Pacifist Japan's embrace of the military

The country has transformed into one of the world's major spenders on defense.

- BY MARI YAMAGUCHI

PRIME MINISTER Sanae Takaichi, with President Trump, has been criticized for Japan's military buildup.

(EUGENE HOSHIKO Associated Press)

Japan is barreling forward with efforts to significantly boost its military capabilities to stand up to China's growing threats by doubling annual arms spending. The goal comes as Tokyo's main ally, the United States, pushes for more military assistance in Asia and a military hawk and ultraconservative takes over Japan's leadership.

Japan says it is still a peaceful nation and the buildup is necessary for a more self-reliant military that can better deter China. But Beijing and other critics see Japan as deviating from its postwar peace pledge, pointing to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's statement soon after taking office that any Chinese military action against Taiwan could be grounds for a Japanese military response.

Japan's transformation into one of the world's major defense spenders has developed over decades and raises the question of whether the ongoing buildup is a violation of its pacifist constitution.

Here is a closer look.

After World War II, Japan was not supposed to have a military.

During the 1945-1952 U.S. occupation, American officials wanted to stamp out the militarism that led to Japanese aggression across Asia before and during the war.

Under Article 9 of the U.S.- drafted 1947 constitution, Japan renounced the use of force to settle international disputes, and the right to maintain land, sea and air forces for that purpose.

The U.S. changed its mind about Japanese militarism when the Korean War started in 1950. Japan became an ally, not a threat, leading to the creation of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in 1954. Article 9 is now widely seen as the legal basis for Japan to have a sufficient military to defend itself.