Asian Waters: The Struggle Over the South China Sea and the Strategy of Chinese Expansion

by Humphrey Hawksley

Japan’s only outside military protection came from its 1952 security treaty with the United States; thus, by threatening Japan with a ship-to-ship missile, Beijing sent a message to the Pentagon. Drawing America into even a skirmish with China was a dangerous move. Abe’s view was that Japan needed the wherewithal to handle China itself, but to achieve that he would have to amend the country’s pacifist constitution. He led a parliamentary coalition, which meant horse trading with the New Komeito Party, his Buddhist-based, pacifist-minded coalition partner. In July 2014, after much bargaining, Abe succeeded in winning cabinet approval for constitutional changes. Japan would be able to engage in “collective self-defense” and come to the aid of an ally under attack. Japanese troops could also serve overseas, although only in peacekeeping operations. “The global situation surrounding Japan is becoming ever more difficult,” Abe explained. “Being fully prepared is effective in discouraging any attempt to wage a war on Japan. The cabinet decision today will further lessen the chance of Japan being engaged in war. That is my conviction.”4