Japan's Constitutional Dilemma in Responding to Regional Threats
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59890/kdhjr914Keywords:
Japan’s Constitution, Pacifism, Regional ThreatsAbstract
The Japanese Constitution, adopted in 1947,
particularly its Article 9, has formed the
foundation for the country’s pacifist policy.
Article 9 explicitly prohibits Japan from using
military force in international disputes, making it
a "Pacifist Constitution." However, with the rising
threats from North Korea’s nuclear program and
China’s military buildup, Japan faces pressure to
reassess and possibly amend this constitution.
This article explores the impact of regional
security threats on Japan’s defense policy and
evaluates the challenges and policy options
available. Using a case study approach and
qualitative analysis, the article investigates how
Japan navigates between its commitment to
pacifism and the need to enhance its defense
capabilities. The findings indicate that, despite the
push to amend Article 9, Japan is likely to adopt
an approach that maintains its constitutional
identity while strengthening defense alliances and
gradually increasing defense capacity
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Copyright (c) 2024 Kemala Oktreza, Rodon Pedrason, Rizerius Eko Hadisancoko (Author)
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