Before, Japan was well known to be a very militaristic country, having a formidable army rivaling that of the US during WWII. Imperial Japan then had one of the most powerful unit which was called in English, the "divine wind" or 'kamikaze'. They were a special batallion in the fleet which were one of the best fighting air units of Imperial Japan. Gunning down US destroyers then finishing them off by literally crashing down on the US navy. These soldiers were willing to die for a reason a
nd that reason was for their country; much like the modern day suicide bomber. Yet, are these actions noble? In the eyes of the outside world, they may be referred to as "evil" but in the eyes of the Japanese, they are immortalized and are even viewed as heroes who died for the country. Obviously, we can say that history has indeed played a big role and changed the world in the eyes and hearts of many people. Not just long ago, a director named Taku Shinso reenacted the story on how Kamikaze's life was like during the war. The movie was called "I Go to Die For You". Just by seeing the title, you could criticize that it is somewhat like a propaganda were the youth are shown a different view of what the war was like; honorizing these so-called heroes. I could only say one thing in Japanese is that they manipulate history in their own point of view and trying to forget or even cover up their atrocities of war.Now, Japan has renounced war as a means to deal with international relations in Article 9 in the Constitution. Thus, instead of having a military, they were changed into or reshaped as the SDF. Recently, many Japanese youths are drafting themselves in the SDF because of many reasons. One reason from a recruit, Matsu, said that he is willing to die for the country because he felt the need to protect the ones he loved. It is surprising because people thought of him as a regular student, would go to college and someday work in a common company. But it was his passion for going to be in the SDF. For him, dieing and serving the army is an honor.
Recent events has changed the people's perspective in viewing on what's happening in the world today is because m
ainly of the change in the balance of power. China has increased its budget on military funds while Japan is doing the opposite. Another would be the North Korea launched a missle towards Japanese territory which made the people more and more concerned in the issue whether or not it is time for a charter change. Japanese want to act now in an arms race because China and North Korea would target Japan. I think Japanese are worried about this is because knowing the past, these were the countries that Japan had made atrocities with fearing that the two Leftist countries would 'return the favor' to Japan. Yet there are a lot of criticisms for this issue is that one, Japan and US alliance is one the strongest combined military might of today. Japan's SDF is far more superior than that of China's "number is power" army. Japan might have reduced its spending but for a pacifist country the digits are also alarming than that of China. According to Yoichi Masazoe, a Japanese member of the parliament, Japan should address to these problems before it might be too late. Ofcourse, knowing the Japanese pride is a big factor indeed for them. I sensed that it was humiliating that in their deployment in Iraq, they felt weak and helpless.From the Article 9 Association member, Makoto Oda, says that despite all from above stated, Japan should never go to war again. It should remain independent and pursue for peace. For if Japan would go to war again, it might be the end of Japan as we know it. I think it is because he has witnessed the pain and suffering after the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima and he wants it not to happen again, especially the youth today. They do not need to experience a that life as they did. Sadly, the youth don't see it that way. And this is one of the reasons why Japan doesn't want to engage in war again.
Another might be that the LDP has been ruling the Parliament and a change in the Constitution might mean a change in the office. Besides, people are now happy and used to the current system they are experiencing right now, so why change? When the Japanese were introduced to democracy, they opened up their arms and embraced in and turned it into somewhat Japanese. I think these people realized that it is time for another change because Japan learned its lesson in the events after the WWII; much like when Feudal Japan decided to be "renovated" by the Meiji Restoration. I think this is also a reason why the LDP has still a high number of officials in the Diet mainly because of it. Japan is populated more with old people, usually the people who had experienced the aftermath of war and would be happy for it not to happen again even though as I've learned that not all people are happy with the LDP but it is more like there are no one else better to replace them. Japan is always willing to change for the better and as of now, we won't likely see Japan to change it's Constitution. For many outcomes of what they want to contribute for their country is all linked by the word: Love your country even if you die for your country.
Below are links to some videos relating to what I have written:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLTcq8FQvNs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kztlqf0-Xps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvyFw_8w-G4
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