Author: Andy(andy@1024ai.cc)

Introduction

In the aftermath of World War II, Japan adopted the Peace Constitution under American occupation, whose Article 9 formally renounced war and the maintenance of military forces. Yet this provision was contentious from its inception. More than seven decades later, the debate over constitutional reform is not merely about Japan’s defense posture — it reflects a deeper reckoning with how Japanese society confronts its own wartime history. Drawing on extensive American and European scholarship, this article maps the contours of this complex and consequential issue.

Published on 2026-05-15 at Andy's Analysis, last modified on 2026-05-15