By Ankit Panda
A Japanese government panel will recommend that Japan remove its ban on collective self-defense.
A 14-member Japanese panel said on Tuesday that a revision to Japan’s constitutional ban on collective defense will be possible should the government of Japan alter its current interpretation of the constitution, the Associated Press reports. The panel, headed by former Japanese ambassador to the United States Shunji Yanai discussed methods by which Japan can improve its defense capabilities and will issue a final recommendation in the coming weeks. The panel was created after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that Japan’s self-imposed ban on collective self-defense would be reviewed.
Collective defense refers to an arrangement where participating states commit to support each other in the case of an attack by an outside state. For Japan, revising its stance on collective defense will have an important effect on its relationship with the United States. The two states share a security treaty and the U.S. fields a large military presence in Japan.
The news of the panel’s recommendations comes after Japan announced a new defense budget, a controversial state secrets law, and the creation of a national security council. Prime Minister Abe is in favor of normalizing Japan and supports the easing of Japan’s constitutional restrictions on military planning. Under Article 9 of the Japanese constitution, Japan is entitled to self-defense only and is unable to acquire military hardware that could be construed to aid in offensive activities. On Tuesday. Abe told the panel that ”Japan’s preparation for national security threats in the region is not sufficient.” He added that Japan “must cover all the bases to protect the people’s lives and safety in any possible scenario.”
Read the full story at The Diplomat