Japan's Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, is pursuing a historic amendment to the country's constitution, which has remained unchanged since its enactment in 1947. Takaichi argues that Article Nine imposes undue restrictions on Japan's ability to defend itself.
Article Nine is a key clause that renounces war as a sovereign right and prohibits the maintenance of armed forces with war potential. In practical terms, this means Japan can only use military force as a purely defensive measure if attacked first.
Justin McCurry, The Guardian's Tokyo correspondent, explains to Helen Pidd: "It's no secret that she is not an admirer of Article Nine. Legislation passed in the past decade has stretched this interpretation, allowing Japan to potentially aid an ally like the United States. But strictly speaking, the constitution limits Japan to defensive force only, which is why its military is called the Self-Defence Forces."
McCurry discusses public reception in Japan and what the change would mean for the wider region. The proposed amendment has sparked debate on national security and Japan's role in global affairs.
