After 75 Years of Pacifism Is It Time For Japan To Rise Again?

Japan as it hosts the G7 nations faces a dilemma. Japan has been a pacifist nation for 75 years. WWII ended for Japan with atomic bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. The destruction of these cities and the massive loss of life convinced Japan to surrender. There then followed an American occupation which transformed Japan into a Western democracy. The Emperor became a constitutional monarchy. Japan's constitution forbade Japan to ever take up arms again. Japan had ruled over its conquered territories with brutality.

Japan emerged as a Western democracy and became an economic superpower. Its motorcycles, cars, technology, etc, are world-renowned. Japan has maintained a powerful armed forces. Its Navy, Army, and Airforce remain strong although they are only to be used for the defence of the nation. Under the current constitution, Japan cannot take offensive action. Assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pushed the envelope to allow Japan to be more assertive. More assertive on the world stage with regard to its military. Fumio Kishida the present Prime Minister is well aware of the challenges the country faces.

Japan was always a martial society. Everyone on the planet knows or should know the legend of the Samurai. These warriors dominated Japanese society for centuries. Japan used the warrior spirit of the Samurai during WWII to garner the nation's fighting spirit. Even though Japan renounced war as an option after WWII Samurai still exist. The code of Bushido that governed the Samurai's life (much like Chivalry in the West) has not been forgotten.

Japan's challenges today are China and North Korea. These countries represent a clear and present danger to the nation. North Korea is forever test-firing missiles that fly over or near Japan's territory. Kim Jong-Un remains a danger to the region. China under President Xi is also a threat to nations like South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, India, Taiwan, and of course, Japan.

Japan knows it has to meet these challenges. Its pacifist constitution may have to allow for a more assertive and offensive Japan. Japan has a US base in Okinawa. Since WWII Japan has come under the protective umbrella of the US. As have nations like South Korea in the region. However, it seems the US (the former enemy of Japan) has no problem with Japan increasing its defence spending. For 2023 Japan must up its defence spending to 6.8 billion. Even then experts reckon this will not be enough. This shows the challenge and threat posed to Japan by China and North Korea that the nation must face.

Many worry about a resurgent Japan. Given the nation's brutal assault on surrounding nations during WWII. Japan has extreme nationalists that would like to see the country as an imperial military power. Just as Japan has many that favour continuing the non-violent Japan of the last 75 years.

Never mind China or North Korea. Should we long-term be worried about a resurgent Japan? As Japan spends more on defence to meet the threats that surround it? Right now no. Japan remains allied to the West and in particular, the United States. If Japan wishes to resurrect that warrior spirit to meet the challenges of the 21st century why not? It is unlikely extremists would hijack the Japanese government. To take Japan back to the imperial conquering nation it once was. That's not to say it couldn't happen but right now it is unlikely.

Japan has nuclear power plants. Japan could easily create a nuclear weapon. However, it remembers the devastating attacks by the Americans on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan remains the only country on the planet to suffer a nuclear attack.

The G7 Nations meeting in Hiroshima would do well to remember this. As they laid wreathes in Hiroshima the enormity of nuclear weapons would be clear to them. Even now a nuclear war could happen. However, it is the thought of the absolute destruction that these weapons bring. This thought has kept the peace for decades between enemies. Will it be enough now to keep a war using nukes from happening today?