Japan`s shift to allow collective self-defense historic: white paper
Baku, August 5 (AZERTAC). Japan`s recent reinterpretation of its Constitution to enable it to engage in collective self-defense has historic significance as the country seeks to bolster its security role and deter emerging threats, a white paper on defense said Tuesday.
The Abe Cabinet in July changed its interpretation of the pacifist Constitution to expand the notion of "self-defense," a controversial move that has caused the government`s approval ratings to dip.
Tokyo had long banned collective self-defense, or defending allies that are under armed attack even when Japan itself is not, having interpreted the Constitution`s war-renouncing Article 9 as only allowing "the minimum" use of force to defend the country.The white paper on basic defense policy and regional security pays particular attention to China as Beijing continues to send patrol ships and airplanes to areas around the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, which are claimed by China and Taiwan.
While acknowledging a shift in the power balance in Asia, the white paper stresses the importance of the U.S.-Japan security alliance, saying the presence of U.S. forces in the country serves as "deterrence."
On North Korea, the Defense Ministry says Pyongyang considers its nuclear development program a vital deterrent against the United States as leader Kim Jong Un tries to solidify his grip on power. Coupled with recent missile launches, it terms the North`s nuclear and missile ambitions a grave and imminent threat to Japan`s national security.
Japan has been trying to strengthen security ties with Southeast Asian countries and Australia at a time when its ties with neighbors like China and South Korea remain frayed by disagreements over history and territory.
In the latest white paper, Japan reiterates its criticism of Russia`s annexation of Crimea as undermining Ukraine`s sovereignty and territory and violating international law.
Such an attempt to change the status quo by force poses global challenges as they have repercussions for Asia and other regions, it says.
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