Topic: Should Japan revise Article Nine (9) of the constitution?
Introduction
The issue of Japan’s article 9 “Peace Constitution”: in the Japanese constitution which was drafted by the United States while Japan was under their occupation, is one that the Japanese society is currently struggling with. The question of whether the article should be amended, and if amended, how it should be revised is a question that has numerous implications not only for Japan, but for East Asia and also the world at large. Since the enactment of article 9 of the Japanese constitution, many changes have occurred over the years. The world have seen the rise of terrorism, the issue of nuclear proliferation even from its neighbor North Korea and other countries and
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But many different scholars each have explanation as to the possible scenarios that might occur in the future regarding Japan and its Article 9.
But, despite these issues they are not just few but plentiful and are of paramount importance in the revision of the Japanese constitution article 9. It is stated that based on this section of the constitution it ensures Japan peaceful state. However is it wishful thinking that Japan will remain a peaceful state despite the fact that they have accomplished this for approximately sixty-five (65)
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After the war ended, Japan was devastated and became occupied by the United States of America. The Japan Emperor at the time lost all political and military power. General Douglas MacArthur, the supreme Commander (USA) of the Allied Powers was given the responsibility to reconstruct and transform Japan into a peaceful (demilitarized) and democratic nation, which it is said was stated clearly in President Harry Truman’s policy statement called “Early US policy toward Japan after its Capitulation” (Kazuhiko Togo: Japan’s Foreign Policy 1945-200)
The Japanese Government was eventually encouraged to amend the imperial constitution of 1889 (Meiji constitution) in existence at the time. Thus, on October 1945, it is stated that the Japanese Prime Minister requested a committee to research and amend the existing constitution with the hopes of arriving at a new constitution. Drafts were completed and sent to General MacArthur, however it was said none met with his approval and in turn he requested his staff to draft a new Japanese Constitution in 1946, with amendments being made by the Japanese
Starting in the early 1930’s, the Japanese began to display their great imperialistic dreams with ambition and aggression. Their goal was to create a "Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere" where they controlled a vast empire in the western Pacific.1 In September of 1939, Japan signed the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis Treaty, allying themselves with Germany and Italy in an effort to safeguard their interests in China from the Soviet Union. Japan’s only major obstacle left lay in the significant size of the United States Pacific Fleet. To rid themselves of this, Japan attacked the United States Pacific Fleet in hopes of crippling it enough to prevent any further hindrance from the US. Although Japan began the War in the Pacific on the offensive, winning many battles and gaining significant territories, the tide quickly turned in favor of the US because of the their dominating industrial capacity. Thus, the Japanese began to resort to ghastly measures to prevent a humiliating defeat.
On the whole, the terms of Charter Oath of 1868 were achieved by 1895 to a large extent. Japan eventually had a representative government, though not a democratic one. The evil customs were abolished by the judicial reforms. Feudalism was abolished as a precondition of the establishment of a centralized government. The national interest was fulfilled by the educational reform which eventually led to the growth of nationalism in the long run.
The goals of the Meiji Restoration included dismantling of the old feudal regime and the creation of a nation-state capable of standing equal among Western powers, including the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and the Unites States. The leaders of the Meiji Restoration were mostly young samurai motivated by increasing domestic problems and threats of foreign intrusion. Saigō Takamori was also an influential leader in the Meiji Restoration. He was responsible for leading several rebellions against the government in companionship with samurai warriors and peasants who distrusted the new regime. The citizens of Japan were also, arguably, influential leaders of the Meiji restoration. Under their pressure to insist on the creation of a constitutional government, the government formed a Cabinet system in 1885 and in 1886 began developing the Constitution, which would be presented as a gift from the emperor to the people in 1889 and established a bicameral parliament. Revolutionary tactics from the Meiji Restoration included the development of transportation and communication. Railroads were built, telegraphs connecting major cities, and the institution of a European-style banking system developed. We can clearly recognize differences between the revolutionary tactics of the Meiji Restoration to those in the Mexican Revolution and those in the
However, amid a global economic crisis, the military came to the fore, and Japan eventually marched down the road to war. With the end of World War II in 1945 Japan put into effect a new Constitution, committed itself to becoming a peace-seeking democracy, and successful in relaunching its economy. In 1956, the nation’s entry into the United Nations was approved.
The initial terms of surrender were laid out in the Potsdam Declaration of July 26, 1945, in which the United States, Great Britain, and China all participated. But unlike post World War II Germany, which was split into four quadrants among the Allies, the occupation of Japan was solely and American endeavor. This document was by no means tame. Military occupation would see to it that its measure would be properly carried out. Justice would be served to those "who deceived and misled the people of Japan into embarking on world conquest," Disarmament of the military, reparations as the Allies saw fit, and the "remove all obstacles to the revival and strengthening of democratic tendencies among the Japanese people" were also to be enacted. At the head of this revolution, as spelled out in Potsdam, was Douglas MacArthur.
Japan has moved on since then. They now have become one of the world's wealthiest countries and one of the United States' most powerful allies. Although Japan was hurting for a while, they overcame their struggles which is testament to how strong the people of Japan are, just ask Tamiko Tamonaga and Sachie Tashima. Word Count: 888
Western Influence on Japan Japan, as a nation, is a continually changing society. Ever since Western nations became involved with Japan, its changes over recent times. have increased at a substantial rate. Japan now faces cultural, economic and economic challenges. and social differences as a result of the western involvement.
If one strips the story to its generalities rather than specifics, it is easy to relate this to World War II through the attack on Pearl Harbor and subsequent actions. Japan had relatively recently entered onto the world stage and faced issues that plagued other youthful nations. Japan required expansion to feed its growing populace. The easies...
Japan was the only nation that was still fighting against the allied countries when Germany surrendered, and its army was in very poor conditions: its troops were considerably weak, its amount of armament was running out, and the government was about to surrender in a matter of months . In addition, the final decision was not informed or warned to Japanese authorities which, in that case, could have probably prevented the catastrophe, the dropping place of the devastating bombs were of limited military value and, finally, the decision was made partly thinking of the value of its development, the political intimidation that it would create on the Soviet Union and the rest of the world, and man’s natural but vicious need of power and leadership.
Japan had always been an ally of the United States. Japan tried to collect their share of treasure from Versailles. Japan ran into some troubles, Woodrow Wilson. Wilson rejected Japan’s claim to German concessions in Shantung. Duan Qirui, a Chinese warlord and politician had borrowed money from Japan to make China’s army stronger. Japan used that loan and wanted it to be repaid by getting the concessions in Shantung. In 1921, at the Naval Conference the US pressured the Britain’s to end their 20 year alliance with the Japanese. Japan was now isolated, Stalin’s unhappy empire to the north, t...
...ty for one that better suited its capitalistic tendency. That opportunity came in1868 when the Meiji imperial rule was able to overthrow the Tokugawa regime, setting off a political, economic, social and cultural change that transformed Japan. As Japan embraced modernity with full force, some began to realize the negative impact of modernization on the rural life, social structure and most importantly on its culture, blaming it on the western influence on its modernization. Thus as Japan neared World War II, it embraced a new sense of modernization, one that was separate from westernization, creating a nationalistic and fascist government policy. Japanese society is characteristic of plurality and opposing value systems coexisting. As new ideals and institutions arise, Japan sees itself transforming and changing at the hands of internal and external forces.
The Japanese empire was an inspirational country to other Asians that spearheaded the fight against the European imperialism. After the Meiji restoration, emperors decided that the modernization of Japan was going to begin and in order for it to be a success, the government
Following the unprecedented destruction of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the surrender of the Empire of Japan to Allied forces in September, 1945, the Japanese government came under control of Allied Occupation Forces from 1945-52, with General Douglas MacArthur serving as Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers (SCAP). Under MacArthur’s office, also known as SCAP, Japan was designated as, “the bulwark of Asia’s capitalism and democracy” (Thompson & Bordwell, 2009, p. 462), making the nation ripe for political and economic
So, if Japan does not “belong” to Asia, does it belong to some other amorphous collection of nations, namely Europe or the West? Certainly in the modern post-WWII era Japan has seen phenomenal economic growth, even to the point of threatening the US as the primary global economic power during the height of the “bubble economy.” Some credit this success to the changes implemented during the US occupation. Undoubtedly without US assistan...
...high power status, Japan had to have a self-reliant industrial common ground and be able to move all human and material resources (S,195). Through the Shogun Revolution of 1868, the abolition of Feudalism in 1871, the activation of the national army in 1873, and the assembly of parliament in 1889, the political system of Japan became westernized (Q,3). Local Labor and commercial assistance from the United States and Europe allowed Japan’s industry to bloom into a developed, modern, industrial nation (Q,3). As a consequence production surplus, and food shortage followed (Q,3). Because of how much it relied on aid of western powers, Japan’s strategic position became especially weak. In an attempt to break off slightly from the aid of the west Japanese leaders believed that it would be essential for Japan to expand beyond its borders to obtain necessary raw materials.