There are things going on all over the world that demand our attention, and yet, get little of it. I'm amazed at the issues other countries are dealing with that I can't even imagine.
In this case, imagine living in a country with no military, whose constitution defines the country as pacifist. What kind of perspective would you have on war and peace? Japan is defended by the United States, but even that presents an interesting perspective - what's it like to be 'protected'?
And how do you deal with a changing world of terrorists and global threats and power struggles when you have no military?
Watch PBS' "Wide Angle" for a look at Japan's Article 9.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/japans-about-face/japans-about-face-introduction/746/
Background:
In 1937, Japan's Imperial Army went to war against China. It spread throughout Asia and into the Pacific.
In 1945, Japan unconditionally surrendered to MacArthur.
A new constitution was written in 9 days by three members of MacArthur's staff.
Article 9 says Japan cannot have a military. Japan becomes a Pacifist state.
The Japanese people welcome the new constitution because they blame the Imperial Army for getting them into the war in the first place.
In 1954, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) are established.
Over the years, it's been in America's self-interest to establish a more traditional military inside Japan. They would like the Japanese military to be an alliance like the British military.
Over time, the Diet (the bicameral legislators in Japan, like our Congress) has created 'temporary' laws that allow Japan to have military 'like' things, without specifically being military.
The first time the SDF went outside Japan into a war zone was to Iraq in 2003. They were considered to be on a humanitarian mission and not allowed to 'shoot first', so they were escorted by the Dutch Army.
In fact, Japan is currently building its first aircraft carrier (Huga?) which makes it appear there is a regional arms race in progress.
In May 2008, the Diet approved a Japanese military presence in space because China is interested in it as well.
The issue in a nutshell:
In Japan, there are some who want to change the constitution so Japan can have the kind of military every other country has.
The opposition wants to continue Article 9 because they think war is bad.
Other note of interest from the documentary:
Some Japanese people see the shifting balances of power in the world and that the United States isn't the only superpower anymore. China, Russia, and India are extending their reach. The Defense Minister asks if the US-Japanese Alliance will always be able to act to deter China? Maybe not. Maybe its time for Japan to prepare to defend itself, he says.
And what about North Korea, a new neighbor with nuclear weapons?
The lead cadet in the Self Defense Forces Academy spent a year at the equivalent of the Academy in Korea. He was interested that in Korea, students are taught a different version of the events surrounding Japan's annexation of Korea. In Korea, he said, they exaggerate the negative things Japan did. Now he wonders which version of the events are true - the Japanese version or the Korean version. He gained a more worldly view while studying abroad.
The constitutional issue is discussed at the Academy, but presents an interesting challenge. The SDF swears to uphold the constitution, and yet they are a 'military' like institution. There are cadets that would like the constitution changed. If this was widely known around Japan, it would call into question their oath. Strange dilemma.
Interesting issue for Japan to consider over the coming years.
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