Publication

This commentary examines Japan's reinterpretation of its constitution in July 2014 to allow the country to exercise its right to collective self-defense. The author contends that despite the seemingly minor importance of this constitutional change, Japan's new policy line is highly significant because 1) it undermines the constitution since exercising collective self-defense exceeds "the minimum force necessary" for settling international disputes, and 2) the policy change could affect regional stability and further fuel Asia's ongoing arms race.