The nature of the debate on the role and limits of Japan's military actions would be high farce if the issue itself wasn't so important.  No nation can maintain its place in the world without being able to A.) Defend itself and B.) to defeat any one who attacks her.  Japan can do A if attacked but her ability to do B is in serious dobt, because she is reliant upon the US to carry out B, but the US not unreasonably believes that Japan should play a role in B, not just A.

From the Daily Yomuiri: Vision needed to enact lasting SDF dispatch law.

     A government panel of experts tasked with reestablishing the legal framework for the nation's preparedness to deal with state emergencies must come up with reports that contribute to the nation's security without being influenced by changes in the political landscape.

     Under the government's traditional interpretation of the Constitution, Japan has the right of collective self-defense, but may not exercise this right. Naturally, this interpretation has caused much head-scratching in the international community.

     Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who wanted to tackle this problem, established the panel in April. The panel held five meetings, but has been inactive since Abe resigned suddenly from his post about three months ago.

     In addition, the situation surrounding the panel has been turned on its head due to the Liberal Democratic Party's crushing defeat in July's House of Councillors election and the ensuing change of administration.

     Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is very cautious about changing this constitutional interpretation, while the LDP's coalition partner, New Komeito, has hardened its opposition to modifying it. Even if the government wanted to change this interpretation, enacting necessary laws would be no easy task because of the current split Diet in which the ruling parties hold a majority in the House of Representatives and the opposition bloc controls the upper house.

     Nevertheless, the government panel's direct reference to the issue as "shackling" the nation's security policy was eye-opening.

     Shackled is right, Japan is shackeled to the corpse of mid Twentieth century idealism in the wild and wooly world of the early twenty first century.

Posted by: raging tachikoma at 12:23 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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