US helps Jap militarism rise again?

[Aikins]

You know what? I begin to think that the USA turns out to be the key destabilizing factor in the world. See for yourself, it was certainly not for naught that after Second World War international legislation actually banned Japan from having regular military forces. Nowadays, Japan only has national self-defense forces that are not allowed to leave the territory of that country. But it is true that in a very short while things might change. All because the US put chestnuts in the fire of Afghanistan and now is looking for someone to pull ‘em out of it. Washington needs to have a new blood in Afghanistan so the White House decided to involve Japan into military operations in Central Asia; this is why the US gave an OK in principle for restoration of Japanese military forces. Except that, Japs are going to be thrown into mere hell – the territory at the border with Pakistan. Somehow they in the White House believe that this mission is going to be exactly successful owing to close contacts between official Tokyo and Islamabad. But won’t that be like releasing the evil-minded genie from the bottle? The entire world had an opportunity to learn by experience the might of Japanese blood and iron. That was dreadful indeed!

[Zel]

I dont see your point at all. Japan does not need the approval of the United States when it comes to military rearmament. The peace treaty of San Francisco with Japan does not include any such clauses that would prevent Japan from acquiring a military force that could be used for force projection. Actually there are parts of the treaty that would even suggest the opposite - namely that Japan "is to give the United Nations every in any action it takes in accordance with the Charter" [...]. That would also include military support if called for by the UN in the case of a violation of the UN Charter by a third party.

Japan itself though when crafting a new constitution included an article that held it to pacifism (Article 9 of the Japanese constitution). During the Korean War, which basically left Japan without any meaningful defence after the US pulled out its troop contingent to fight in Korea a police force was created that became the core of what would become the JSDF (Japanese Self Defence Force). In contrast to what it is called, the JSDF is a very potent military force, that is especially well equiped and trained compared to other military forces of the region (including an up to date airforce and relativly large navy).

Since the inception of the constitution article 9 has often been in the center of debate within the Japanese society. Including the ritual suicide of a Japanese former officer after he had barricaded himself in a JSDF builiding in protest of article 9. Especially since the late ninetees there has been an ongoing debate wheter Japan should change its constitution and officially reestablish a military force (which would only be a declaration, as the force already is there in form of the JSDF).

The other part is the US involvement. Within the context of the Japanese debate the US isnt realy involved as a player, though it probably has at least some interest in Japan taking a more proactive role in the Western pacific area. Apart from that Japan was asked to contribute to the war in Iraq (which it did - though only with unarmed personel) and now in Afghanistan. Beeing an ally of the US and the second largest economy on the planet, id say thats an expected move. But id seperate that from the discussion about article 9 in itself in Japan. It may have an effect on public oppinion on wheter they should change it or not but I have yet to hear a report about Japan wanting to change the article because the US wants Japanese troops in Afghanistan.