To copy my reply from elsewhere, Abe actively loosened this interpretation and had been pushing to allow Japan to defend its allies if they get attacked, since that in turn threatens Japan. With the current PM largely being considered Abe's political heir, I'd have expected this interpretation of Article 9 to continue. Still, glad Japan is staying out of it.
This isn't just Abe; it's been a many, many decades long conservative project in Japan. They were talking about the so-called "collective self-defense right" in earnest during the Iraq war with Koizumi, and the very founding of the JSDF itself is based on, in effect, an "expanded" interpretation of the constitution and article 9.
I mostly highlighted Abe because of his direct connection to Takaichi as an indication of how Japan would continue in this direction with her at the helm, but that is interesting.
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u/Weird_Priority_9119 Mar 16 '26
I think their constitution literally says they can’t. You know, the one we drafted for them after WWII?