Hughes, Christopher W., Japan’s Remilitarization

Crippled by US drafted pacifist Constitution and growing pressure from the pacifist lobby within the country, Japan adopted a pacifist security policy during the Cold War period and various governments adopted policies such as ban on arms export and related technology, 1% GDP cap on defence spending, three non-nuclear principles and non- use of space for defence purposes. However, these brakes on remilitarisation became less of restraint during the Cold War period as 1% GDP ceiling was first breached in 1986, three nonnuclear principles were weakened with a secret agreement that allows US warships and US aircraft carrying nuclear weapons to stop over in Japan or pass through Japanese airspace or territorial waters. The end of Cold War and new security challenges provided greater impetus to Japan’s remilitarisation. Hughes argues that in the post Cold War period Japan is unshackling its own constraints and says a clear picture can be established of Japan’s long term remilitarisation.

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