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Japan cabinet approves landmark military change | Japan cabinet approves landmark military change |
(35 minutes later) | |
Japan's cabinet has approved a landmark change in security policy, paving the way for its military to fight overseas. | Japan's cabinet has approved a landmark change in security policy, paving the way for its military to fight overseas. |
Under its constitution, Japan is barred from using force to resolve conflicts except in cases of self-defence. | Under its constitution, Japan is barred from using force to resolve conflicts except in cases of self-defence. |
But a reinterpretation of the law will now allow "collective self-defence" - using force to defend allies under attack. | But a reinterpretation of the law will now allow "collective self-defence" - using force to defend allies under attack. |
PM Shinzo Abe has been pushing hard for the move, arguing Japan needs to adapt to a changing security environment. | PM Shinzo Abe has been pushing hard for the move, arguing Japan needs to adapt to a changing security environment. |
"No matter what the circumstances, I will protect Japanese people's lives and peaceful existence," he told journalists after the change was approved. | "No matter what the circumstances, I will protect Japanese people's lives and peaceful existence," he told journalists after the change was approved. |
The decision must be passed by parliament, which the ruling bloc controls. But by reinterpreting rather than revising the constitution, Mr Abe avoids the need for a public referendum. | The decision must be passed by parliament, which the ruling bloc controls. But by reinterpreting rather than revising the constitution, Mr Abe avoids the need for a public referendum. |
The US - with whom Japan has a decades-old security alliance - will welcome the move, but it will anger China, with whom Japan's ties are already very strained. | The US - with whom Japan has a decades-old security alliance - will welcome the move, but it will anger China, with whom Japan's ties are already very strained. |
The decision is also highly controversial in a nation where post-war pacifist identify is firmly entrenched. | The decision is also highly controversial in a nation where post-war pacifist identify is firmly entrenched. |
On Sunday a man set himself on fire in central Tokyo to protest against the change. | On Sunday a man set himself on fire in central Tokyo to protest against the change. |
'No recovery' | 'No recovery' |
Mr Abe first endorsed the move in May, after a panel of his advisers released a report recommending changes to defence laws. | Mr Abe first endorsed the move in May, after a panel of his advisers released a report recommending changes to defence laws. |
Japan adopted its pacifist constitution after its surrender in World War Two. Since then, its troops have not engaged in combat, although small numbers have taken part in UN peace-keeping operations. | Japan adopted its pacifist constitution after its surrender in World War Two. Since then, its troops have not engaged in combat, although small numbers have taken part in UN peace-keeping operations. |
What is collective self-defence? | What is collective self-defence? |
It has long held the view that under international law, it has the right to collective self-defence, but - until today - said it could not exercise that right because of constitutional limits. | It has long held the view that under international law, it has the right to collective self-defence, but - until today - said it could not exercise that right because of constitutional limits. |
Mr Abe emphasised that the change would not lead to involvement in foreign wars. | Mr Abe emphasised that the change would not lead to involvement in foreign wars. |
"There is a misunderstanding that Japan will be involved in war in an effort to defend a foreign country, but this is out of the question," he told the press conference. | "There is a misunderstanding that Japan will be involved in war in an effort to defend a foreign country, but this is out of the question," he told the press conference. |
"It will be strictly a defensive measure to defend our people. We will not resort to the use of force in order to defend foreign forces." | "It will be strictly a defensive measure to defend our people. We will not resort to the use of force in order to defend foreign forces." |
On Monday, thousands of people joined a protest in Tokyo to oppose the change. | On Monday, thousands of people joined a protest in Tokyo to oppose the change. |
Critics of Mr Abe fear that this move is the first step to a more permanent revision or removal of the war-renouncing Article 9 of the constitution. | Critics of Mr Abe fear that this move is the first step to a more permanent revision or removal of the war-renouncing Article 9 of the constitution. |
"I thought that if we don't stop the Abe government now then it won't be possible to recover," Etsuo Nakashima, 32, told Reuters news agency. | "I thought that if we don't stop the Abe government now then it won't be possible to recover," Etsuo Nakashima, 32, told Reuters news agency. |
But others believe that the constitution is a post-war relic imposed on Japan by the US that restricts it from engaging in the normal activities of a modern nation. | But others believe that the constitution is a post-war relic imposed on Japan by the US that restricts it from engaging in the normal activities of a modern nation. |
China - with whom Japan is currently engaged in a bitter territorial dispute - says it opposes the change, accusing Japan of "remilitarising" under Mr Abe. | China - with whom Japan is currently engaged in a bitter territorial dispute - says it opposes the change, accusing Japan of "remilitarising" under Mr Abe. |
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that the new policy "raises doubts about Japan's approach to peaceful development", and accused Japan of "hyping the China threat". | |
"We urge Japan to sincerely respect the rightful concerns of neighbouring Asian countries, diligently solve any related issues, and not affect China's rights and the stability of the region," he said. | |
South Korea has also raised objections, saying it will "not tolerate" the move which it said was made without South Korea's agreement. | |
The foreign ministry also urged Japan to ensure regional peace and stability. |