Japan has been involved in South Sudan for years as it attempts to normalize its defence and national security. Yes, many in the conservative spectrum have not come to terms with the nation’s role in World War II or its crimes, but to pretend that Japan allowing its peacekeepers to protect civilians attacked in South Sudan or to protect vessels within its exclusive economic zone that come under attack - which the previous interpretation of its constitution did not allow - is somehow “re-militarizing” ignores context. To pretend that Japan would somehow embark on a new Greater Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere shows ignorance of Japanese mainstream political thought.
Also, while Abe would undoubtedly like to change Article 9, that is not what he has done. The Liberal Democratic Party has pushed for a re-interpretation of Article 9 to allow “collective self-defence”, which means that if other peacekeepers in South Sudan are attacked, Self Defence Forces personnel can come to their assistance. Or if a US naval vessel is attacked by North Korean ballistic missiles while in Japan’s exclusive economic zone, Japanese Aegis destroyers could assist. Japan is seeking to act as a normal, sovereign state.
