The Pacifist War

Is war looming as Japan strengthens its military power and tensions escalate over disputed East China Sea islands?


When Shinzo Abe was first elected Prime Minister of Japan in 2006 it wasn't a surprise as he came from a politically connected family. His father in law on his wife's side of the family was Nobusuke Kishi who served in the Japanese war cabinet during World War II also served as Prime Minister of Japan from 1957 to 1958. Though Kishi served in the wartime cabinet he was never tried for the crimes committed by the Tojo led government and was released from Sugamo in 1948. Like Kishi Shinzo Abe is a strident nationalist, war crimes denier and historical revisionist.

Seeking a return to power Abe softened his nationalist rhetoric during the 2012 December campaign. Winning election with a huge mandate Abe has sought to revise Japan's post World War II pacifist constitution which prevents Japan from having an actual military in name therefore its called the self defense force. What Abe wants is a referendum for the constitutional changes he wants voted on by the Japanese voting populace. He also intends to hold public hearings giving the public a chance to voice their approval or opposition to the proposed changes. But like everything else in Japan it will be completely scripted so that only those who approve of the changes will be given a voice while those in opposition will be silenced.

In the waters of the East China Sea, a daily show of aggression is displayed around the uninhibited Senakaku/Diaoyutai Islands. Coast guards from China and Japan play a dangerous game of cat and mouse as both sides try to lay claim to the disputed resource-rich territory. The concern is - that the two powers are riding towards war.

101 East presenter Steve Chao takes a trip to the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyutai Islands, 200km from Taiwan and 2,000km from Tokyo. This region is home to rich fishing grounds and potential gas deposits.

With China’s growing hostility and nuclear missile threats from North Korea, Japan’s newly-elected Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vows to strengthen the country’s military power to defend the islands at all cost. And that task falls on Japan’s Self-Defense Force (SDF), made up of ground, maritime and air units.