an informal essay: Japan's Pacifism Policy

[epyon]

this is also posted in Jackies political thread.

Japan?s Article 9
An Annotated Bibliography

Andrew Culhane
English III (H)
Mrs. Addis
CP 3
February 6, 2006

Japan?s Article 9, a part of the Constitution forced by General Douglas MacArthur, limits Japan to having no military power. In the 50?s during the Korean War the policy was unofficially changed to allow for Japan to have a Self Defense Force. Japan is now the world?s 4th in military spending. New policies as well as new threats, and new politicians brings up the question is Article 9 obsolete?

Japan has always had an international reputation for doublespeak and opportunism, Article 9 offers Japan a great 2 way shield. Not only does it keep American military presence in the area high, it also allows Japan to build economic ties with nations in the Middle East that are anti US. Recently Japan and the United States strengthened their alliance, and Japan agreed to send more of its Self Defense Force overseas. These forces however still fill a noncombatant logistical role. Because Japanese forces fill only logistical positions, and are not aggressors against Islamic peoples, Japan is able to keep better relations with Arabic Nations that the US is on bad terms with.

It is now 2006, with an average life expectancy of 80 years in Japan, the number of people who saw the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is dwindling. It was these people, through the 50?s 60?s 70?s and 80?s that were so influential in following Article 9 verbatim. The only exception to this is the JSDF, or Japanese Self Defense Force, which is an unconstitutional organization formed by the US. Despite being unconstitutional the JSDF has grown into the largest Asian military power in the Far East. With the number of people who oppose the JSDF getting smaller it is very likely that someday Japan will become a ?normal? nation.

Teddy Roosevelt once said ?speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.? Currently Japan is the nation that best fits to that motto. Japan does not attempt to aggressively assert itself internationally, but being that it is protected by the US, and is the 4th in the world in military expenditures, it truly does carry a ?big stick.? Despite the growing Chinese and North Korean threats right on Japan?s doorstep, the people are relatively calm. In fact Japan could, at this moment wage defend its islands from either, without the help of Big Brother US. Of course if Japan were to be attacked, the United States would help to defend the Island Chain, so there is no need to revise Article 9.

In 1947 when General Douglas MacArthur oversaw the writing of the new Japanese Constitution, he imposed Article 9, an article that limits Japan to being a pacifist nation. Almost 60 years ago now, the world has changed a lot since then. New people have come to power and the cold war is over. The new threat is terrorism. So a question arises, is Article 9 obsolete?










Works Cited
?Doi Takako.? Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2nd ed. Vol. 17. 1998. Student Resource Center Gold. Thomson Gale. Baker Library Wayne PA. Jan.-Feb. 2006 <http://infotrac.galegroup.com/>.
This Source was a Biography of Doi Takako, a leader in the Japanese Socialist Party. Having grown up during WWII, Mrs. Takako cultivated strong anti-war feelings. These feelings werefurther cultivated by her college mentor, Tabata Shinobu a professor at Doshisha University. Shortly after entering the political arena in the Japanese Social Party, she was dubbed by the press as the JSP?s ?Great Savior? and ?Jeanne d?Arc.? A head figure in the defense of the Japanese Constitution?s Article 9, the article that keeps Japan a pacifist nation.

Though this source dealt less with the conflict around Japan?s constitutional Pacifism than my other sources do, it was very helpful nonetheless. It informed me more about the political arena in Japan and which sides the people are on. It was also very informative about Article 9, for instance none of my other sources have mentioned anything about JSDF (Japan?s Self Defense Force) being unconstitutional. Even though when I first found the source, it looked like it wouldn?t help, it did, a lot.



Heginbotham, Eric, and Richard J. Samuels. ?Japan?s Dual Hedge. NOT ANOTHER BRITAIN.? Foreign Affairs Sept.-Oct. 2002: 110. 30 Jan. 2006 <http://src2.epnet.com//.aspx?sid=cf3938c6-f558-4716-81>.
The Second source entitled Japan?s Duel Hedge, NOT ANOTHER BRITAIN, deals with Japan?s pacifism and action. Japan remains a ?pacifist? nation while at the same time sends troops over seas. It continues to discuss Japan?s ability to successfully have two conflicting policies for example, helping the US in Iraq and reassuring nations like Iran that it is anti US. It continues to state that the only reason Japan has remained a Pacifist Nation is because they have the American Military to protect them, and it acts as a shield so that they can continue trade with the US?s enemies.

This article wasn?t really all that informative to me. I have always enjoyed reading my father?s books of political cartoons, one of my favorites was a picture of President Reagan, and the Japanese PM bowing to Ragan saying ?YES? except the letters are made up of ?no.? Such statements about the Japanese have been made in the movie ?The Last Samurai? and in James Clavell?s ?Tai-Pan.?





Kerr, Alex. ?A War-Torn Land: Will North Korean nukes rouse Japan from its ?stupor of peace??? Time International 24 Feb. 2003: 22. Student Resource Center Gold. Thomson Gale. Baker Library Wayne PA. 27 Jan. 2006 <http://infotrac.galegroup.com/>.
The third source dealt with Japan?s options and opinions of The North Korean Threat. Japan has become slightly more militarily active as well as having one of the largest militaries in the world, the JSDF. The Japanese people are comfortable under the American Umbrella and don?t really fear North Korea at all.

This article is very, very informative on the people?s opinions about pacifism and defense of their nation. I found it amazing that Japan has the 4th most powerful military in the world despite the fact that it?s an unconstitutional military. I also learned that the Japanese MSDF, Maritime Self Defense Force, sank a North Korean Spy ship in 2001.

Kohiyama, Mie. ?Japan?s proud pacifism under strain 60 years after end of war.? Agence France Presse 28 July 2005. LexisNexis Academic. LexisNexis. Baker Library, Wayne, PA. 25 Jan. 2006 <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.
Japan?s Prime Minister is pushed to do away with Article 9, the push failed, but it shows that Pacifism may soon die out in Japan. With the baby boomer generation falling out of power, the drive for pacifism in Japan is much less. The People in Japan have been told about the horrors of their last military action, but the numbers of those that saw it with their own eyes is dwindling.

This article was one of my most recent sources, and it will be interesting to see where Japan goes with their pacifism. I think what is most important is that this shows an almost westernization of Japan, which is very odd. The Japanese have traditionally remained Japanese, taking from other cultures only what is beneficial to their quality of living.

Masci, David. ?Japan in Crisis.? CQ Researcher 26 July 2002: 26. CQ Researcher. Baker Library Wayne PA. 25 Jan. 2006.
Discussed Japan?s economic problems and how they are linked to their Pacifist policies. Many argue that Japan should scrap its policies of Pacifism and join the West in the Anti Terror action in the Middle East. In response the Japanese have sent 3 ships and one battalion in non combat status, supplying the US navy and army.

This article was much like the last except much wordier. I didn?t really see the link between economics and pacifism, in this article. The only connection I found was that the prime minister was trying to reform both. I didn?t really think this was a good article for my research topic.




?Revamped alliance not to change Japan?s pacifism.? Agence France Presse -- English 6 Nov. 2005. LexisNexis Academic. LexisNexis. Baker Library Wayne PA. 31 Jan. 2006 <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.
A follow up to they story in Source 4 it states that the revamped alliance between the US and Japan has not changed Article 9. Japan has continued to support the US military logistically, but only in the non combat role.

This is another great source because it confirmed my ideas about Japan.

Showalter, Dennis E. ?Pacifism.? Power Library, History Reference Center. 30 Jan. 2006 <http://src2.epnet.com/school/.aspx?sid= ... a2-4c19-bc>.
This source was my definition on the history of pacifism on the whole. The desire for peace has existed since the times of Jesus Christ but not until the 20th century have large groups, and countries, actively remained neutral as wars were waged around them. The idea of rules to war, then no fighting zones, comes from the Greeks, who despite always warring. Agreed on a few most holy places that would be the equivalent of today?s ?demilitarized zone.?

Though very informative, this source really didn?t help to formulate any opinions about the situation in Japan.

Tamamoto, Masaru. ?Tokyo?s peace and the American agenda.? The New York Times 1 July 2001. Student Resource Center Gold. Thomson Gale. Baker Library Wayne PA. 27 Jan. 2006 <http://infotrac.galegroup.com/>.
Discusses how America wants Japan to become a ?normal? nation with a military that asserts itself internationally. If Japan were to act the way America wants it to, instead of it becoming a ?normal? nation it would probably become unbalanced. Why should Japan abandon five decades of successful restraint?

Probably the most pro-pacifism of all the articles I have read. Its also the only article I read that I recognized the publisher as a big name US news agency. The New York Times, I think this article almost proves the whole liberal media spiel. But I?m getting off topic, this article seemed almost more opinion than fact based.