[super_satoh]

Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution is a "No War" clause. It dates from 1947 at the end of World War II.

"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."

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In light both of Japan's current responsibility as a major world leader and the current conflict growing in Asia, Japan needs sorely to be permitted to rearm and remilitarize. It is time for Article 9 to be abolished, and for American troops to be gradually withdrawn from bases in Okinawa and elsewhere throughout Japan.

Shinzo Abe, newly elected PM of Japan is currently trying to make a push for remilitarization so that Japan is no longer under the "protection" of the US army, a protection that comes with the added costs not only of taxes being paid to keep a foreign government's military present in Japan but also, in the case of Okinawa, widespread pollution directly related to the bases and horrific crimes against locals, including but not limited to rapes of women and children, and murder.
We need to show our support for Abe's bid to remilitarize Japan in anyway we can, either directly or via support of American politicians who are willing to open a discourse regarding this issue with Japan. It is time that Japan was permitted to raise a standing army and take responsibility for the safety and protection of it's own citizens in this new age for East Asia.

http://www.s-abe.or.jp/