A Controversial Constitution

One of the first conversations I had in Tokyo stemmed from a front page news article about the Japanese Constitution. Currently, the Constitution only allows Japan to attack another country if it is attacked; it can only act in self-defense. Prime Minister Abe is trying to loosen these restrictions. According to my Japanese friends, Japan is increasingly afraid of the powers to its West, namely North Korea and China, so this constitutional change is said to be precautionary. According to the New York Times, "Mr. Abe has called for a new interpretation that would allow the armed forces also to contribute to the defense of allied nations under attack, something they cannot now legally do. While Mr. Abe says Japan needs more robust military alliances to offset the growing might of China, opponents on the left have staged small street protests to warn that the change could embroil Japan in distant, American-led wars."

This proposed change upsets many Japanese citizens. Yesterday, just moments before I entered Shinjuku railway station, a man set himself on fire to protest against it. I remember hearing sirens and a megaphone, but didn't think too much of it. Shinjuku is one of Tokyo's busiest train stations and this happened on Sunday afternoon with many spectators. Especially in Japan, a usually calm and collected country, this seemed like a radical act. Fortunately, he survived and did not hurt anyone else. He was immediately assisted by firefighters that seemed to know his plan. If you care to see more, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0I0GlzljUg It is graphic, please be warned.