Gloves off
A pacifist nation inches closer to taking responsibility for its own security
FOR months Japan’s Diet (parliament) has been debating one of the country’s most important legislative changes since the second world war. Shinzo Abe, the prime minister, wants to make it easier for Japan’s armed forces to join military activities abroad and defend allies under attack—principally America. But Mr Abe’s long-cherished aim of loosening the shackles of the country’s pacifist constitution is proving unpopular at home.
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Gloves off”
Asia
July 11th 2015
From the July 11th 2015 edition
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Vietnam’s diaspora is shaping the country their parents fled
As well as sending remittances, many are returning to their homeland
America’s new ship-killer missiles come to the Philippines
US Marines are training to defend Taiwan in a new way
On its own terms, ASEAN is surprisingly effective
The group has helped keep countries from each others’ throats
How to fix India’s sclerotic justice system
There are plenty of ideas but not enough action
After the revolution, Bangladesh is hoping to reform
Protests and spreadsheets are part of the process
Prabowo Subianto’s economic policy is weakening Indonesia
And it comes at a time where America is slapping tariffs on the world