The Remilitarization of Japan
The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recently said that he wants his country’s “pacifist” constitution revised and put in place a new version in effect by 2020 which would facilitate the “remilitarization” of the Japan has raised the eyebrows of the wartime enemies of Japan viz. China and South Korea.
Background Notes
The Constitution of Japan was rewritten in 1947 following the country’s formal surrender to the allied forces of the Second World War in 1945. One of the key players in the framing of the Constitution was the United States. The price demanded for the harms caused by Japan was more than mere paying of reparations to the affected countries like China and South Korea. The entire political system of Japan was changed as a price, which led to the removal of Emperor Hirohito as executive head of the State. A provision was then inserted in the Constitution of Japan by virtue of Article 9, which has played a key role in compelling Japan to maintain a pacifist approach in the current world scenario.
Article 9 says as follows: “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 a means of settling international disputes. In order to achieve the above aim, 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.” This provision takes away a basic right of a sovereign nation to maintain arms at least for peaceful purposes. It is also an indication of foreign intervention in framing of the Constitution of a sovereign nation. Japan has however moved forward to build the Japan Self-Defense Forces for violation of this provision. It has assisted US in its operations in Iraq and also took part in operations in South Sudan. The current amendment will require two-thirds support from both the lower and upper Houses of the legislature or Diet.
Current Status
Amending this provision has been the biggest aim of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s career. He was once elected in 2006-07. But he had to resign owing to outspread criticism of his stand to continue deployment of Japanese contingency to Afghanistan. But then again he returned after a growth of China’s military muscle flexing and North Korea’s nuclear tests.
In 2014, Abe overturned a self-imposed arms embargo that was in operation since 1960. Now it is asserted that Japanese weapons will not be sold to countries where UN has imposed embargo like in North Korea and Iran or in a country torn by conflict, but Japan has a right to sell its weapons to countries where it pursues security interests like to Phillipines. It has also started a joint research with UK on air-to-air missile guiding capabilities. It has also signed a defense pact with Phillipines that shared a concern about China. The pact permits hardware selling and defense training. Japan has also increased its expenditure on defense in the budget of 2017. Some of the procurements aimed at for defense include amphibious assault vehicles made by BAE Systems, anti-submarine warfare helicopters, Boeing V-22 Osprey aircraft, Global Hawk drones, and tanker aircraft etc. In other words, there is a major focus on amphibious hardware. Training is also being provided named as ‘Respond to Attacks on Remote Islands.’ Iron First Drill is organized by US Marine Corps, a part of the annual amphibious training exercise.
Questions
What do you think of Japan’s Remilitarization?
This would depend on how we define remilitarization, how far Japan is willing and how far it is capable to do so. As of now, Japan has showed that its focus is on key defence capabilities which were either neglected or were previously covered by the United States. In my view, contrary to apprehensions of China and Korea, Japan is never going to bring its military back to the Empire of Japan (Dai Nippon Teikoku) days. There are several reasons for that:
Firstly, the economy of Japan does not seem to be capable of sustaining a military of the size and might of empire era. Secondly, it appears extremely unlikely to bring back conscription in Japan as it will bring back a lot of painful memories. Thirdly, United States does not appear to let loose strings to the extent it gets out of control, despite the fact that US has been supporting increased defense spending in Japan.
