 60 years ago, will significantly widen Japan’s military options by ending the ban on exercising “collective self-defense”, or aiding a friendly country under attack.

This is why I am skeptical about this change. The two above statements are diametrically opposed to each other. Abe says it will be "impossible" for Japan to "be involved in war in an effort to defend a foreign country", while the second one says just the opposite. And since Japanese leaders have a history of saying one thing, and doing another, I think Japan has just started down that slippery slope.

I'll give an example. I carry a consealed pistol in my waist. ....... I dont feel soo weak.

If you didn't feel so weak in the first place you wouldn't need the weapon in the second.

thats how Abe thinks.

So Abe feels weak too.

Like a man with a hammer in his hand sees every problem as an opportunity to knock a nail in, a man with military might at his command sees every problem as an opportunity for 'collective self-defence'.

I suppose now would be a good time to study being an undertaker. They make fantastic money due to the collateral damage of war. The Soka Gakkai can now stop their Buddhist pretense as their political party backed this with Abe and his band of drooling fools. Investing in the defense industry will be a wise move, it is only a matter of time before these "honest" trolls of the LDP set up a scenario to use their new power to "defend" Japan. When people get bored they can always fight each other. Same for nations I suppose. Just one question though: Are the mommies who voted for Abe ready to see their sons march off to war to fight for the behind the scenes unelected geezers who actually run the show here in uniquely unique Nippon? Are the mommies who voted for Abe ready to attend their son's funeral after never being able to say good bye? Are their daddies ready to pay for their ceremonies? God help the child as Billie Holiday sang.

FizzBit,

The Japanese people would much prefer dessert warfare.

It certainly would be much better if they were going to sling ice creams and chocolate cake at each other, but I think Abe is hoping to use real bombs, real bullets and real dying alone in a pool of blood in a ditch somewhere.

For what????

The most terrifying sentence in the entire article above: "Precisely how the change might work in practice remains unclear...."

Shouldn't this have been worked out in EXTREME detail BEFORE the resolution was passed? People's lives are at stake here, so I would have expected some concrete content be debated before the decision was made. I think this sentence says volumes.

“China opposes the Japanese fabricating the China threat to promote its domestic political agenda,” Chinese Foreign Ministery spokesman Hong Lei told a news conference in Beijing. “We demand that Japan respect the reasonable security concerns of its Asian neighbors and prudently handle the relevant matter.”

Oh god this is just comedy gold! Surely the Chinese politicians can't be this stupid in thinking that we the world would believe this garbage that they sprout? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

Abe should issue when and how Japan stops fighting.

I'll give an example. I carry a consealed pistol in my waist. Maybe it wont stop someone from robbing me. But still I have a little more chance of sucess. I dont feel soo weak. Maybe is psycological but thats how Abe thinks. Japan wont engage against its neighbors but he believes Japan has to be prepared.

gsgsgs

I'm with ya brother! I knew from day one after 9/11 that Bush would be attacking Iraq. No surprises there. AND I knew that they would lie if they had to. I made sure I watched Powell live at the UN do his stump speech.

As far as China, well Tibet and India to name a couple. Not sure if t's true or not, but I read that Blackwater (new name now) is training Chinese soldiers for desert (African) warfare. The Japanese people would much prefer dessert warfare. l I know they are building an island out of an Atoll in the South China Sea very close to Indonesia and the Philippines (air strip?).

But with a population so utterly brain washed like China (some, not all) and their new territorial claims, just like I knew Bush would go into Iraq, sooner or later China is going to want to test world opinion.

Good to read all these highly-articulate, mature posts from people who've been through the horror of war and know exactly what they're talking about....

****NOW= JAPAN CAN STAN UP ====== BRAVO LONG LIVE =JAPAN =========

AManInJapan

Who in Japan, apart from Abe, really wants this? Same for casinos. It should be put to the people of Japan using a referendum. Doesn't Abe have more important things to be working on, or is this destined to be his legacy?

It was put to the vote Abe campaigned on this issue and others and the people voted for Abe.

This is a good thing for Japan to enable it to take a more involved role in the world and asia, keeping china in check aiding its friendly neighbours and showing that while the USA is becoming less and less willing to use its military japan can and should stand up for itself, 70 years of being the pacifist while china builds it military and shows others it will take what it wants by force and you still expect japan to be the diminutive humble apologising character.

I think the message being sent to China is now Loud and Clear: "BRING IT ON!"

seems like everything in this puzzle has now been put together. the next move will probably be building arms? hopefully not. maybe the presence of the US in Asia will now be more needed than ever. the two asian powers might need to be regularly checked one way or another.

M3m3m3

Explain how, in detail please.

1)Existential threat: if NK takes SK, Japan is likely next given past rhetoric. 2) many japanese live in SK, and there are also many Japanese companies there. Add economic fallout to that. 3) if NK attacks, there is no reason to assume diplomacy will work.

Strangerland, what is the second C in CCP? Does it represent Charitable or Communist?

Abe cabinet's approval rates will fall down without stopping.

Wow don't you listen to your own people??!!

There are clearly two sides to this argument, which I’ll try to summarize here.

Pro Art 9 Reinterpretation. Japan has for 70 years maintained a peaceful presence in the world – it has not attacked, invaded or resorted to military action to resolve any international dispute – a record perhaps unmatched by any other major power. While previously Japan faced a threat from only the old Soviet Union, today it faces threats from multiple countries; an unstable and nuclear armed NKorea, a resurgent Russia, and perhaps most significantly, a bellicose, nationalistic China, aggressively expanding its borders through both military and economic coercion. China in particular, while criticizing Japan, has in the past 70 years engaged in wars in Korea and had major border military actions with India and Vietnam, let alone its invasion and subjugation of Tibet. Times, and threats, have changed – Japan needs to adapt to the times to adequately secure its sovereignty.

Anti Atr 9 Reinterpretation. Japan has for 70 years maintained a peaceful presence in the world – it has not attacked, invaded or resorted to military action to resolve any international dispute – a record perhaps unmatched by any other major power – all due to Japan’s peace constitution imposed upon the country after WWII. This peace constitution helped Japan rise from mere ashes in 1945, to the second strongest economy in the world by the 1990s – and the third largest today. Changing this constitution (calling it a reinterpretation or not) jeopardizes this legacy of peace and economic success, and most importantly, opens the door to a more militarily resurgent Japan, something the past has taught us can have grave consequences.

I think both these arguments are persuasive, but if forced to choose, I’d side with the Pro Art 9 reinterpretation – though its certainly not a clear “one over the other” (it was a 60/40 for me) - and while supporting the reinterpretation, I'd watch like a hawk (no pun intended) to make sure the far right wing nuts (Ishihara, Tamogani, etc.) remain a fringe group and do not gain influence or political power.

If the courts don't try and interfere Japan will be better off.....

If all goes well, Article 9 will surely go the way of the dinosaur and become extinct.

No matter how Abe glosses over it, he is dallying with the specter of war through a cheap scam but at the dear cost of the souls not only of his own but also of the entire Japanese nation," said an English language commentary by China's official Xinhua news agency.

Ah, the not so veiled threat from Communist China's mouthpiece. Communist China has pushed and pushed, now after all the pushing they have to contend with a tiger by the tail.

If only they would have played nice and not played the part of a bully.

If SK were attacked by the north, which is one of the most likely scenarios in the neighborhood, each of those three points would be satisfied.

Explain how, in detail please.

@m3m3m3

If SK were attacked by the north, which is one of the most likely scenarios in the neighborhood, each of those three points would be satisfied.

Under the current system, japan would be limited to providing tacit support to American troops.

From today Japan can enter into mutual defence treaties. I can't see a downside to that.

@hokkaidoguy

I think you misunderstand the issue. The JSDF would still be barred from participating in any of these conflicts you describe under Abe's new interpretation. The point is that the re-interpretation is so seemingly limited and pointless that the real question is whether Abe will faithfully adhere to his own provisos or whether he will simply ignore them or interpret every conflict around the world as posing a threat to Japan.

Under the new interpretation, JSDF could not participate in collective self defence unless all 3 conditions are met:

A.) The Japanese government is faced with an existential threat

B.) There is a clear and immediate danger that Japanese peoples lives, liberty or pursuit of happiness is under threat

C.) There is no other alternative other than military force.

There is no single historical conflict in modern times that Japan has faced where all 3 of these conditions have ever been met. I doubt Abe's has no intention to adhering to these provisos and we will soon be involved in every international conflict that the US is involved in.

Disillusioned; actually, Japan canNOT defend itself. The military is far too small to do anything but moderately inconvenience a serious threat from communist China.

This was not my post!!! It was written by, Vast Right-Wing Conspirator

Japan can quite freely defend itself under article 9. It cannot, however, attack without provocation. Abe and his cronies keep stating the reason they want to change it is so Japan can help other nations in battles, but we all know that, as soon as it is passed there will be a major offensive base set up on or near the Sengoku islands and they will start lobbing shells at passing Chinese ships and planes.

M3m3m3

Can anyone name one conflict in the past 300 years that would satisfy the provisos but not be covered by the current accepted JSDF mandate? .... whats that? No? I didn't think you could.

Canada's entry to ww1, ww2, the Korean War, Gulf War, Kosovo and Afghanistan would have been impossible under the current JSDF mandate.

The same can be said of every other country that entered into those conflicts despite not being directly attacked, but it's Canada day so I'll leave it at that.

War is a good business for investors in a short term of course

Abe wants more cannon fodder for his masters. Abe uses "rewrite constitution". It's super effective.

@Disillusioned, living up to your posting name a little there, Japan, as others have posted, is very capable of defending itself, military hardware right at the forefront of modern and a very highly trained personnel.

These steps into war-access are worrying, not so much democracy being utilised here, it should at the very least be put to a vote...

@Vast Right-Wing Conspirator

actually, Japan canNOT defend itself. The military is far too small to do anything

Japan's military budget is one of the world's highest with overall spending surpassing the entire GDP of some Asian countries. The SDF is large, modern and certainly capable of defending itself. To say otherwise suggests a real lack of knowledge.

Disillusioned; actually, Japan canNOT defend itself. The military is far too small to do anything but moderately inconvenience a serious threat from communist China.

1) China is not communist 2) Japan has the second most powerful navy in the world.

Disillusioned; actually, Japan canNOT defend itself. The military is far too small to do anything but moderately inconvenience a serious threat from communist China. Having friends, especially friends with big guns, is one way to preserve your freedom.

Let's not forget how this is gonna open up the weapons bidness for the country. Good or bad?

I have to agree with some posters here, China is out of control and needs to checked. Is this the only way? Well, factoring in human nature and how little us talking monkeys have progressed, yep!

Abe will do Anything the War Regime in Washington demands. They wanted this and they got it. Abe is another Puppet of Washington.These Politicos are Sociopaths and Psychopaths in Suits that cab take a country to War over false reasons and the people have no say.

@tinawatanabe

Scraping Art.9 has been the dream of the most nationalistic fringes of the LDP since the constitution was promulgated. Abe is the first PM from that ultra nationlist wing and he couldn't resist attempting this at the first opportunity. Of course he had to settle on a re-interpretation rather than repeal precisely because the majority of people are against any change. Unfortunately for Abe, the carefully crafted, (and according to the courts unconstitutional), 3 to 1 voting weight disparity that LDP rural voters enjoy over urban voters wouldn't help in a 'one person one vote' national referendum.

Japan needs to say "Namennayo" to all foreigners who are always telling Japanese how to behave

So your definition of foreigners doesn't seem to include the United States? The US is supporting and encouraging Abe's move, the majority of Japanese people do not.

Conservatives say the constitution’s Article 9 has excessively restricted Japan’s ability to defend itself

No it hasn't! Not in the slightest way! Japan is fully capable of defending itself under the current status of article 9. The only thing they can't do is, assert themselves! Mark my words, as soon as this goes through there will be a strike force set up on those specks of rock near Taiwan and they will have orders to shoot at any ship or plane that comes within range. The changes to article 9 have nothing to do with collective defense. It's about collective assertion. Yeah, the US has been pushing for Japan to help them and the Japanese are using it as slingshot to start a war with China.

This is Abe's way of somehow halting Japan's decline in standing in the world. In Asia too Japan is being eclipsed by the rise of China. Getting involved in Americas wars isn't going to help the country any.

This means that if anyone is silly enough to illuminate Japanese navy vessels with a fire-control radar will be eating a missile courtesy of Toshiba.

The 3 provisos that must be met under the new interpretation will not be satistfied in 99.99999% of cases. It begs the question why they would bother with this unless Abe is intending to deploy the JSDF in cases where the provisos are not satisfied, or to interpret direct threats to Japan in a ridiculouly broad manner.

Can anyone name one conflict in the past 300 years that would satisfy the provisos but not be covered by the current accepted JSDF mandate? .... whats that? No? I didn't think you could.

This has been on the LDP's wishlist since 1947. Don't be naive, it would have happened irregardless.

Do you honestly believe just wishes can realize this kind of thing that didn't happen for as long as 70 years? I don't think Oldman_13 is the one who is naive.

This is a matter of life and death for the Japanese nation and people. Japan must throw aside all dogmatism, fanaticism and sense of privilege and must study this problem with great seriousness.

Interestingly, his collective self defence proposal and Abe's proposal are nearly identical.

China does not follow the tenets of communism, and therefore is not a communist state.

Shameless Commie China instigated the problems in the region. Abe is right .....

This is not "easing." This is violating. Once the Abe-LDP-Komeito gang have successfully subverted the Constitution in committee who will ever trust Japan again. Even those who wanted this won't.

We have had 70 years of peace. Your children and maybe yourself now stand a good chance of dying in other people's wars.

Imagine Japan on a permanent war footing. Just ask any American what that is like.

oldman-13

As to who has sown what and as to who has to reap, don't you think you are being excessively premature, overly dramatic and overly simplistic about a complex and nuanced situation? But then thats how nationalists generally tend to be regardless of the nations they happen to be praising or deriding.

And who knows how things could end? It could end very badly for everyone. So be careful of premature biblical pronouncements lest they come bouncing back to you.

@oldman_13

This has been on the LDP's wishlist since 1947. Don't be naive, it would have happened irregardless.

Who in Japan, apart from Abe, really wants this? Same for casinos. It should be put to the people of Japan using a referendum. Doesn't Abe have more important things to be working on, or is this destined to be his legacy?

You reap what you sow China (and other anti Japan nationalists).

Year after year of hatred and antagonizing Japan and its citizens have come to this.

Don't think that incidents like the Chi-comm government approving the riots in China a few years ago where Japanese citizens were brutally assaulted and Japanese businesses destroyed went unnoticed. Don't think that the non stop hostilities directed at Japan over islands issues and other irrelevancies the past years went unnoticed.

If the anti Japan nationalists had more decency, it would never have come to this.

Every entity has a breaking point, when enough is enough.

Abe should finish this paper work fast and start working on 3rd Arrow of Abenomics.