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. (2) 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.From the Guardian:
ARTICLE 9 of the Japanese Constitution via-U.S. Library of Congress
Japan considers constitutional changes to enhance defence capacity
Tokyo wants to play greater role in international peacekeeping and step up defence posture
A government panel will urge Japan to allow its military to help allies that come under attack, in a major reversal of the country's ban on collective defence under its pacifist constitution.
The panel on Tuesday discussed ways that Japan could improve its defence capability and said it would present its near-final draft recommendation in coming weeks, before its final report is expected after April.
The prime minister, Shinzo Abe, wants Japan to play a greater role in international peacekeeping and step up its defence posture, mainly because of potential military threats that Japan sees from China and North Korea. As China's influence rises and that of the United States fades in the region, Japan is trying to expand its defence alliance outside its "cornerstone" ties with Washington and has signed defence agreements with several other countries, including Britain and Australia.Previously:
The 14-member panel, headed by former ambassador to the US Shunji Yanai, says the revision is possible if the government alters its current interpretation of the war-renouncing constitution. Formal constitutional change involves high hurdles, though Abe eventually hopes to achieve that....MORE
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