politics

Ruling coalition finalizes bills to boost Japan's military role

55 Comments
By MARI YAMAGUCHI

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

55 Comments
Login to comment

Abe wants Japan to be an ordinary country meaning changing the peace constitution which says in Article 9 The Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. Reactions of the Japanese people are divided. People are realizing a country without mustle is not respected in view of recent troubles with China and Korea. They are getting wary of "melancholy of the impotents."

-2 ( +10 / -12 )

Thanks to China, militarization in Asia is unprecedented. Peaceful rise means gunboat diplomacy and they release propaganda saying they are the aggrieved country. Japan's militarization and US pivot is indeed the counterbalance to the new imperialists in Asia. Can you imagine if Japan stays passive? That is exactly what Beijing wants.

5 ( +15 / -10 )

We've seen this. It was the result of Chinese led agression towards southeast asia and their fast weaponization. Right now China is spending 5 times more money in weapons than Japan. Its the result of an atheist-neo-communist country. Almost like North Korea.

-9 ( +9 / -18 )

CrazyJoe, better to thank Abe for his contribution, in the near future you will see young Japanese soldiers die patriotically in a pathetic war just like the old days. There is a very slim possibility that China would attack Japan, but other neighbors might, the following countries come to mind: Russia, N.Korea, and S.Korea. And, you may be right “That is exactly what Beijing wants,” though other country can do the dirty job for her.

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

All the comments above me they are right I don't know why the thumb down? But anyways my opinion is war is a good business to move the economy some how in some sectors like medicine, factories, food, clothes and more, some companies will get benefits of this "War Money" in the short time, but in the long run will be catastrophic side effects, such as veterans health problems, unemployment, high taxes, families will separate. Is other ways to make money beside of "War Money". But you can't stop a country has indices when Shogun times fights for territories. Well this is my humble opinion.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Only young Americans talking who must know little about the real war: attacks nowadays would be drone or terminator war, any physical invasion would be Normandy like...any knowledge of history. Japan will never be attacked and there will always be squirmishes for an island like Japan. Risk is that Japan gets involved in other wars and gets terrorist attacks afterwards. It is clearly a move for Americans to save money and sell weapons to Japan and Asia area. Japan losing its economical power is a plight and process is accelerating with that political choice. Thanks for reading.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Right now China is spending 5 times more money in weapons than Japan.

Got a source for that, Kiyoshi, or are you just bloviating?

Its the result of an atheist-neo-communist country.

By this logic, the Bible-thumpin' US should have a military budget the size of Luxemburg's. But it doesn't, does it?

3 ( +8 / -5 )

If this is all really for a good cause, I think that Japan should get written consent and support from all countries involved in WW2 before they do this.... if they can't, then they shouldn't go through with it.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Way was this not done long ago is beyond me,

If this is all really for a good cause, I think that Japan should get written consent and support from all countries involved in WW2 before they do this.... if they can't, then they shouldn't go through with it.<

No need for that, the UN is always there as a safety net, with vetoing powers, baring international trade etc

This commemorate the first step towards hopefully riding the American forces from the US base, including Okinawa, the Japanese forces can replace them.

Respects to PM Abe for standing up for the people of Japan

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

'Militarization to the Japanese, is like a chocolate liqueur to a chronic alcoholic.'

Lee Kuan Yew

It isn't a big transformation from having all those salary drones living every breath for their companies, to having them do likewise for another institution such as a military.

Every country has them, but Japan seems to have so many of them as a percentage of population.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Right now China is spending 5 times more money in weapons than Japan.

Depends on which list you refer to

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures

BUT

It's not just spending, although that is still important.

The focus should be on the TYPE of weapons China is acquiring. And why.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

It seems that Japan would not fight for freedom like US, UK, France, Germany,,,etc do/did. Japan will always worry about only its own ass, so it will not or can't for others sakes.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Strategist: You might get what you wish for, but understand that a nationalistic vision, without the balance of western ideas, could return Japan to darker times.

You believe the UN has the ultimate power to control Japan? What like the IWC has on whaling? Listen, if Japan finds a reason to not follow UN or any other protocol that isn't within her narrative, she will do as she pleases.

I do fear a militaristic Japan, there isn't enough transparency in this country to trust them.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

Reformbasher. China military spending figure is 3 times larger than what you actually see

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Ruling coalition finalizes bills to boost Japan's military role

Where are the street protests? Where is the public outcry? Nothing but the deafening sound of apathetic silence

8 ( +10 / -2 )

You believe the UN has the ultimate power to control Japan?

I think the US, which has military bases here, the world's best weaponry, and some of the world's best troops, is more than enough, entirely by itself, to discourage Japan from any fanciful misadventures conjured by people completely out of touch with reality.

Then there other countries...

It might have made an entertaining Tom Clancy novel (RIP) but Japan is not going to risk everything to invade.... where exactly?

Have you forgotten, or never even thought of, the fact that Japan does not have the right weaponry, or sufficient quantities of it, to be a credible threat to any of it's well-armed neighbours, assuming things ever went that far.

Or perhaps you worry for the safety of unsuspecting Palau?

Reformbasher. China military spending figure is 3 times larger than what you actually see

If 2 lists published by supposedly respectable sources differ so much (on the Wikipedia link I provided), I'd be cautious in believing either of them 100% or any other list for that matter, CCP provided info included.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

I think the US, which has military bases here, the world's best weaponry, and some of the world's best troops, is more than enough, entirely by itself, to discourage Japan from any fanciful misadventures conjured by people completely out of touch with reality.

It's the US which funded the LDP and set the precedent for the historical revisionists to come to the fore. The fact is that under a different government from the LDP, it's possible that the bases might get reduced or moved out of Japan

6 ( +8 / -2 )

The main function of every military is not only to defend the interests of the ruling class against aggression from outside, but even more importantly, to maintain social stability, thus preserving the profit and privileges of the elites from internal threats ( ie., the mass of the citizenry ).Extrapolating from the last thousand years of Japanese history there is no question but that the present trajectory of events points to a future military coup d'etat in this century which promises to be an era characterized by unprecedented world-wide social unrest and class struggle.Just sayin'.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Abe wants Japan to be an ordinary country

Abe wants Japan to be a country that "relives" the past glories of the 1930s. Where everyone is patriotic, and has no historical knowledge whatsoever of the period 1931-1945. This is why this increasing trend of revisionism - while building up the military - is worrying

6 ( +10 / -4 )

@U-S-reamer..

Extrapolation from the last thousand years of Japanese history.......** What thousand years of Japanese history?Unless the Aesop fables ,mumbo-jumbo taught by the panegyrists counts as history to you. They have no thousand year history to speak of.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Reformbasher. China military spending figure is 3 times larger than what you actually see

Do you have a source, or is this yet another statistic made up on the spot, as 43.46% of statistics are known to be?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Nessie, it is a heck of a lot more than a factor of 5. Just look it up. You do have a computer, yes?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

@ Cogito ergo sum

Not sure what your point is. Why don't you just google it? ( Googlo ergo cogito!?)

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Do you have a source, or is this yet another statistic made up on the spot, as 43.46% of statistics are known to be?

I thought it was 57.63%?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Questions for those that think Japan will use its military power to start a war o f its own again..

Have you looked at Japan's current economical situation? If yes, then...

What would Japan actually gain by starting another war? If you can also answer this, then...

Do you think Japan's military is strong enough to give more than just support to allies? If yes, then...

Why isn't China more dangerous? China dwarves Japan in economical power and military power. That, and THEIR history doesn't really look much better if you think about it. If any of those two, China would benefit from a war.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

China would benefit from a war.

No it wouldn't. Not stopping them from encroaching on neigbour's territory a bit at a time though.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Regardless of whether or not you agree with this, and the majority of posters on here cannot vote, Abe and Co are STILL going against the majority of Japanese with this, but claiming their vote is a mandate for doing so. It's abuse of power, and their justification of such with the last vote is incredibly vapid and so utterly transparent. Japan is the new China, and they can't even do a good job of trying to fool the people into thinking they are doing it for their benefit.

And for those who are saying China brought this on, stop kidding yourselves. They could just as easily say Japan brought it on with their refusal to admit history, bombast over the islands (including selling them to the government), visits to Yasukuni, etc. etc., and to an extent they would be right, but it would not exclude their own culpability -- which is to say, this is not one nation's fault but the two nations acting like children.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Nessie, it is a heck of a lot more than a factor of 5. Just look it up. You do have a computer, yes?

The burden of proof is on the person making the claim. Do you have a computer?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

@ 7sky7May. 12, 2015 - 10:06AM JST

Strategist: You might get what you wish for, but understand that a nationalistic vision, without the balance of western ideas, could return Japan to darker times.<

Where is the western "idea" (rather) western military occupation in China, Russian, India etc? Whats keeping them at bay? The advent of the UN is.

You believe the UN has the ultimate power to control Japan? What like the IWC has on whaling? Listen, if Japan finds a reason to not follow UN or any other protocol that isn't within her narrative, she will do as she pleases.<

Why isn't China, Russian, doing as they please? Because of the UN and the vetoing powers it has.

I do fear a militaristic Japan, there isn't enough transparency in this country to trust them.<

Please enough with the heresy and scaremongering, everyone deserves a second chance, the UN is formed by many nation, even Iran, it be foolish for return Japan to darker times, Japans trade industry has proven that to prosper a nation need not go to such "darker times"

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

So who does he wanna kill? Muslims, Chinese, Koreans, Libyians, Iranians? Japan has no enemy's thanks to Article 9... then along came Abe.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Regardless of whether or not you agree with this, and the majority of posters on here cannot vote, Abe and Co are STILL going against the majority of Japanese with this

The majority opinion of surveys I've seen are strongly agree or partially agree.

And for those who are saying China brought this on...

Brought what on?

Who's threatening them so much?

stop kidding yourselves

You first.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Hold the phone... PM Shinzo Abe was not democratically elected?

Please enlighten me on this, i'm just surprised that, with social media, the likes of Facebook, twitter and YouTube etc, the world is ever so connected.

Why haven't I come across news of public outcry, demonstration and protest on these social media networks?

Also many of the major news networks US,UK and Japan news have not reported on anything either.

The US President doesn't seem to have any problems accepting PM Shinzo Abe as being democratically elected.

Please do tell, I would hate to be in ignorance.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

ReformedBasher: "The majority opinion of surveys I've seen are strongly agree or partially agree."

Selective reading. There are a number of people for the overhaul of the Constitution in terms of changing the parliamentary system of government as it is currently, but the people who want article 9 changed are still in the minority. Abe has clearly said he wants to focus on changing article 9 so, no, the majority are not at all with him. He's now trying to make a manga to 'help people understand the NEED' to change the constitution, as if his circumventing the laws and not listening to the people were not pathetic enough. And yet despite the clown Abe, whom I know you love, saying, "There has not yet been sufficient public debate. I think we need further discussion and deliberations on the matter," (code for "we haven't yet found a way to skirt their lack of support and make it look like they are supporting us), without that very debate he and his cronies are going ahead and doing as they please with Japan's military.

"Brought what on?"

Since I have to spell it out for you again, brought on the current "need to amend the constitution to prevent against the Chinese threat", as people have posted above. But don't take my word for it:

"Thanks to China, militarization in Asia is unprecedented. Peaceful rise means gunboat diplomacy and they release propaganda saying they are the aggrieved country. Japan's militarization and US pivot is indeed the counterbalance to the new imperialists in Asia. Can you imagine if Japan stays passive? That is exactly what Beijing wants."

"We've seen this. It was the result of Chinese led agression towards southeast asia and their fast weaponization."

" People are realizing a country without mustle is not respected in view of recent troubles with China and Korea. They are getting wary of "melancholy of the impotents.""

To quote but a few.

"You first."

The usual, intellectual retort, I see.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Finally, go Japan!

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

The US President doesn't seem to have any problems accepting PM Shinzo Abe as being democratically elected.

That is because Japan has a "first past the post" system when voting for a political party in an election (The party then chooses the Prime Minister) So if you consider that Abe was "elected" by a minority of his people, you can assume the rest don't give a damn, and that will be their undoing. The coalition is beefing the military to placate the minority of people which voted it into power

0 ( +3 / -3 )

A question for all who believe China is going to attack Japan, how is rewriting the constitution, changing legislation (laws) and "boosting" Japans international military role going to help? The constitution doesn't need to be rewritten for Japan to create a bigger and better military. The US is already obligated to help Japan if attacked, so how does being able to expand our international "military role" protect us more?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

flowersMay. 12, 2015 - 08:04AM JST > CrazyJoe, better to thank Abe for his contribution,

TheUS has been pushing for this since 1950. We have only Communist China to thank for bringing Japan to it's senses and accomplishing what we could not for 65 years,

<>n the near future you will see young Japanese soldiers die patriotically in a pathetic war just like the old days.

No you won't. In the old days Japa was a fascist Empire with soldiers dying for the Emperor, Today the Emperor is merely a symbol, and the SDFiscobtrainted by the constitution,.

There is a very slim possibility that China would attack Japan, but other neighbors might, the following countries come >to mind: Russia, N.Korea, and S.Korea. And, you may be right “That is exactly what Beijing wants,” though other >country can do the dirty job for her.

While China may not "attack" Japan it is the only country that may very well start an armed conflict with Japan, and several other Asian nations for that matter, Only China is on a declared territorial expansion agenda. Russia has too much to gain from relations with Japan and does not want conflict with the U.S. South Korea is not going to start a conflict with Japan and the US will not let them. Not to mention that neither SK or NK is capable of "attacking" Japan, nor do they have anything to gain. It all comes down to Communist China, and China only as the real threat to peace in the region.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

TheUS has been pushing for this since 1950.

And Japan could've well reached that position by now - if it had shown sincerity in addressing its history. Currently its lack thereof makes it safer (unfortunately) to keep US bases in the country as a safeguard.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

A question for all who believe China is going to attack Japan, how is rewriting the constitution, changing legislation (laws) and "boosting" Japans international military role going to help? The constitution doesn't need to be rewritten for Japan to create a bigger and better military. The US is already obligated to help Japan if attacked, so how does being able to expand our international "military role" protect us more?

It would allow, for example, Japanese troops to cooperate with US and Taiwanese troops in the event that China saw fit to chasten that 'runaway province'.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Now, Giant Golem freed from the yoke. Ha ha Let's see, what's going on next. This will be a deterrent against China attack to japan at least. Next is to remove Japan's leg-iron.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Nessie :It would allow, for example, Japanese troops to cooperate with US and Taiwanese troops in the event that China saw fit to chasten that 'runaway province'.

Chasten that runaway province? What does that even mean? Either way, the constitution already allows Japan to defend itself if attacked and would not exclude "cooperation" with the US.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Soon they can be just like the US and send their troops everywhere in the world cos I'm sure parents want to see their national military used for other countries.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Sounds bill will pass at Diet. Then national voting. I wonder how parents of youngsters and young people will vote. This wll allow Japan to send JSDF to middle east where USA pulled out or failed such as Afghan and Yemen. But slso enable to crush ISIS or any organization that kill any Japanese.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

so the arms race begins...next stop war. don't expect other countries to just sit idly and watch japan build it's military.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@ US reamer, a thousand years ago there were VERY F countries in existence, at least NOT in the way we know them today. Japan was no different. In fact Okinawa used to be what ? Hokkaido was also brought under Japan's heel when ? and what was Hokkaido's name ? I'll leave the googolo honors to you and go on.... binge!!!!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

tokyodoumoMAY. 13, 2015 - 01:30AM JST

so the arms race begins...next stop war. don't expect other countries to just sit idly and watch japan build it's military.

====================================================================================

Japan lost war to USA but not lost to China, These LDP and Komeito seems they were not worrying other countries arming. They seem they could not care less of arming by other countries. China is careful If they attack Japan, Japanese might go there just like Japan did way before WW II.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

OssanAmerica, “The US has been pushing for this since 1950.” That is the main reason Japan should not to go backwards. Why would you listen to the country that is always at war if you have no intention of getting into a war yourself, right? Abe administration has every intention to change the peaceful Japan into an atrocious second-fiddle nation. Abe cannot return Japan to the second-largest economy so why not make it to be one of those powerful nations. You said, “We have only Communist China to thank for bringing Japan to it's senses and accomplishing what we could not for 65 years,” then tell me an incidence that China started in provoking Japan. Every action that China made has always been in response to Japan’s provocation.

“No you won't. In the old days Japa was a fascist Empire with soldiers dying for the Emperor, Today the Emperor is merely a symbol, and the SDFiscobtrainted by the constitution,.” Do you want to bet that after Abe got his way on the Constitution change, the Emperor will be uplifted and become more prominent. Yes, young Japanese soldiers will die for the nation that used to be peaceful.

You said, “Only China is on a declared territorial expansion agenda,” now think carefully about the following. All the territorial disputes with China have been in existence for many decades already, but in the last couple of years right after the US declared “Pivot to Asia” that China has been provoked consistently by Japan and the Philippines. Which country nationalized the disputed islands in order to change the status quo? Which country denied and lied about the existence of the agreement to shelve the islands issue that both leaders agreed on several decades ago, but now the truth came out from Britain that the agreement did exist? Which country’s leader went around the world, bad-mouthed China, and created “China Threat”? Which country created the ADIZ many decades ago practically right up to China’s door steps and when China did the same it cried foul? Which country sent out fighter jets to go after Chinese propeller plane? Which country whitewashes its own atrocities during WWII and its leader even dared to say that “aggression” is not defined? Which country leader and his gangs go to worship the criminals in official capacity offending the neighbors? Which country gave away free gifts and grants to the Philippines to make it so that it’s not alone in this provocation? So, who is really the wolf in the sheep’s clothing? The answer is Japan.

You do know why I mentioned Russia, N.Korea, and S.Korea. Those countries all have territorial disputes with Japan and all of them are in good side with China. Japan did impose sanctions against Russia and they remember. N.Korea and S.Korea both have something to grind with Japan. The most fear is once Japan becomes a “normal” country again it will try to show off its strength so it is a matter of picking a country to practice its might. Russia and China are becoming pretty close these days, theories that this may be temporary or both dislike each other seem to be out of the windows, the US will have a choice of going against both China and Russia or cozying up with either China or Russia. You know the answer to that. In any event, the US will think twice before trying to flex its muscle in Asia again. Pitiful Japan is being used to create chaos in Asia and the Japanese people are too naïve or too passive to see it.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Smith,

http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/philippines-japan-hold-historic-naval-drills-in-flashpoint-waters

China wouldn't be in this situation if it wasn't the aggressor.

But somehow you've convinced yourself it's all Japan's fault.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Hokkaido was also brought under Japan's heel when ? and what was Hokkaido's name ?

In the 15th century. Its name was Ezo. What's your point?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Nessie :It would allow, for example, Japanese troops to cooperate with US and Taiwanese troops in the event that China saw fit to chasten that 'runaway province'.

Chasten that runaway province? What does that even mean? Either way, the constitution already allows Japan to defend itself if attacked and would not exclude "cooperation" with the US.

It's funny your responding to another comment not directed at you but you ignore my comment after replying to it. I guess it easier for you to change topic than back pedaling your comment.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

It's funny your responding to another comment not directed at you but you ignore my comment after replying to it. I guess it easier for you to change topic than back pedaling your comment.

I have no obligation to address a comment. From your lack of understanding of the Taiwan example and of Japanese constitutional constraints, I thought it wouldn't be worth responding. But if you insist, here is my response, with no backpedaling...

Chasten that runaway province? What does that even mean?

Attacking, threatening to attack or blockading Taiwan, which China describes as a "runaway province".

Either way, the constitution already allows Japan to defend itself if attacked and would not exclude "cooperation" with the US.

If Taiwan were threatened, the current constitution would exclude most types of direct cooperation by Japan in defense of Taiwan.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

NessieMAY. 12, 2015 - 08:53PM JST A question for all who believe China is going to attack Japan, how is rewriting the constitution, changing legislation (laws) and "boosting" Japans international military role going to help? The constitution doesn't need to be rewritten for Japan to create a bigger and better military. The US is already obligated to help Japan if attacked, so how does being able to expand our international "military role" protect us more?

It would allow, for example, Japanese troops to cooperate with US and Taiwanese troops in the event that China saw fit to chasten that 'runaway province'.

<Thanks for clarifying but if you actually read my post, and your response, you'll see that you didn't answer either question!

I asked how it's going to HELP and how would it protect us more?

Being able to fight China to protect Taiwan does NOT do either. If fact it would do the opposite. Changing the constitution to give Japan the ability to become the world police, does NOT protect us more. Besides, if rewriting the constitution allows us to fight there, it would also allow us to fight in Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen and so on. How would that move protect us or help Japan in any way other than feeding the Military Industrial Complex?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

How would that move protect us or help Japan in any way other than feeding the Military Industrial Complex?

If would potentially help by allowing alliances.

Being able to fight China to protect Taiwan does NOT do either. If fact it would do the opposite.

Do you think an invasion or blockade of Taiwan would make Japan more secure, or less secure?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

NessieMAY. 13, 2015 - 04:58PM JST How would that move protect us or help Japan in any way other than feeding the Military Industrial Complex?

If would potentially help by allowing alliances. < Potentially? Alliances are not only determined by collective militaries. Are you suggesting that Taiwan would protect Japan, if Japan was attacked by China?>

Being able to fight China to protect Taiwan does NOT do either. If fact it would do the opposite.

Do you think an invasion or blockade of Taiwan would make Japan more secure, or less secure? < As long as your asking "what if" hypothetical questions, do think getting into a war with China, to protect Taiwan, would make Japan more secure, or less secure?>

0 ( +0 / -0 )

do think getting into a war with China, to protect Taiwan, would make Japan more secure, or less secure?

I think a war would be less likely if China knew in advance that Japan would help the US to guarantee Taiwanese sovereignty.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites