A Turning Point For Japan
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Jeffrey Polet
Document Type
Poster
Event Date
4-15-2016
Abstract
The year 2015 was a politically active year for pacifists and also for the non-politically interested public in Japan. The last year was significant because the Japanese government officially joined the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement and reexamined the right of collective self-defense and the right of the security council. It is not too much to say that Japan is one of the representatives of pacifistic countries. Not just the older generation, but also the younger generations started to worry and recognize the existence of the security council and the right of collective self-defense in Japan. At the press conference in May 15, 2014, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reinterpreted the constitution and argued for a policy of collective self-defense, which marked a turning point in Japan. This policy has proved controversial and has sparked public outcry. Many leftists worried about this new policy which might lead to “war.” The purpose of this project is to understand and comprehend the meaning of the Japanese constitution, the policy of governmental peacekeeping, the right of the collective self-defense, and the authority of the security council to be the leader of the global society to create and balance world peace. These issues need to be considered against the public response. Taken together, they seem to be indicating a new direction for Japan. This research examines the right of collective self-defense, the actions of the security council and Trans-Pacific Partnership, and to discuss the factors that indicate a new direction for Japanese politics.
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