Japan, having long paid its penance and then some, is about to consider strengthening its national role in its own defense.
Japan’s ruling party is considering constitutional revisions for setting up a self-defense military force and also making the emperor the head of the state.
The Liberal Democratic Party agreed Wednesday to start full discussions on revising the constitution based on a draft outline calling for these measures, the Kyodo news service reported.
Under the revisions, Japan will be able to exercise the right to collective self-defense and the Self-Defense Forces will be allowed to take charge of domestic security when mobilized by the premier and use force as part of international peacekeeping efforts.
Under its present constitution, Japan is forbidden from exercising the right to collective self-defense.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said efforts to realize the preliminary proposals will start in the fall of next year. But the proposal may have a tough time in parliament because of opposition from other parties.
The draft also proposes allowing a female member of the imperial family to take the throne. Koizumi told reporters at his office, “I think the Japanese public mostly accepts it.”
This is long beyond due, and needed to match the country’s economic and diplomatic importance in the Pacific Rim region and worldwide.