Regarding Japan's recent move to overturn its pacifist defense policy: Japan's recent move to amend provisions of its postwar Constitution, which bans mobilization of its armed forces to settle disputes overseas is more alarming than it looks.
While it is true that the U.N. Charter guarantees "collective self-defense," it should not be employed as a pretext to serve specific interests, as demonstrated in Prime Minister Abe's persistent effort to invoke the clause when arguing for Japan's proactive self-defense via the mobilization of armed forces.
Moreover, Japan is still entrenched in postwar conflicts, one of which is the seemingly never solvable "comfort women," or forced sexual slavery issue. Settlement of the issue is a priority. Without such a settlement in the first place, including a promise never to repeat or approve such a horrific war crime, no one knows if we may once again see a similar chapter in history.
Choi Si-young
Editing adviser, Yonsei European studies at Yonsei University, Seoul
While it is true that the U.N. Charter guarantees "collective self-defense," it should not be employed as a pretext to serve specific interests, as demonstrated in Prime Minister Abe's persistent effort to invoke the clause when arguing for Japan's proactive self-defense via the mobilization of armed forces.
Moreover, Japan is still entrenched in postwar conflicts, one of which is the seemingly never solvable "comfort women," or forced sexual slavery issue. Settlement of the issue is a priority. Without such a settlement in the first place, including a promise never to repeat or approve such a horrific war crime, no one knows if we may once again see a similar chapter in history.
Choi Si-young
Editing adviser, Yonsei European studies at Yonsei University, Seoul
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