Why Doesn’t Japan Legally Have an Army?

At first glance, thinking that Japan does not have military power, It may seem illogical but The law doesn’t say so. Despite everything, they actually have an army.

To clarify the paradoxical situation, historical and political context We need to take a look.

Its roots are in Japan’s World War II. It is based on the post-World War II constitution.

When the Korean War broke out in 1950, the United States was invading Japan and they feared Chinese and Soviet communist forces in Korea.

During this period, the occupation forces and the Japanese government revised Japan’s post-war constitution. military actions in self-defense made it possible and established the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).

signed between the United States and Japan with the new security agreement Japan pursued partial rearmament.

Although Japan’s armed forces have not taken offensive action since then continued its active existence.

So why doesn’t Japan officially have an army?

II. in World War After the defeat, Japan was prohibited from having its own army in order to prevent a repeat of militarism and expansionism.

Article 9 of Japan’s Constitution prohibits the creation of any armed group. expressly prohibits it. Officially, the Self-Defense Forces are considered a civilian organization and therefore the term “military” is not used.

However, former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe said that Article 9 would be amended to prevent the existence of the JSDF. to be clearly recognized He stated that he wanted. The proposed amendment had been a subject of debate in Japan for a long time, and the public did not welcome it.

In the post-Cold War period, Japan’s military capacity was limited only to self-defense.

During the Gulf Crisis in 1991, Japan provided financial aid and not sending soldiers criticized.

In the following years, Japan became more active in peacekeeping and reconstruction operations. North Korea’s missile tests and sarin gas attacks contributed to increasing Japan’s military capacity.

Especially the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995 and 2011 After the Fukushima nuclear disaster JSDF’s disaster relief efforts have won public recognition.

Today, the JSDF responds quickly to natural disasters and participates in missions abroad. China’s efforts to build islands in disputed waters And considering North Korea’s nuclear weapons tests, it makes sense that they have military power at their disposal.

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