Author(s)

Dahlia Patricia Sterling

School of Foreign Languages, Dezhou University, Dezhou, China.

This paper explores the perception, influence and theoretical interpretation of the Japanese Article 9 “Peace Constitution” enacted in the Japanese Constitution, and what it means for its Security Policy in the 21^st Century, if revised. The Japanese Constitution of 1947, drafted by the United States of America while Japan was under their occupation, is one that the Japanese society over the past few years has been struggling with, that is, the stipulation of a timeframe for the revision of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution. Analytically, the impact of a potential transformation of the Japanese Constitution Article 9 since its enactment might exacerbate the perception of Japan in East Asia and the international system, thus increasing and emphasizing various concerns bringing to the forefront the effects of a revised Security Policy in the 21^st Century. The question of whether Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution should be amended, and if amended, how it should be revised to allow Japan to form armed forces for self-defense is an issue that has garnered numerous concerns over the years.

Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, Perception, Influence, Theoretical Interpretation, East Asia, Revision, Security Policy, International System

Sterling, D. (2020) Governing Japan: The Perception, Influence and Theoretical Interpretation of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution and What It Means for Its Security Policy in the 21^st Century, If Revised. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 8, 263-279. doi: 10.4236/jss.2020.811024.