Japan censured for skirting peace constitution

 

Japanese cabinet lifts limits on self-defense

Japanese protest against Abe on SDF

For historical reasons, Japanese policy moves in military and security fields are closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a daily press briefing.

"People cannot but question whether Japan will change the peaceful development path it has long stuck to since the end of WWII," Hong said.

Chheang Vannarith, a senior researcher of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, said Japan will further complicate regional security environment and hurt relations between Japan and its neighbors.

"The majority of Asian countries wish to see Japan not to amend its pacifist constitution," said Vannarith, who is also a lecturer of Asia Pacific Studies at University of Leeds in Britain.

Sok Touch, deputy director general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia's International Relations Institute, said Abe has intention to play a greater military role in the region.

"Abe's plan clearly shows that Japan is keen to use military forces legally again after it lost in WWII," he said. "It is a concern for Asia because Japan is capable of producing between 20 and 30 nuclear weapons a month due to its resources and expertise."

However, Abe's move to drop the ban on the exercise the right to collective self-defense will be welcomed by Washington, which has long urged Tokyo to take a larger stake in their military alliance.

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki voiced support Monday for Japan's constitutional revision, saying "Japan has... every right to equip themselves in the way they deem necessary."

"We encourage them to do that in a transparent manner, and we remain in touch with them about these important issues," she said.

Abe's perilous obsession has already sent out a dangerous signal. It is high time the Japanese people and the international community jerked Abe back to common sense and stopped him from further befouling Japan's national ethos and undermining regional security.

As for the United States, which fought and defeated Japanese fascists in WWII, it should be wary of its rival-turned-ally's recklessness in case it lifts a rock only to drop it on its own feet.