Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday reiterated his administration's position that the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution on its own gives Japan the right to collective self-defense.
It's not necessary to amend the Constitution for Japan to engage in collective self-defense, Abe told lawmakers at the Upper House Budget Committee.
The right to use the Self-Defense Forces to defend allies and friendly nations that come under attack is a central pillar of Abe's "proactive pacifism." The prime minister asserts that Japan is at a disadvantage if forbidden to exercise this right at a time when it is being asked to play a more active role in maintaining global security.