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 ...
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 ...
Is 'proactive peace' just a new term for war?
"Have you ever heard the roar of a jet fighter?" Kiyokatsu Kikuchi has. "No words can describe it. When they're flying directly over my house it feels like my head's being split open." For 40 years this has been going on. Kikuchi, 67, lives near the ...
Prince Akishino airs anti-war convictions ahead of 49th birthday
After listening to his parents’ words, Prince Akishino is convinced wars should never be fought again.
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.
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.
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. "Our position is that the discussions should be held ...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
