This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/16/world/asia/japan-moves-to-scale-back-postwar-restrictions-on-the-use-of-military-power.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Japan Moves to Scale Back Postwar Restrictions on the Use of Military Power Japan Moves to Scale Back Postwar Restrictions on the Use of Military Power
(4 months later)
PUSAN, South Korea — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may be about to take one of his biggest steps yet to nudge Japan away from its postwar pacifism after a government advisory panel recommended Thursday that constitutional restrictions on the military be eased to allow Japanese forces to come to the aid of allied nations under attack. PUSAN, South Korea — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may be about to take one of his biggest steps yet to nudge Japan away from its postwar pacifism after a government advisory panel recommended Thursday that constitutional restrictions on the military be eased to allow Japanese forces to come to the aid of allied nations under attack.
The panel, which was appointed by the Abe government, called on Japan to adopt a new legal interpretation of its war-renouncing Constitution that would permit an expanded role for its military, the Self-Defense Forces. Those forces have been strictly limited to protecting Japan’s own territory and people since they were created soon after World War II.The panel, which was appointed by the Abe government, called on Japan to adopt a new legal interpretation of its war-renouncing Constitution that would permit an expanded role for its military, the Self-Defense Forces. Those forces have been strictly limited to protecting Japan’s own territory and people since they were created soon after World War II.
The reinterpretation would allow Japanese armed forces to act in limited cases even when Japan is not at risk, such as by shooting down a North Korean missile headed toward the United States, something it cannot legally do now. The proposed change would also allow Japanese forces to play a larger role in United Nations peacekeeping operations, the panel said. Though Japan has sent troops to peacekeeping operations since 1992, they act under severe constraints.The reinterpretation would allow Japanese armed forces to act in limited cases even when Japan is not at risk, such as by shooting down a North Korean missile headed toward the United States, something it cannot legally do now. The proposed change would also allow Japanese forces to play a larger role in United Nations peacekeeping operations, the panel said. Though Japan has sent troops to peacekeeping operations since 1992, they act under severe constraints.
If accepted, it would represent a fundamental shift in the stance of Japan’s military.If accepted, it would represent a fundamental shift in the stance of Japan’s military.
While Mr. Abe immediately voiced his support, the recommendations will now be debated within his governing coalition, where they face opposition from a small Buddhist party. That makes it unclear whether the proposals would be watered down before they could be adopted by the cabinet.While Mr. Abe immediately voiced his support, the recommendations will now be debated within his governing coalition, where they face opposition from a small Buddhist party. That makes it unclear whether the proposals would be watered down before they could be adopted by the cabinet.
Polls have also shown broad opposition in Japan, with many people concerned that the nationalistic Mr. Abe could use the proposed changes as a step toward dismantling Japan’s postwar Constitution and its rejection of war.Polls have also shown broad opposition in Japan, with many people concerned that the nationalistic Mr. Abe could use the proposed changes as a step toward dismantling Japan’s postwar Constitution and its rejection of war.
“This will stretch Article 9 beyond reasonable and logical limits,” said Koichi Nakano, a political scientist at Sophia University in Tokyo, referring to the part of the Constitution that renounces war as a means of resolving disputes. “A lot of us are worried because this will not only negate Article 9, but the Constitution itself.”“This will stretch Article 9 beyond reasonable and logical limits,” said Koichi Nakano, a political scientist at Sophia University in Tokyo, referring to the part of the Constitution that renounces war as a means of resolving disputes. “A lot of us are worried because this will not only negate Article 9, but the Constitution itself.”
Mr. Abe said the changes were needed to enable Japan to respond to an increasingly assertive China and a nuclear-armed North Korea by building closer security ties with the United States and forming military alliances with democratic nations like Australia and India. He also rejected criticism that the changes would drag Japan into conflict.Mr. Abe said the changes were needed to enable Japan to respond to an increasingly assertive China and a nuclear-armed North Korea by building closer security ties with the United States and forming military alliances with democratic nations like Australia and India. He also rejected criticism that the changes would drag Japan into conflict.
In a televised speech, Mr. Abe also said that a stronger military would help ensure the peace by allowing Japan to defend itself, and contribute to regional stability, a doctrine that he has called “proactive pacifism.”In a televised speech, Mr. Abe also said that a stronger military would help ensure the peace by allowing Japan to defend itself, and contribute to regional stability, a doctrine that he has called “proactive pacifism.”
“There is a misunderstanding that Japan will once again become a country that wages war, but I absolutely reject this,” he said. “I will protect the principle of pacifism in the Constitution. By increasing our deterrence, our country will be able to avoid becoming caught up in war.”“There is a misunderstanding that Japan will once again become a country that wages war, but I absolutely reject this,” he said. “I will protect the principle of pacifism in the Constitution. By increasing our deterrence, our country will be able to avoid becoming caught up in war.”
The proposal follows steps by Mr. Abe that supporters say aim to bolster Japan’s security posture, but that critics say are also increasing the strength of the national government, something many Japanese have been wary of since their disastrous experience with military-led authoritarianism in World War II.The proposal follows steps by Mr. Abe that supporters say aim to bolster Japan’s security posture, but that critics say are also increasing the strength of the national government, something many Japanese have been wary of since their disastrous experience with military-led authoritarianism in World War II.
Since taking office in December 2012, Mr. Abe has pushed through an unpopular law to strengthen control of state secrets, created an American-style National Security Council and lifted Japan’s self-imposed restrictions on exporting weapons. In Europe this month, Mr. Abe agreed with the leaders of France and Britain to develop military equipment jointly.Since taking office in December 2012, Mr. Abe has pushed through an unpopular law to strengthen control of state secrets, created an American-style National Security Council and lifted Japan’s self-imposed restrictions on exporting weapons. In Europe this month, Mr. Abe agreed with the leaders of France and Britain to develop military equipment jointly.
A reinterpretation of the Constitution would go much further, allowing Japanese forces to act more like a “normal” military. To do this, the panel of academics called for embracing a legal concept called “collective self-defense” that views protecting an ally as an act of self-defense, which they said is permitted under the current Constitution.A reinterpretation of the Constitution would go much further, allowing Japanese forces to act more like a “normal” military. To do this, the panel of academics called for embracing a legal concept called “collective self-defense” that views protecting an ally as an act of self-defense, which they said is permitted under the current Constitution.
Political experts also said Mr. Abe may see collective self-defense as a way of preparing the public for scrapping Japan’s pacifist Constitution, which he calls an outdated document written by postwar American occupiers. But with polls showing public opinion firmly against altering the Constitution, experts said Mr. Abe had appeared to settle, at least for now, on reinterpreting it.Political experts also said Mr. Abe may see collective self-defense as a way of preparing the public for scrapping Japan’s pacifist Constitution, which he calls an outdated document written by postwar American occupiers. But with polls showing public opinion firmly against altering the Constitution, experts said Mr. Abe had appeared to settle, at least for now, on reinterpreting it.
“He is looking for a less time-consuming way,” Dr. Nakano said. “But it raises questions when the government of the day can change the Constitution simply by issuing a new interpretation.”“He is looking for a less time-consuming way,” Dr. Nakano said. “But it raises questions when the government of the day can change the Constitution simply by issuing a new interpretation.”