Tag - pacifism

 
 

PACIFISM

JAPAN / History / THE LIVING PAST
May 14, 2016
Has pacifism always been doomed to fail in Japan?
Japan had a pacifist "constitution" long before 1947, when the current one went into effect. It was issued in the year 604, its author so esteemed, in his own time and since, as to merit the posthumous name Shotoku Taishi (Crown Prince Sage-Virtue). His lifetime (574-622) spanned an early phase of Japan's astonishing leap from prehistory to history, barbarism to civilization, inchoate nature worship to the Buddhism and Confucianism it was just starting to absorb under the generously proffered, gratefully accepted tutelage of its vast and mighty neighbor, civilization itself to dazzled Japanese eyes — China.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 20, 2015
Gulf War trauma kicked off Japan's retreat from pacifism in '91
As the first Gulf War raged in February 1991, Ground Self-Defense Force Maj. Nozomu Yoshitomi was supposed to be conducting war games with U.S. officers at a military facility in Tokyo. But the Americans appeared distracted, watching the conflict live on CNN. On another TV, local news showed Japanese troops sculpting ice figures at a snow festival.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
May 30, 2015
Is 'proactive peace' just a new term for war?
"Have you ever heard the roar of a jet fighter?"
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 30, 2014
Prince Akishino airs anti-war convictions ahead of 49th birthday
Prince Akishino, second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, told a recent news conference that he is convinced wars should never be fought again and wants to keep the collective memories of World War II alive, according to the transcript released Sunday by the Imperial Household Agency.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 24, 2014
Abe's security strategy lacks strategic thinking
The Abe administration's first National Security Strategy basically continues the longtime status quo policy, indicating that the prime minister remains trapped in the ongoing domestic polemics of peace vs. self-defense.
JAPAN
Jul 22, 2014
Japanese lawmakers say war-renouncing Constitution deserves Nobel Peace Prize
A group of lawmakers callfor the Nobel Committee to award Article 9 of the Constitution this year's Nobel Peace Prize, saying it would greatly encourage Japanese people as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pushes to expand the nation's military capacity.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 1, 2014
Critics: What defines the conditions for military force?
Japan is at a historic crossroads in amending its long-held pacifist defense posture, a move that it may never reverse, and critics charge that the Abe administration's criteria for exercising the right to collective self-defense will prove ineffective.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 1, 2014
South Korea pushes Japan to dispel any concerns about past history
South Korea on Tuesday urged Japan to dispel concerns among neighboring countries about its militaristic past as it moves to reinterpret its Constitution in such a way as to allow for the exercise of collective self-defense.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 17, 2014
Abe team presents draft statement on collective self-defense
The Abe administration has tabled a draft statement that could allow Japan to effectively exercise the right to collective self-defense, but the ruling coalition remains divided.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 10, 2014
Tensions mount over security talks
A showdown looms as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pressures the ruling coalition to agree to overhaul Japan's pacifist security stance, possibly as early as Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 3, 2014
Officials push to scrap limits on SDF missions
The Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner, New Komeito, discuss whether to overhaul limits on the Self-Defense Forces.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 15, 2014
Panel lists steps for bypassing Article 9
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's security panel proposes revising Japan's interpretation of the Constitution to circumvent Article 9 and risk war in the name of collective self-defense.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
May 15, 2014
Pacifism at a crossroads following panel's verdict
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe takes a major stride toward his goal of ending Japan's pacifist stance and orders the ruling parties to open talks on legalizing collective self-defense.
JAPAN / Politics
May 15, 2014
Key Abe panel says Japan should exercise right of collective self-defense
A key security policy advisory panel to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe publicized its much-awaited final report on Thursday and — as expected — pushed for a change in the government's constitutional interpretation to allow Japan to use the right to collective self-defense, at least in some limited cases.
JAPAN / Politics
May 14, 2014
LDP, New Komeito to start talks on collective self-defense next week
Liberal Democratic Party Vice President Masahiko Komura pushes talks next week with coalition partner New Komeito on collective self-defense in hopes a decision on the issue is reflected in Japan-U.S. defense guidelines by the year's end.
JAPAN
May 9, 2014
Women's group launches bid to deny sex to men who are pro-war
A women's group campaigns against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to reinterpret the Constitution by urging women not to have sex with any man deemed pro-war.
JAPAN / Politics
May 3, 2014
Constitution Day feted, fought over
Japan's pacifist Constitution is at a crossroads as the 67th anniversary of its taking effect is celebrated around the nation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 3, 2014
Does pacifism need an update?
With Prime Minister Shinzo Abe increasingly bent on altering the pacifist Constitution, backers and foes of his revisionist agenda held gatherings on Constitution Day on Saturday to make their voices heard.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 19, 2014
Komeito fears defense drive
The deputy chief of New Komeito casts doubt on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's move to lift Japan's ban on using the right to collective self-defense.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Apr 12, 2014
Weapons for peace and proactive pacifism
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has relaxed curbs on arms exports and sees great market potential in Asia. In the Pacific Century, Asia's impressive economic growth is funding expanding defense budgets, making the region the most lucrative global arms market. Alas, it is also a region of significant flash points.

Longform

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.
For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on