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Japan hikes war risk with defense policy

Author  :  Bao Xiaqin     Source  :    Chinese Social Sciences Today     2014-07-31

On July 1, which marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF), the Japanese cabinet officially approved a resolution to allow the country to exercise collective self-defense by reinterpreting its pacifist constitution. The resolution enables Japan to use force alongside other national militaries even if it is not under attack in a move widely seen as a major overhaul of Japan's postwar security policy.

Japan’s current constitution, famous for its war-renouncing Article 9, bans the SDF engaging in fighting outside Japan. The decision by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet to lift the ban on collective self-defense by reinterpreting the constitution – a move opposed by more than half of all Japanese citizens – will not only have a deep impact on Japan itself and the Japan-US alliance, but also increase uncertainty in the Asia-Pacific region.

From a domestic point of view in Japan, lifting its ban on collective self-defense signals a major breakthrough in its progress to becoming a “normal country.” Since the end of Cold War, Japan’s national development strategy has transformed from valuing its economy over arms to balancing economic development with arms in an attempt to break through military limitations of the pacifist constitution.

The Peace Keeping Operations (PKO) Act passed by the Diet in 1992, Perimeter Situation Law passed in 1999 and Anti-Terrorism Special Measure Law passed after the Iraq War all hint at Tokyo’s attempt to realize its development strategy of “normalization” of Japanthrough gradual reforms.

Just over a year after he took office, Abe organized Japan’s National Security Council and issued Japan’s new National Defense Program Outline and Mid-term Defense Force Development Plan. Meanwhile, his government has revised its “three principles of arms exports” to “three principles of transferring defense equipment.” Now, it has rubber-stamped a resolution that to lifts its ban on collective self-defense.

Abe’s path of “normalization” of Japan has been resolutely opposed by domestic pacifists. Japan formed its anti-war pacifist agenda after its surrender in World War II, ensuring nearly 70 years of peace and prosperity.

On June 30, thousands of demonstrators gathered outside Abe’s official residence to protest his cabinet’s move to lift the ban on collective self-defense. On July 1 when the solution was approved by the cabinet, thousands took to the streets in protest and 149 local councils criticized the resolution.

Abe’s moves have taken the spotlight off other problems hindering Japan’s future development. Recently, two Japanese newspapers successively published polls on the exercise of collective self-defense. A May 12 poll by the Yomiuri Shimbun indicated that supporters for the exercise of collective self-defense accounted for 71 percent. However, a May 19 poll by the Mainichi Shimbun showed 54 percent of respondents opposed collective self-defense, while 39 percent supported lifting the ban.

The two newspapers’ poll results show that no consensus has been reached on lifting the ban on collective self-defense in Japan. More importantly, the Japanese cabinet’s move to rubber-stamp the resolution by means of reinterpreting the constitution has been slammed in public opinion polls.

Over the next few months, the Japanese government will embark on amending relevant laws to be passed by the Diet. Domestic debates and conflicts in Japan are expected to heat up during this period.

Abe’s move to lift the ban on collective self-defense marks a milestone in his administration. He has embarked on a path of consolidating the military for the purpose of recreating a “robust Japan.” However, people are worried about where Abe will lead 21st-century Japan based on his misunderstandings and attitudes towards past wars.

Abe’s latest move is by no means good news for world peace. It is instead best viewed as clearing obstacles standing in the way of Japan’s military expansion, which will heighten tension in East Asia.

As major powers of East Asia, China and Japan can surely deliver greater prosperity and development to the region if both sides peacefully co-exist. However, Japan’s policy towards China is full of hostility. Tokyo not only hypes up the “China threat” at home and abroad, but also cozies up to China’s neighboring countries under the aim of containing China.
China should be on high alert for Abe’s move to exercise the self-defense right for the purpose of promoting the so-called deterrent force of the SDF.

As Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei pointed out, Japan should respect Asian neighboring countries’ legitimate concerns for security and prudently address related issues instead of undermining China’s sovereignty, security interests, regional peace and stability.
China, as a country that has historically suffered greatly from Japan’s militaristic aggression, should unite Japan's people with insight and peaceful force to prevent Tokyo from again taking the destructive path of militarism.

 

The author is from the School of International Relations and Public Affairs at Fudan University.

 

The Chinese version appeared in Chinese Social Sciences Today, No. 616, July 4, 2014.
The Chinese link: http://sscp.cssn.cn/xkpd/pl_20172/201407/t20140704_1240213.html

 

 

Translated by Yu Hui
Revised by Tom Fearon

 

 

Editor: Chen Mirong

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