Karen_A._Mingst,_Ivan_M._Arregu_n-Toft]_Essentia

The New Millennium: The First Two De cades 65

straints. Chief among these is the prohibition

against the use of Japa nese armed forces abroad

(contained in Article 9). So, except for humanitar­

ian operations, Japan’s defense forces are cur­

rently prohibited from deploying abroad.

Japan’s historical experience constrains con­

temporary actions. Many historians argue that

during World War II, Japan’s enemies and the vic­

tims of its military campaigns came to understand

Japan’s aggression and brutal conduct in war time

occupation as a national or race characteristic,

rather than as bad leadership. The Rape of Nan­

king described at the beginning of the chapter is

an example of the horrors during that time. This

history is why a constitutional constraint on the

use of Japan’s armed forces abroad seemed

sensible to many in 1945. This contrasts with

the case of Germany’s Third Reich, the other

major aggressor in World War II. In that case,

blame largely fell on Germany’s leader, Adolf

Hitler, although many believed that something

in German culture made Germans more warlike

and brutal as a nation. Constraints, too, were put

on the German military under the new consti­

tution. Are these constraints still relevant?

Times do change; norms change. Should con­

stitutions change with them? If so, how and how

quickly? There is an on going debate in both Japan

and Germany over this question. In the case of

Japan, is the restraint on use of military force abroad

still a useful way to protect its citizens from terrorism

or other abuses committed outside of Japan? Does

this restraint on the use of military force diminish

Japan’s power more generally? When can Japan

become a “normal” state again— one able to pro­

tect its national interest like other states do?

For CritiCal analy sis

1. Should Japan be trusted to send its armed forces abroad today? Why or why not?


2. How long should the consequences of historical events affect current po liti cal decisions
   and institutions?


3. What are some factors that would encourage a nation to move beyond historical lessons?

a. Martin Fackler, “Beheadings Frame a New Debate About Restraints on Japan’s Military,” New York Times,

February 3, 2015.

ESSIR7_CH02_020_069_11P.indd 65 6/14/16 10:02 AM