Article 9

Issues | LAW OF THE LAND Jul 15, 2020

Is the Article 9 labyrinth merely academic?

by Colin P.A. Jones

Numerous creative theories have been read into the Constitution's no-war clause by scholars over the years.

National Jun 24, 2020

China asks Japan to maintain 'exclusively defense-oriented' policy

China on Wednesday asked Japan to maintain its "exclusively defense-oriented" policy under the war-renouncing Constitution, as some Japanese ruling lawmakers have called for Tokyo to acquire the ability to attack foreign bases. "Because of historical reasons, Japan's military security trends have always received the attention ...

National Jun 22, 2020

69% oppose change to Japanese Constitution's war-renouncing Article 9, poll shows

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed his eagerness to revise the article to add a provision that recognizes the Self-Defense Forces.

Commentary / Japan May 13, 2020

Now's not the time to debate constitutional revision

by Rintaro Nishimura

The government should focus on coming up with policies to help citizens weather the COVID-19 crisis.

National / Politics Mar 12, 2020

Coronavirus overshadows milestone as Abe marks 3,000 days in office

Abe is also battling against time as Tokyo is counting down to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.

Commentary / Japan Jan 29, 2020

Article 9, ittaika and Japan's liaison officer corps

by Michael MacArthur Bosack

The Constitution's Article 9 has shaped the SDF in ways that are deeper than most observers, analysts and policymakers realize.

National / Politics Dec 30, 2019

How socialism and the left wing failed in Japan

by Masahiko Fukada

Three decades ago, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Malta Summit signified the end of the Cold War and the defeat of left-wing forces, including the socialists and communists. The communists lost power in the East, and the socialist parties in the West ...

National / Media | MEDIA MIX Dec 28, 2019

Tetsu Nakamura's death in Afghanistan exposes a gap of perception in Japan

by Philip Brasor

Following the assassination of Dr. Tetsu Nakamura in Afghanistan earlier this month, the government of Afghanistan held a memorial ceremony for him as his body was delivered to the airplane that would take it out of the country. President Ashraf Ghani was one of ...

National / Politics Nov 21, 2019

Abe's push to change Japan's Constitution hits roadblock as parties scrap Diet discussion

by Sakura Murakami

LDP sources have said the party has all but given up hope of passing the bill this year, reports have said.

National / Politics Nov 20, 2019

Abe becomes Japan's longest-serving prime minister

by Sakura Murakami

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe became the nation’s longest serving prime minister on Wednesday, beating previous record holder Taro Katsura by having served for a total of 2,887 days.

National / Politics Aug 15, 2019

Head of Democratic Party for the People seeks constitutional debate not focused on Article 9

The opposition Democratic Party for the People wants to pursue discussions on constitutional reform but the discussion should not focus on the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's four-point proposal that includes changes to war-renouncing Article 9, party head Yuichiro Tamaki has said. In a recent interview, ...