Japan to Ease Restrictions on its Military
The conservative government in Japan has decided to change the official interpretation, or understanding, of the country’s anti-war Constitution. Some observers are calling the proposal the biggest change in meaning since the constitution took effect 67 years ago. United States officials wrote the document following Japan’s surrender at the end of World War II.
Some Japanese and people in other nations oppose the change. The opposition is especially strong in the areas that suffered from Japanese colonial rule in the first half of the 20th century.
But Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is defending his effort to change the meaning of Article 9 of the Constitution, which says Japan will not make war.
The cabinet approved the change last week. It would give Japan the right to exercise what is being called “collective self-defense.”
The prime minister spoke to reporters about the change. He said some people mistakenly believe it means Japan could become involved in a war to help other countries.
Mr. Abe says the reinterpretation of the 1947 Constitution would only permit what he calls “the minimum necessary measures for our self-defense.”
If Japanese lawmakers agree, the move will permit Japan’s armed forces to rescue foreign or United Nations peacekeepers if attacked. And Japanese forces would be able to expand the use of their weapons. But the government says even with the change, Japanese troops would not be permitted to go to areas of conflict.
A majority in both houses of Japan’s parliament has to approve the changes for them to take effect. The governing Liberal Democratic Party has a strong majority in the lower house and controls the upper house with the support of a coalition partner.
Recent public opinion surveys showed that at least half of those Japanese questioned oppose a stronger military.
