Will Japan turn away from pacifism?
About this episode
The episode discusses Japan's potential shift from its pacifist constitution amid growing security concerns in Asia.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi says she wants a vote on amending Japan's constitution, reviving a debate that could reshape the country's Self-Defence Forces, its alliance with the US, and relations across Asia. Japan's post-war constitution has remained unchanged since it came into force in 1947. Its famous 'Article 9' renounces war and appears to prohibit the country from maintaining armed forces. Yet Japan today has one of the world's most advanced armed forces and hosts the largest concentration of US troops overseas. Now, with growing concerns about China's military expansion, North Korea's missile programme, and uncertainty over America's long-term commitment to Asian security, supporters of constitutional reform argue that Japan needs to clarify its defence role and become more self-reliant. Some critics fear it could weaken Japan's pacifist identity, alarm neighbouring countries, and revive memories of Japan's wartime past. In this episode, host Mariko Oi speaks to BBC Tokyo correspondent Kurumi Mori and Financial Times Tokyo bureau chief Leo Lewis about why Japan's constitution is unique, how the country ended up with a military despite Article 9, what Prime…
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