Hiroshi Hiyama,
Tokyo: Japan is considering the need for a limited military offensive capability in case of a threat of attack from North Korea, a move which would break with 60 years of pacifism. North Korea's missile tests last week have prompted intensified debate in Japan about whether to deviate from the post-World War II constitution and to develop a full-fledged military.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, who is known for his hawkish stance toward the communist state, said Monday there was need for debate on whether Japan should develop a preemptive strike capability.
Defense Agency chief Fukushiro Nukaga has said Japan should consider “a limited assault capability” while Foreign Minister Taro Aso argued the right to attack before being attacked was within the scope of the constitution.
Japanese forces do not currently have the capacity to attack foreign bases as their equipment is only for self-defense, a Defense Agency spokeswoman said.
“Right now, Japanese troops do not have the capability to attack military bases in North Korea,” agreed Akira Kato, a professor of political science at Obirin University.
But the ministers' remarks would send a diplomatic message that may lead China and South Korea to increase pressure on the North, he said.
“Japan has not experienced a war for more than 60 years,” said Kato.
So the missile firings gave “such a strong shock to the ordinary Japanese people that public support for possible preemptive attacks may gain further momentum,” he added.
The top-selling Yomiuri Shimbun said in an editorial Tuesday that “attacking missile bases to forestall a missile attack against Japan is an exercise of the right to self-defense allowed in the Constitution.”
Japan has taken the hardest line against North Korea since it test-fired seven missiles in its direction on July 5, including one long-range Taepodong-2 which is said in theory to be capable of hitting US soil.
“In the past Japan's diplomatic stance was bound by the political doctrine (of pacifism), but the test-firing of the Taepodong-2 weakened that,” said Takehiko Yamamoto, professor of security and politics at Waseda University.
“As this debate continues, it may further aggravate Japan's already strained ties with China and South Korea,” he said.
South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun's spokesman said Tuesday the Japanese comments had revealed “Japan's expansionist nature”.
Japan has steadily expanded its military's activity under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, sending troops to Afghanistan and Iraq.
Koizumi, who will step down in September, voiced caution about whether preemptive attacks would be constitutional.
“It is fine to discuss measures against a possible missile launch on a theoretical basis. It is different from preemptively attacking,” he said.
Japan has been stepping up its military cooperation with the United States and has vowed to push ahead swiftly with joint missile defenses first prompted by the North's shock firing of a missile over the Japanese mainland in 1998.
Japanese are becoming less sensitive about an expanded role for their Self Defense Forces but some still strongly oppose the idea of preemptive strikes.
“I think the Japanese government is too weak. But I am absolutely opposed to strikes,” said Tutsomu Katayama, a 26-year-old office worker.
Yutaka Amagae, a 58-year-old businessman, said: “I am very much worried if nuclear missiles do land on Japan, but we should endure them patiently and not strike back.”
The ruling party already aimed to hold a national referendum on historic changes to the pacifist post-war constitution and North Korea's missile tests are only expected to harden its resolve.
“I believe the government is eyeing a constitutional amendment in the near future to expand the role of the Japanese military,” said Motofumi Asai, a professor of politics and a former diplomat.
“What is concerning is that the government has played up the North Korean situation to the point where ordinary people cannot think calmly,” said Asai, head of the Hiroshima Peace Institute at Hiroshima City University.
