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Beyond Pacifism Why Japan Must Become a "Normal" Nation
William C. Middlebrooks
Book Code: C35524
ISBN: 0-313-35524-X
ISBN-13: 978-0-313-35524-0
176 pages, tables
Praeger Security International
Publication: 6/30/2008
List Price: $75.00 (UK Sterling Price: £41.95)
Availability: Not yet published. (Estimated publication date, 6/30/2008)
Media Type: Hardcover
Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4
Subjects:
  • Endorsement From James E. Auer,
    Director, U.S.-Japan Center, Vanderbilt University,
    Former Special Assistant for Japan, Office of the Secretary of Defense:     William Middlebrooks's polemic asks all the right questions and explains why Japan will remain unqualified to, among other things, secure a permanent place on the UN Security Council (despite contributing more money to the United Nations annually than Russia, China, England and France combined), unless it becomes a "normal" nation by renouncing pacifism and amending its constitution accordingly.
Description: The so-called "pacifist clause" of the Japanese Constitution (Article 9) binds "the Japanese people forever to renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes." Beyond Pacifism argues that Japan must either repeal Article 9, or face a future in which Japan might be compelled to surrender sovereign authority in order to appease one or more of its immediate neighbors. If Japan cannot free itself of the constraints of its constitutional pacifism and choose to become a "normal" nation, willing and able to defend itself and its interests, it must endure what former Prime Minister Koizumi describes as the "peace of slaves." Since 1952 Japan has followed the path of "reinterpreting" Article 9 in order to work around its pacifist strictures. Many Japanese party leaders--including prime ministers Abe and Koizumi--have called for Article 9 to be revised by the addition of a clause authorizing the use of force for the purpose of self-defense against aggression directed against the Japanese nation. Most foreign commentators and scholars urge Tokyo to continue to work around Article 9 without amendment. By contrast, the author argues that neither "reinterpretation" nor revision will allow Japan to counter the growing military threats from North Korea and China. Japan's health as a democratic state, contends Middlebrooks, requires an honest re-alignment of its law with its modern national identity, which is "normal" and no longer poses a militaristic threat to regional stability.
Table of Contents:
  • List of Figures
  • List of Abbreviations
  • Introduction
  • Chapter One Constitutions
  • Chapter Two Article 9s Impact Upon Japanese Security Policy
  • Chapter Three What is Wrong With the Status Quo?
  • Chapter Four Frictions and Threats
  • Chapter Five Is History Prologue?
  • Chapter Six The Right to be Normal
  • Notes
LC Card Number: 2008009945
LCC Class: JZ1745
Dewey Class: 355
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