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Japanese poll urges an end to pacifism
Japanâs constitution should be rewritten to remove or amend pacifist safeguards imposed after the Second World War, according to a poll yesterday of candidates representing the countryâs governing party. The poll by the Asahi newspaper showed that constitutional revision was favoured by almost 90 per cent of candidates from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which is expected to win this weekâs general election comfortably. It also showed that some 60 per cent of candidates from the main opposition Democrats are in favour of revising the constitution, though not necessarily Article Nine, which prevents Japan from maintaining an offensive military capability.The poll did not specifically ask which part of the constitution should be changed, but it is understood that many LDP members, including Junichiro Koizumi, the prime minister, believe Article Nine should be changed. The article has been interpreted by successive governments as preventing Japan from exercising a right to collective self-defence - the use of force to counter an attack on a foreign ally. But that has been increasingly in doubt as Japanâs security situation has changed. Politicians and foreign policy analysts have become acutely concerned by the erratic behaviour of North Korea, which is openly pursuing nuclear weapons. Earlier this year, the defence minister said a pre-emptive attack on North Korea would be considered if a missile capable of reaching Japan was being made ready. In 1998, North Korea launched a missile over Japanese airspace, demonstrating its ability to hit Tokyo. The Japanese constitution renounces the right to make war and maintain an army. But yesterdayâs poll indicates a growing consensus that this needs to be amended to enable Japan to play a greater role in regional security, particularly in the face of the threat from North Korea. Any revision is likely to be preceded by a debate about how Article Nine can be altered to reflect the changing international situation without moving too radically away from Japanâs special status as a non-militarist nation. In August, Mr Koizumi suggested that the LDP should revise the constitution, including Article Nine, by November 2005, his partyâs 50th anniversary. America has pressed Japan to play a bigger role in security and some Japanese want the country to be able to exercise collective self-defence. Right-wingers say it is too reliant on the "umbrella" provided by the alliance with America and that it is time to become a "normal country" with a recognised military force to back its foreign policy. Posted by: Bulldog 2003-11-04 |
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