"Hawk" Shinzo Abe and authoritarian Japan

25
A few days ago, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that he would seek a change in the constitution, and not only the abolition of the ninth article. Analysts fear that the Land of the Rising Sun will turn into an autocratic state with all the ensuing consequences. In addition, it is not the first time when Abe makes it clear to the world community that Japan is about to turn from a pacifist state into a militaristic state.

"Hawk" Shinzo Abe and authoritarian Japan


Shinzo Abe made it clear that he would seek the abolition of the "peace article", which prohibits the direction of the Japanese military abroad, said recently "Russian newspaper".

"I want to make a more active public discussion of the question of what our constitution should be in order to meet the realities of the new era," Abe said, speaking to members of the lower house of parliament.

The Japanese hawk also announced that "it will work steadily and steadily to change the constitution based on the results of the discussion."

Such statements have led analysts to declare about the autocracy, which is coming in the Land of the Rising Sun. And Abe is the face of this autocracy.

"The Japan Times" reprinted an article by Noah Smith from Bloomberg.

American Noa Smith is an assistant professor of finance at Stony Brook University (Stony Brook University) and an independent publicist working with a number of financial and business publications (source). He also runs an author blog. "Noahpinion" on the blogger.com platform.

The author reveals a global shift trend from illiberal democracy to authoritarianism and a departure from the concept of human rights. Unfortunately, he notes, “Japan also makes this mistake.”

Yes, although Prime Minister Shinzo Abe carried out some liberal reforms (gave impetus to equality for working women and spoke in favor of increasing immigration, and the country recently recently lifted the ban on dancing in clubs), all this may not matter if the party Abe will change the constitution.

The Liberal Democratic Party ruled Japan for most of the post-war stories. Party philosophy originates from the militaristic period. Of course, party members "did not fully understand" the values ​​that the United States introduced during the American occupation, the author writes. Today, the "faction" of the undeveloped seems to be "dominant in the party."

The LDP is now leading a campaign to abandon the Constitution created according to Washington’s templates. According to the new draft, articles of constitutional provisions based on the Western European theory of natural human rights should be changed. The project provides for various restrictions that may be imposed by the state for the sake of “public interest and public order”. The draft constitution also insists on the rejection of the separation of church and state.

Even worse, Smith continues, the new project adds six new “commitments” that citizens must strictly follow. Some of them are vague, but do not bear direct harm. But the three points are an obvious step “towards autocracy”:

"People should be aware that, along with freedoms and rights, there are duties and responsibilities."

"People must act in accordance with the public interest and public order."

"The people must obey the orders of the state or its subordinate departments in a state of emergency."


According to the analyst, a similar place somewhere in China or Russia, but not in Japan. Words about the “state of emergency” are a way to disperse demonstrations practiced by many dictators from the Middle East.

The nature of such a project is an American publicist finds "deeply illiberal."

However, the West does not see this point-blank. The West fears only a revision of Article 9 of the current constitution, which prohibits Japan from having an army.

But the new project just cancels the article 9.

However, Japan already has an army (“Self-Defense Force”) and interprets the existing provision on demilitarization “so freely,” the author writes that it is unlikely that the abolition of an 9 article will “change much”.

Another thing is that the new constitution will encroach on the freedom of the Japanese people. And the Japanese people do not want to live in an illiberal state, the analyst notes. More than 80% of the Japanese spoke out against the “state secret” law passed by the Abe government. People also oppose attempts to facilitate constitutional review procedures. The Japanese people appreciate freedom very much, despite the fact that the foreign power initially introduced this freedom. This freedom they enjoyed over the past seven decades.

According to Smith, the adoption of the draft LDP can lead to a catastrophe of international relations. If Japan chooses that illiberal democracy that is “now in vogue in Turkey and Hungary,” this may lead to a weakening of the country's regional attractiveness as an alternative to the “repressive Chinese state.”

At the same time, this will lead to a weakening of the US-Japan alliance: without cementing common values, the US may be tempted to take a “more neutral position between illiberal China and mostly illiberal Japan.”

The optimal solution, the publicist believes, would be for Japan to repeal article 9 of the Constitution while keeping the remaining articles intact.

Shinzo Abe leads a very conservative policy, told the newspaper "Sight" Head of the Center for Japanese Studies at the Institute of Far Eastern Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences Valery Kistanov. Moreover, the "right" policy is characteristic both for the external environment and for the internal one. The desire to amend the constitution, limiting civil liberties, confirms this.

Kistanov says: “We do not see the first signal that Abe is going to“ tighten the screws. ” Recently, a law “On State Secrets” was passed, which implies criminal penalties for disclosing information that, in the opinion of the government, may be of a secret nature. This is seen in Japan as an attack on free speech. The last proposed changes also represent nothing more than a manifestation of restrictions on civil rights and freedoms. ” And the discontent of the population will not prevent the “hawk” from making changes: “Abe is going ahead, pushing his nationalist“ right ”course.

As for the ninth article, which practically prohibits Japan from using force in solving international conflicts, the United States supports the decision of Abe to abandon it.

This is not surprising, add from myself. Indeed, earlier, last summer, the Japanese government adopted a resolution allowing the armed forces to act on the territory of other countries. The main condition that Japan has set for itself: the need to protect "friendly countries".

What are these countries, of course. Japan gathered to defend the United States.

Recall the July report of the Associated Press, cited by the Washington Post (translation - "InoSMI"):

“Since Japan's defeat in World War II, its army has been shackled by the constraints imposed by the victorious US, and after a while most Japanese adopted this (concept). Now the shackles are loosening. The Japanese cabinet on Tuesday approved a new interpretation of the country's pacifist post-war constitution, which now allows the army to help defend allies and other countries that have “close relations” with Japan in a concept known as “collective self-defense” ... <...> Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the changes are necessary to protect the lives of the Japanese in an increasingly security-strained environment. Japanese warships can help protect the American ships guarding Japan, he said.


It sounds almost like "Japan will protect America."

Washington immediately welcomed the resolution. An incomparable psaki appeared. “Japan has every right to equip itself as it sees fit. We urge her to do it in a transparent manner and continue to constantly keep in touch with her about this, ”quotes the spokeswoman for the US State Department. Rosbalt.

It’s easy to find the origins of the White House’s approval: “legally” the belligerent Land of the Rising Sun is needed by Washington to contain China.

So, Japan is a state that should play a certain (apparently first-planed) role in Washington’s confrontation with the growing Beijing. The Chinese power is growing before our eyes, and the American bosses, who still claim hegemony, are not like it.

The result is that Shinzo Abe in the reshaping of the ninth article of the constitution relies not on the opinion of his people, but on ... the approval of the American president.

Observed and translated by Oleg Chuvakin
- especially for topwar.ru
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    1. +6
      5 March 2015 05: 31
      Oh, citizens of the Japanese, no matter how you get this cancellation backwards. You will be beaten by the Russians once again if you are smart enough to try to start a war with Russia. Remember the defeat of the "invincible" Kwantung Army in 3 weeks by Soviet troops.
      1. -6
        5 March 2015 06: 42
        It may be enough to carry a frank heresy. The Kwantung army and tra-ta-ta ... All this was in the 1945 year and since then much has changed. Yes, there is MUCH - EVERYTHING CHANGED. The desire to have a decent army is quite normal and can only be welcomed in order to prevent dominance in the region of China.
        1. +5
          5 March 2015 07: 41
          It is believed that China will dominate and Japan will not fix it.
        2. +1
          5 March 2015 20: 22
          Quote: Kibalchish
          The desire to have a decent army is quite normal


          This "normal" desire will go badly for Japan - the Americans are using them as a "card" against China and Russia. And possibly as "cannon fodder"

          In this situation, Shinzo Abe does not act in the interests of ordinary Japanese, but in the interests of the FRS and the states. It would be better for the Japanese to remain "peaceful" and generally neutral and sit on the island. Neither the Russian Federation nor China are going to "attack" Japan - on the contrary - Japan has always been the aggressor
      2. Boos
        +7
        5 March 2015 06: 52
        At the moment, it seems that the history of the conflicts between Russia and Japan is consciously hushed up. But we must remember Hassan, Khalkhin-Gol (battles on Mount Bain-Tsagan) and of course the defeat of the Kwantung Army. These victories washed away the stain of shame from the Russo-Japanese War, as Joseph Vissarionovich said.
        1. -1
          5 March 2015 07: 39
          Washed off. But usually they hold back the influence of the 1905 revolution, which, like today's Maidan, was created against Russia. Can you imagine what would happen to the USSR if we had a revolution in 1942 ???
          1. +1
            5 March 2015 11: 32
            Quote: VseDoFeNi
            Can you imagine what would happen to the USSR if we had a revolution in 1942 ???

            So that there was no repetition of 1917 and staged 1937-1938. A sort of "error correction".

            So that no one could even think about the situation: "Kalinin, Molotov and Voroshilov at the critical moment of the war demand the abdication of the temporary detention center, and Zhukov, Tymoshenko and Vasilevsky send telegrams in support of them".
        2. +4
          5 March 2015 09: 50
          It is not only the conflict with Russia that is hushed up, but the conflict with Korea and China that is hushed up. The 30-year occupation of Korea and the Nanking massacre are unlikely to be forgotten in the foreseeable future, in these countries no one has forgotten anything. So Russia, with the right approach, has every chance to look at the outcome of these conflicts from the side.
      3. Hon
        0
        5 March 2015 14: 48
        They’re not going to fight with us, the Japanese are counting well, so they didn’t back up on us when Hitler so needed it. however, do not underestimate them, the forces of self-defense have long turned into a powerful army, well-armed, funded and trained. There is a solid defense industry. in 1905, the Japanese army was weaker than the Russian, but they won the war.
      4. +1
        5 March 2015 21: 41
        Quote: VseDoFeNi
        Oh, Japanese citizens, how would you like this cancellation did not come out sideways. You will be beaten once again Russian, if you are smart enough to try to start a war with Russia.

        Russians will be beaten - that goes without saying. But it will be funnier if Japan gathers strength at the filing of the USA (as usual), then gets out of the control of the USA (as usual), the US project to create a counterbalance to China will turn into something else (as usual) and then the Japanese will remember with whom they last fought, who built concentration camps in the USA for the Japanese and, of course, about two nuclear bombs. And then the emboldened and stronger Japan, out of US control, wants to repeat the show called "Pearl Harbor" ... Only at a higher technological level. That's where we laugh - full bushy!
      5. 0
        5 March 2015 23: 26
        I agree with you. the phrase struck me the most:
        Since the defeat of Japan in World War II, her army was constrained by the restrictions imposed by the winner - the United States, ...

        and the USSR is not at all involved, as if. nevertheless, it was the opening of the second front that was perfectly prepared and hardened in the battles of the Second World Army of the Soviet Union, buried all of Japan’s ambitions, and forced it to surrender, not the American atomic bombing of peaceful cities.
      6. 0
        6 March 2015 00: 50
        Small bug - yes stinky.
    2. Wick
      -2
      5 March 2015 05: 51
      Well, if we went 70 years ago, then let's 90. The Russo-Japanese War also took place. Why, when someone raises their budget, then many Siazu shout "do you want Russia? But if you look soberly, then Japan will be able to concentrate its fleet and aviation on the theater of operations against the Kuriles and Russia will have problems" solved "with the solution of this problem. But I do not think that The Kuril Islands are worth it. China is a different story, I think the task of the Japanese is to contain the Celestial Empire.
      1. The comment was deleted.
        1. -8
          5 March 2015 07: 02
          Quote: silver169
          Kuril Islands, this is Russian land

          In terms of historically populated by a Slavic ethnic group from time immemorial?
          Is Chukotka also Russian land?
          1. +6
            5 March 2015 07: 12
            That's right. And Chukotka. And Yakutia-Sakha. And Bashkiria with Tatarstan. Everything that is within the borders of the Russian Federation.
            1. -1
              5 March 2015 07: 42
              Quote: silver169
              And Chukotka. And Yakutia-Sakha. And Bashkiria with Tatarstan. Everything that is within the borders of the Russian Federation.



              I would add, and Alyasochka was ours, until the boobies sold it for nothing, but in fact they gave it away.
              1. +3
                5 March 2015 08: 26
                Alaska right down to California.
              2. 0
                5 March 2015 13: 00
                if Alaska had not been sold at that time, the United States would have been taken away by force, just as Texas had been taken from Mexico. And then there would be another black and shameful date in history!
          2. Boos
            +3
            5 March 2015 07: 18
            Where Russian blood was shed, there is Russian land. Have you heard about the Ainu? This people inhabited the present "Japanese" islands. They still exist, but few of them remain. They are bearded and their skin is white. They even say the Japanese adopted the "Bushido Code" from them, as well as many other things. Why be surprised? Asians will always be good copiers.
            1. 0
              5 March 2015 11: 42
              Quote: Boos
              Where Russian blood was shed, there is Russian land.

              Berliners, Parisians and Romans tensed ... laughing
              1. 0
                5 March 2015 15: 16
                Quote: Alexey RA
                Berliners, Parisians and Romans tensed ...


                That's how it has somehow historically developed that the World is a citizen of Russia. laughing
          3. 0
            5 March 2015 10: 09
            Quote: Nayhas
            Quote: silver169
            Kuril Islands, this is Russian land

            In terms of historically populated by a Slavic ethnic group from time immemorial?
            Is Chukotka also Russian land?


            But is it not time for you to return to the promised land?

            But where is she, this land in fact ... historically so to speak ?! laughing
        2. Wick
          -2
          5 March 2015 07: 11
          Don’t shut up my mouth. I will talk about what I want when I want. Stomp back to your kangaroo.
      2. 0
        5 March 2015 06: 44
        Adequate look. Plus.
      3. Boos
        0
        5 March 2015 06: 57
        Then, if the Japanese commit such stupidity, they simply will have nowhere to return.
    3. +1
      5 March 2015 06: 25
      Japanese politicians, you need to take it once a month on an excursion to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, refresh your memory ... maybe there will be less desire to bend under the states.
    4. +4
      5 March 2015 06: 29
      Find the difference)
    5. +3
      5 March 2015 06: 40
      Usa wants to fight with the wrong hands! Learned from the Anglo-Saxons! those are geeks!
      1. +3
        5 March 2015 06: 47
        Knowing the Japanese well, I will say that they are unlikely to fight for the States. Only for myself.
    6. +2
      5 March 2015 07: 05
      Allowed to dance in clubs is very much of course ...
      Do not go to a fortuneteller where the wind is blowing from, the United States is fueling the situation in the region around China, and here the interests of Japan and the United States simply intersect, Japan wants to have a normal army and military doctrine next to a formidable neighbor, and the United States to make China and Russia controversial for Japan Kuril Islands.
    7. +2
      5 March 2015 07: 40
      The situation is reminiscent of the 20-30s of the 20th century. Japan's economy in a crisis of 200 percent of debt from GDP needs to solve its problems at someone else's expense. The same was true in Germany. The war is almost inevitable.
    8. +1
      5 March 2015 09: 22
      Let the yapis arm themselves. But. Japan is occupied by America. The change in terms of military reform is pushing for action in conjunction with America. Even the analogies with Poroshenko and the Armed Forces of Ukraine are just as kapets pop up. There is also an army for America to fight in America's favor.
    9. +1
      5 March 2015 10: 13
      That's it! The 1945 vaccine has ceased to work. Or Japan has been "decoded" - it does not change the essence ...
    10. Robespierre9
      -1
      5 March 2015 11: 06
      A good counterweight to China, let them build tanks and climb to China.
      1. zavesa01
        +1
        5 March 2015 13: 47
        They are just not going to climb to China.
        1. Robespierre9
          0
          6 March 2015 00: 28
          Those who are weaker - they climb on that, we will chew snot - they will climb on us, no - on some kind of Korea.
    11. +3
      5 March 2015 11: 47
      Something early the Japanese forgot Nogosaki and Hiroshima. Friendship with mattresses are. And hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians killed by the Americans were forgotten.
    12. +2
      5 March 2015 15: 12
      As if there was no new war, where they all climb, history does not teach anything!
    13. 0
      5 March 2015 23: 57
      For 70 years, evil has risen and gained strength. Germany and Japan fully recovered and strengthened. And you Yankees, wanting to create enemies for Russia, created them for the whole world. Germany has already captured almost all of Europe (the so-called EU). I won’t be surprised if Merkel repeats the fate of Weimar politicians. And it’s real dangerously. I’m afraid that we won’t survive without China and the DPRK (the population of Russia is less than 150 million, and Germany alone is already approaching 90, and there are the Netherlands, Austria, Spain, Romania, banderlogs and other Natsiks).

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