Perhaps I am over-simplifying things, and then again, perhaps I am not.
Abe wants to alter the wording of Article 9 of its constitution. What that means is that he wants to change the wording within to state that 'war is a sovereign right of the nation.'
You may recall that after World War II, Japan's constitution was essentially written by the U.S. At that time Japan okayed the fact that it didn't want to make war again.
It was definitely the act of a nation that had its collective ass kicked by the Allies in WWII - especially with the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with atomic bombs.
Hell, who could blame them?
Essentially, this is why Japan doesn't have a proper military.
But Abe is a known nationalist. He's currently trying to rewrite an apology Japan (barely) offered to women who were abducted and forced to act as sex slaves for the military during WWII.
And now... he wants to add in that Japan has the right to military self-defense.
Now, taken as a simple statement, Abe seems to be saying 'enough is enough'. It's the 21st century. Why are we being governed by a constitution written 67 years ago by our conquerors. 'We are not the enemy anymore. We are allies of the U.S.'.
That's all true. And, it doesn't seem right that Japan should have a constitution shoved in its face, regardless if it has been a constitution that has seemingly worked wonders for the country these past decades.
After all, Japan does possess a 'self-defense readiness force' and has ably supplied money, equipment and personnel whenever its aid has been requested.
So why is the rest of the world pissed off at Abe?
Well, a draft of the revised constitution by Abe and his Liberal Democratic Party recently voted into power by Japan shows the country wants some bi-iiiig changes.
For example, the Parliament can declare a military emergency... at which point in time the Cabinet decrees have the force of law.
As well, it wants to remove the ban on conscription to the military. It wants the right to call men and women to duty.
And there's more. The revised constitution wants to change Article 97. That article currently provides :
"fundamental human rights … guaranteed to the people of Japan are fruits of the age-old struggle of man to be free; they … are conferred upon this and future generations in trust, to be held for all time inviolate.”
The revision? The removal of that principle.
Abe wants to add in a clause that limits civil liberties:
"a citizen may not abuse his rights and freedoms. He should be aware of his responsibility and obligation to the community and exercise his rights in a way that does not conflict with the public interest and public order."
But the worst revision revolves around the freedom of speech and the freedom of association:
Citizens would not be allowed their freedom of speech or association "for the purpose of harming the public interest and public order."
In other words, "Shut-up, you stupid Japanese citizens. I, the great and powerful
Well, Japan. You voted Abe and the nationalistic pride motif into office. How does a militarized Japan grab you? How about tyrannical?
Germany did the same sort of thing with a crazy little wall-paper hanger a few years back, and everybody loves Hitler.
Of course... these are just proposed changes to the Japanese way of life (and death). It still has to pass the muster by achieving a two-third majority from the upper and lower houses of parliament and then, if successful, you, the people (insert Abe) get to vote on it.
Abe wants to remove some of those barriers to achieving his goal of power... but that hasn't happened yet.
Would Japan want what Abe is selling?
Recently enough the country has virtually stopped its dependency on energy generated by nuclear power. That doesn't sound like a Hawk nation.
In fact, a recent poll in Japan says 32 percent wanted versus 53 percent opposed, to a change in Article 9’s commitment to peace.
That speaks volumes. People in Japan wanted a change from the political 'leadership' that failed miserably to adequately deal with the March 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear problems. Sure... vote the buggers out. We need new blood.
But Japan didn't quite get new blood. Instead, it gets an older retread of Abe who was Japan's prime minister back in 2006. After a year of listening to similar rhetoric from Abe, he was out of power.
Japan... get some real new blood. It's obvious you want a leader and a political party to lead you back to prosperity... but guys... how many prime ministers have their been in the past six years? Seven.
Japan has had seven prime ministers in the past six years.
I get the feeling that it's soon going to be eight in seven years.
Japan... do you really want a revised constitution from Abe okaying the right to military conscription? Do you want your sons and daughters marching off to war against China over some islands you have never been to?
And the right to have a military? Isn't the U.S. doing a great job for you? They are.
Do you feel it is right to build up a military when your economy sucks? I thought Japan was broke? How will it buy some military planes? Holy crap! Will Mitsubishi start building planes again? Honda has a jet now. What about Suzuki? Can it make some pastel-colored tanks? You're welcome.
Oh wait... a great way to raise up the economic might of a country is to become involved in a war. If you choose to go down that path, do what the USA did and pick countries a lot smaller than you - Grenada. That's all I'm saying. Grenada.
(Okay, I'm not done). There's a Time-Life series of 24 books detailing the Invasion of Grenada by the US. Twenty-four volumes. One for each hour it took to win the war. Joke over.
What would Japan do? China? Russia? I would start smaller. It could increase book sales (Joke over, this time for sure.)
Regardless... the revisions to the Japanese Constitution hasn't come to pass yet. And perhaps it never will.
If you think that having a constitution written by the U.S. is bad... all of you Japanese women should recall that if it wasn't for an American woman, Japanese women would have few rights at all. Vote accordingly.
You have to admit, though, that old Rising Sun flag was cool.
Cheers
Andrew Joseph
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