By Joseph A. Bosco
The region should welcome greater engagement by democratic Japan.
Americans and Asians should applaud Prime Minister Shinto Abe’s impassioned speech before the Japanese Diet urging its support for “the most drastic reforms since the end of World War II.” The intended reform that most impacts regional security is a change to Article 9 of the Constitution which restricts Japan’s military capabilities.
Removing some of the limitations on Japan’s national defense posture would enable America’s key Asian ally to play an even more positive and proactive role in regional and international security. An economically and militarily strong Japan harnessed to democratic principles is an inherently good thing for the region and the world.
Abe was attempting to assuage concerns about a resurgent Japan when he assured all that Japan has learned the painful lessons of its experiences in the last century. “Japan has earnestly built up a free and democratic nation based on feelings of deep remorse regarding WWII and contributed to peace and prosperity in the world. Taking pride in this, we must be a nation that contributes even more to peace and stability in the world.”
Japanese officials have made similar statements in the past but this time Japan’s neighbors have good reason finally and unconditionally accept Abe’s words as an official apology and put the past to rest, particularly as Abe expressed it in the context of Japan’s emergence as a democratic nation. (The one remaining unresolved issue is compensation for the “comfort women.”
Read the full story at The Diplomat