the WSJ reports,"Mr. Abe has always said that use of collective self-defense is essential to maintain an effective alliance with the U.S., but he must tread a careful path if he is to achieve his goal.
On the one hand, Mr. Abe has the U.S. and his hawkish base who have supported the prime minister’s career-long goal to untangle Japan from its distrust and aversion to anything military to become a “normal state.” They’re looking for Japan to step up its defensive capabilities, as the U.S. retreats from its role as the world’s policeman.
But Mr. Abe must also contend with his pacifist coalition partner and a wary public".
“It’s difficult for the general public to understand, and there is strong opposition,” Mr. Abe said.
In a Nikkei survey published Monday, 47% opposed the exercise of collective self-defense, while 37% supported it. A Mainichi Shimbun survey the previous week showed 54% opposing the idea and 39% supporting it.
In a Nikkei survey published Monday, 47% opposed the exercise of collective self-defense, while 37% supported it. A Mainichi Shimbun survey the previous week showed 54% opposing the idea and 39% supporting it.
The Japanese government has long maintained that while it has the right to collective self-defense, its interpretation of Japan’s pacifist constitution prohibits it from exercising that right.
Mr. Abe wants to change the government’s interpretation of Japan’s highest law, without going through the nearly impossible task of amending the constitution.
But the discussion is so politically divisive it’s difficult to even get the surveys to pose the question in a neutral manner. Japan’s top dailies are all over the map when it comes to the sensitive topic.
A poll in the conservative Sankei last week gave almost 70% support for the use of collective self-defense. The Sankei reminded readers that Japan has the right to collective self-defense before giving them multiple options. The results showed that 10.5% wanted Japan to fully use its collective self-defense rights, 59.4% supported minimal use of the right when necessary and 28.1% said the right should not be exercised at all.
Another conservative daily, the Yomiuri Shimbun, published a poll on May 12 that also offered multiple choice responses, with similar results.
In a survey by NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster, the week before Mr. Abe’s press conference, 30% of respondents supported Japan’s use of collective self-defense, 27% were opposed, and 37% opted for “can’t say either way.”
