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National / History | THE LIVING PAST May 14, 2016

Has pacifism always been doomed to fail in Japan?

by Michael Hoffman

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

National / 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 ...

Is 'proactive peace' just a new term for war?

National / Media | BIG IN JAPAN May 30, 2015

Is 'proactive peace' just a new term for war?

by Michael Hoffman

"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

National Nov 30, 2014

Prince Akishino airs anti-war convictions ahead of 49th birthday

by Reiji Yoshida

After listening to his parents’ words, Prince Akishino is convinced wars should never be fought again.

National Jul 22, 2014

Japanese lawmakers say war-renouncing Constitution deserves Nobel Peace Prize

by Mizuho Aoki

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?

National / Politics | ANALYSIS Jul 1, 2014

Critics: What defines the conditions for military force?

by Reiji Yoshida and Ayako Mie

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.

National / 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. "Our position is that the discussions should be held ...

National / Politics Jun 17, 2014

Abe team presents draft statement on collective self-defense

by Ayako Mie

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

National / Politics | ANALYSIS Jun 10, 2014

Tensions mount over security talks

by Ayako Mie, Mizuho Aoki and Reiji Yoshida

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.

National / Politics Jun 3, 2014

Officials push to scrap limits on SDF missions

by Ayako Mie

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

National / Politics May 15, 2014

Panel lists steps for bypassing Article 9

by Ayako Mie and Reiji Yoshida

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

National / Politics | ANALYSIS May 15, 2014

Pacifism at a crossroads following panel's verdict

by Reiji Yoshida

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.

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