Japan security debate masks clash of views on pacifist constitution
http://atimes.com/2015/07/japan-security-debate-masks-clash-of-views-on-pacifist-constitution/
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is is trying to push through unpopular legislation allowing broader use of Japans military
Japan security debate masks clash of views on pacifist constitution
AT Editor on July 14, 2015
(From Reuters)
Is Japans constitution a symbol of peace and respect for universal values or a reminder of humiliating defeat?
As Prime Minister Shinzo Abe rushes to push through unpopular legislation allowing broader use of Japans military, the heated security debate masks a deeper divide over the pacifist charter, drafted by U.S. Occupation officials after Japans World War Two defeat. Admirers view the constitution as the source of Japans peace, prosperity and democracy.
Many of Abes conservative backers, who have long wanted to rewrite the constitution but lacked the political means, view it as a shoddy document written, in the words of one commentary, with malice and vengeance to keep Japan forever subdued
If we keep the constitution GHQ (U.S. Occupation headquarters) gave to a defeated Japan, Japan will always remain a defeated country, says a great-grandfather in a cartoon published recently by Abes Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to explain why the charter should be revised.