re: Is the South China Sea on the brink of war?

quote:

---

Just allowing Japan to rearm would solve alot of the problem.

---

quote:

---

One of the paradoxes of Japanese politics is that the postwar pacifist charter became more popular with the nation it was imposed on than with the one that imposed it. As far back as the 1950s Washington was ready to see Japan rearm and share more of the burden in the Cold War. But Japan embraced its new identity as a peace nation. Article 9 was interpreted to allow a limited Self-Defense Force, but one barred from any belligerent fighting. As a result, the US alliance with Japan is highly asymmetrical — American forces are pledged to defend Japan if it is attacked, but the responsibility doesn’t go the other way.

Security-minded Japanese leaders have tried to change Japan’s defense policy, but until recently Article 9 has been an untouchable barrier.

---