Japan\'s Revolution?

[Hawkeye]

Some of you may well be aware that there has been increasing talk here in Japan about the Japanese constitution. The debate seems to have finally hit the mainstream and their is now open talk of remodelling the constitution. Not all of it mind you, just certain parts. Most notably the part about Japan's renunciation of agression. Members in the LDP, the ruling party, now want that restriction to be removed.

This has led to issues with several south east asian countries and for understandable reasons. My question is, what do you think?

Japan, a country of extremes.

[Anssi Hakkinen]

I have no problem with editing it so that it doesn't ban all warfare from Japan forever (like it does now), but I have a hard time understanding why someone would want to specifically include a clause that allows aggressive warfare. Maybe I need to do some research.

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"It is the absolute right of the State to supervise the formation of public opinion."
- Joseph Goebbels

[Toranaga sama]

I did hear before Koizumi was elected he wanted to at least increase the size of the military. Personally, I think we would need their help if China keeps acting up. If anyone didn't know, the twenty-somethings of China are as Time Magazine said "Dangerously Nationalistic".

[Yoshikazu Hojo]

Well it my be a suprise to some of you but I know for a fact that Japan has the second largest spending on defence after the USA.
While there are factions and some main stream parties who thrash around the idea of altering the constitution here in Japan it is is a toppic that is used to draw
attention away from more important issues in government. What do I think .... well I believe that this topic is used in Japanese politics to drum up support from the right wing groups and to reflect to the japanese people that the government is willing to reform. Yet as most governments talk of reform talk is all that it is and nothing ever gets done.
Japan is a soverign nation and should have the right to protect itself. Yet I think it needs to settle its issues with an apology for its past doings before it can move on to changing the constitution.

[Zen Blade]

Well,

as we all know, Japan's "defense" relies a lot upon the USA (or at least theoretically it does). However, depending on how things develop in the Far East, there may come the day when the USA doesn't care as much as it once did about japan.

A few years back, before the recent China incidents, people would tell you that the US and China were slowly becoming more buddy-buddy than the US and Japan (who were in a trade war and still are). I know at the time we talked about it in a political science class I had.

Personally, I would like them (the japanese) to become self-sufficient as far as defensive things go.
i.e. their "coast guard" should be a bit more powerful, as well as their air force. But, I wouldn't want to see them developing a greater ballistic missile technology or a significant ground force.

This being said, japan has very good technology, and if they wanted to, they could build a nuclear device and the missle to deliver it very quickly.

-Zen Blade

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Zen Blade Asai
Red Devil
Last of the RSG
Clan Tenki Council-Unity

[Hawkeye]

Perhaps I should be a little more clearer. When I said Renunciation of aggression, this is still the case. However, Japan wishes to be able to remove the limitations of defence only. An example of this is Japan offered to partol the south china seas to remove the pirate threat.. this has been applauded by other nations in the area... this would not be possible under the current constitution.

Japan, a country of extremes.

[Choco]

I think there is a little confusion here ....

What does EXACTLY means "renunciacion of agression"?

That can be interpreted in many ways and obviously that could be manipulated.

As far as I know (correct me if I am wrong please) The Japanese constitution bans the deployment of forces outside the Japanse territory.

But that is not necessarily lack of agression. With the current technology Japan perfectly could bomb China with misiles without "deploying" forces.

On the other side it is possible to say that deploy forces outside Japan doesn't mean always agression. Japan could deploy forces in international areas with a defensive purpose.

As I understand "agression" means that you can ATTACK. In other words Japan would be able for example: declare war on China with or without a "valid" reason and send forces to invade the mainland and engage in operations with not defensive purpose.

That is what I understand for "agression" perhaps it is the tranlation or the interpretation what is confusing me.

[Hawkeye]

Choco: What does EXACTLY means "renunciacion of agression"?

I think in this case you are right, it basically means to attack, whether one has a valid reason or not.. remember to the Japanese leadership at the time of WWII their reason was valid enough.

Japan wishes to be able to attack if attacked and this would entail the renunciation of aggression... at least that is how I understand it.

The fact is that Japan wants to re-examine its role within the Japan-U.S. alliance. This has especially become apparant over the alleged rape in Okinawa.. all this comes into play when they look at their constitution.

Japan, a country of extremes.

[Doragon_Ajidrik]

Well its up to the people of Japan how they want to shape their constitution. If they want a full time military, a large miliatry force, go for it. Its a soveriegn nation.

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Honor to Clan Doragon
www.doragon.cjb.net (http://www.doragon.cjb.net)

[Hawkeye]

Yeah, Japan is a sovereign nation. I think they should be allowed to have their own constitution, written by themselves for themselves.. But, I also think they have not come to terms with their part in WWII... and until they do this rearming, for lack of a better phrase, will be a touchy issue in South East Asia.

Japan, a country of extremes.

[Toranaga sama]

that's right... Southeast Asia will hate to see Japan build up it's military. There are huge conflicts rising between Korea and others with Japan on textbooks. I think neighboring nations would feel a little scared if Japan would rearm themselves, and a little pissed at America for letting them do it. But I say again, we need a strong partner if China keeps their shit up (ie Taiwan, etc).

[Choco]

Problem here is that there is that although Japan is an independent nation it is not like it is an isolated nation. Japan's actions will repercute in the whole asian continent.

Sure Japan has the right as a soberan nation to decide to change the constitution and build up its army.

BUT the surrounding nations: China, Korea, etc as INDEPENDENT nations too have the right to get freaking paranoid about it and start building up their armies too http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/wink.gif

Unfrotunately in historic terms Japan has not exactly a peaceful reputation, therefore it is understandable that other conutries feel suspicion about a strong Japanese army http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif