A security bill including 11 collective self-defense rights has passed in the Japan parliament. There were 144 delegates who voted for the bill while 90 were against the law. In the past, Japan was only able to protect their nation according to Article 9 1) of the Japanese Constitution 2). However, after approving security bill, Japan can make war for their security.
Now, Japan can dispatch their Self- Defense Forces to troubled parts of the world in order to protect UN allied nations. This also applies to Gray-zone 3) conflicts.
Furthermore, when the Korean Peninsula is in a war situation, the Japan Self-Defense Forces will expand their role on the peninsula by protecting the US army’s equipment or weapons. This is regarded as protecting a UN allied nation.
The background of the current Japanese Security bill is Abe’s policy to release Japan from its pacifist constitution. Abe who is the prime minister of Japan is extremely right leaning politically and believes that Japan’s pacifist constitution is coercive measure imposed by the United States.
Northeast Asian countries who suffered under Japanese colonial ruling, especially Korea and China, are strongly against and worry about Japan’s self-defense rights. They already suffered from Japan as a country that can make war. Moreover, many of Japanese people demonstrated against the rule revision. However, the Japanese government did not respond to the opposition stating part of the self-defense rights bill is to keep peace not make war in Northeast Asia.
1) Article 9-2
In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.
2) Japanese Constitution
After the World War II, Japan included some pacifist clauses that prevented it from having a military other than for self-protection purposes.
3) Gray-zone
intermediate area between in peace or in war.
