Democratic antimilitarism in postwar Japan

Abstract

Since 1947, Japan has maintained its “Peace Constitution” un-amended, a constitution that guarantees “the right to live in peace” (Preamble), outlaws “war as a sovereign right of the nation,” and prohibits the maintenance of “land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential” (Article 9). Since its adoption sixty-three years ago, no Japanese citizens have killed or been killed in war. In this work I examine the functioning, maintenance, and interpretation of the Constitution of Japan and establish the critical juncture during which the Japanese public came to embrace the values of democratic antimilitarism and incorporate them into their political collective identity and historical memory. In addition, I identify the analytic structure of contestation over the fate of the constitution in the postwar years, demonstrating the role that Japanese citizens have played in defending the constitution against government officials who advocate its revision.

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