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Japans current constitution was promulgated post World War Two on November 3rd 1946, and came into effect on the 3rd may 1947. Infamous for being a pacifist constitution, most importantly to article 9 chapter two of japans constitutional statue. "Article 9. Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized." (Japans constitution) There has been an ongoing dispute with china and Taiwan, the current Prime minister Sanae Takaichi, has outright stated that a Chinese attack on Taiwan, would be an "existential crisis for Japan". As well as that "Taiwan emergency is a Japan emergency."
Japan controlled Taiwan following the Treaty of Shimonoseki, after which it surrendered control following World War Two.
The Taiwan-China dispute has been ongoing for over 75 years, originating from the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949. When Mao Zedong's Communist Party took control of mainland China, the defeated Nationalist government (Kuomintang) led by Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan, establishing it as the seat of the Republic of China (ROC).
Since the end of the Chinese civil war, Beijing claims Taiwan as it's own territory (a renegade province), while Taiwan has operated as a self-governing entity, creating a persistent, unresolved sovereignty dispute.
Attempt at normalisation of relations between Japan and China. Japan established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), navigating a complex, often ambiguous relationship with Taiwan under the 1972 Japan-China Joint Communiqué. Relevant Provisions: " 3. The Government of the People's Republic of China reiterates that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China. The Government of Japan fully understands and respects this stand of the Government of the People's Republic of China, and it firmly maintains its stand under Article 8 of the Postsdam Proclamation." "6. The Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China agree to establish relations of perpetual peace and friendship between the two countries on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence. The two Governments confirm that, in conformity with the foregoing principles and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, Japan and China shall in their mutual relations settle all disputes by peaceful means and shall refrain from the use or threat of force." "7. The normalization of relations between Japan and China is not directed against any third country. Neither of the two countries should seek hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region and each is opposed to efforts by any other country or group of countries to establish such hegemony."
All parties (Taiwan, China, and Japan) claim sovereignty over the Diaoyu/Senkaku islands in the East China Sea. Japan which administers the islands, does not accept that there is a dispute to be resolved, whilst china maintains that there is.
In 2015, Shinzo Abe's government passed legislation that would allow Japan to engage in collective self-defence in specific cases, such as if an ally like the United States came under attack.
September 2024: A Japanese warship passed through the Taiwan Strait (for the first time). November 2025: High-ranking Japanese officials indicated that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could be considered a survival-threatening situation, allowing for potential Japan Self-Defense Forces involvement. February 2026: Japan continues to treat Taiwan security as a core component of its national security policy.
Is there a possibility that Japan could break its constitutional pacifist status, when it comes to the Chinese-Taiwan dispute?
Currently, there are verbal communications on what Chinese leader Xi Jinping, might do should Japan interfere in the dispute over Taiwan. Additionally, China has restricted imports from and exports to Japan.
Should the dispute escalate. There could be scenarios that Japan breaks it's decade long pacifist status, with potential for economic sanctions and invasion -- even to the extent of involving the United States.
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I reckon with PM Takaichi in office now and overwhelming support, through wanting to develop the self-defense force, there seems to be some kind of historical recurrence echoing. Regarding whether the China-Taiwan dispute may put the pacifist nature in danger, I think it already has. Japan supposedly, by its constitution, specifically in reference to Article 9 of the constitutional statute, which states, "...The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized." PM Takaichi has already stated Japan's involvement (possibly military) should China pursue military action against Taiwan, adding to that, the increased GDP spending on self-defense mimics a military budget. It seems to get more difficult to see the maintenance of a pacifist nature. Additionally, the LDP does not have a good track record either; they've often had controversial ties to the church, which even led to the assassination of ex-PM Shinzo Abe. Personally, this would instill mistrust in the LDP for me, unless seeing drastic changes. However, the LPD under PM Takaichi just seems more right-wing and aggressive. What previous PMs have been extremely reluctant to say, such as Japan's direct involvement or even stance on the matter PM Takaichi seems to outwardly and confidently state. For me, this hints at a more aggressive state and developments in foreign policy and even perhaps amendments to the post-war constitution, thus putting the pacifist nature of it not only at risk but perhaps even diminishing it.
To say that there is a historical recurrence just because of higher spending and budgeting for the self-defense force is a bit reaching, in my opinion. PM Takaichi is the first Female PM for Japan ever, which in itself should be a huge win. I reckon this portrays a pacifist and a regressive form of politics in the new age of Japan. The mistrust in the LDP is very understandable; their controversial ties with the church are still haunting them. PM Takaichi does indeed seem more straightforward in her Foreign Policy, even getting closer than they already were to the US. However, in the grand scheme of things, Japan's military and its still inherent pacifist nature don't compare to the military of, for example, Germany. Germany has a true military; Japan has a self-defense force. Whilst the line between the two seems to get thinner, the maintenance of a pacifist nature is something we will see as PM Takaichi continues her term.