Hundreds Protest Against Bill to Reform Japan's Peace Constitution (VIDEO)

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to end Japan's pacifist role in international politics, and to do that he needs to change Japan's "peace constitution."

At the Sydney Morning Herald, "Shinzo Abe's 'war' reforms draw wave of Japanese protesters":

Tokyo: They are polite, persistent and determined. Shinzo Abe's constitutional reforms have drawn a wave of protesters on to the streets of Tokyo, a rare occurrence in Japan that could take the shine off what should have been the prime minister's crowning achievement: a package of national security bills to expand the role of its military.

The most controversial aspect of the legislation is a reinterpretation of Japan's pacifist constitution, limiting its military's role to self-defence. The reinterpretation will allow Japanese troops to come to the aid of allies under attack, and fight overseas for the first time since World War II.

"Japanese democracy is in danger right now because of Prime Minister Abe," said Mana Shibata, who is part of a loose network of university students leading the protests. "What we as citizens can do is go on the streets and tell the society and tell the world that we care about our peace that we protected for 70 years since the war."

It comes at a sensitive time. With the milestone anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II next week, all eyes are on the detail of his anniversary address, expected to be released on Friday.

Carefully combed each year for keywords like "apology", "repentance" and "colonial aggression" – any dilution in language will be considered incendiary by neighbours China and South Korea.

More.

Also at the Japan Times, "Nagasaki bombing remembered, but doubts emerge over anti-war, anti-nuke policy."