Japan plans to change its pacifist constitution

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article328708.ece

Japan's ruling party has announced plans to change the country's pacifist constitution and give the armed forces a more assertive international role.

At a rally to mark the Liberal Democratic Party's 50th anniversary yesterday, thePrime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi,urged Japan to pull its weight as the world's second biggest economy by co-operating more with the international community.

"We need to take up the challenges of strife and conflict that may face international society over the next 50 years," Mr Koizumi said.

Japan's constitution, drafted by the US in 1947, bars the country from employing military force in international disputes and prohibits it from having a military for warfare. But Japan has interpreted the constitution to mean it can maintain a 240,000-strong self-defence force
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How times change Japan and Germany are starting to arm themselves...realizing America can't protect them!!!

Well, good for Japan, but nations like Japan, Germany and former Axis powers (including Vichy France) are becoming worrysome to people inside their nations or outside or both inside and outside. Hence, the idea that Japan wants to become more militaristic and less pacific goes in line with current trends. However, Japan and other nations that want to return to the past must know that most victims of past policies made by the former militaristic nations are going to make the nuclear proliferation system crumble. Nations like the Melanesian Union, Australia, New Zealand, much of Africa, Latin America are not going to keep sending their scientists overseas, they are going to keep them at home to help build the type of protection they will need in the future. Obviously, as nations like China, India and Russia become more powerful, Japan may feel threatened. Yet, there are others in the region (Pacific) who will feel threatened by Japan's new agenda. After all, Japan used to be a 'third' world nation like most other nations during the 1700's and mid 1800's, while many Third World nations - some who export critical minerals and resources to places like Japan, were very powerful and wealthy civilizations as recently as the 1800's. (See Susu Economics," pub. by www.AuthorHouse.com ) Nubianem http://community.webtv.net/nubianem

This will force Japan, South Korea, and the United States to increase their presence in the region.

This is no surprise.