Blizzardboy | A Kiwi in Australia

Wednesday saw the election of Shinzo Abe as leader of Japan’s ruling LDP, and next week on the 26th, when the Lower House of Japan’s Diet convenes he will be elected as the new Prime Minister of Japan.

Abe will be Japan’s youngest post-war Prime Minister, although at 52 he is 10 years older than New Zealands youngest PM – the late, great David Lange. Abe is also significantly older than the worlds youngest ever Prime Minister – the Dominican Republic’s 34 year old Roosevelt Skerritt.

One area Abe has expressed interest in is revising the Japanese constitution. Moves in this area will provoke intense debate in the region.

I wont go into detail today, but I thought I would quote from the Japanese constitution – especially article 9 which deals with Japan’s military abilities (and one area I am sure Abe is considering significant changes to).

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.

(from Wikipedia)

And just for a little contrast, a video of the Japanese Self Defense Forces from youtube:

Nice music.