Controversy arose when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that through changing the interpretation of the Constitution, consideration for authorizing the right to collective self-defense would be examined.

Against this possible security change in Japanese policy, some in the media have raised concerns saying, “Japan will become a nation that can go to war,” and that, “we are deviating from Constitutionalism of the government being carried out according to the Constitution.” The Komei Party, who are in alliance with the LDP, is also wary, and the regime’s pace has become quite unstable.

How should we think about this problem? Master Ryuho Okawa of Happy Science Group expounded on the right to collective self-defense in his sermon, “Love Shall Move this Era,” held at Chubu Shoshinkan in Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka prefecture.

Japan Is Responsible for Protecting Asia

Master Okawa touched upon not only the Senkaku Island crisis, but also on the international situation wherein, “a war between China, Vietnam and the Philippines may erupt at any time” as reasons for speeding up the authorization of the right to collective self-defense.

There have been numerous on-going clashes between China, Vietnam and the Philippines in the South China Sea.

On May 6th, there was an incident where the Philippines authority seized a Chinese fishing boat poaching for sea turtles, and the Chinese retaliated.

In July, in the maritime area near the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, a Vietnamese patrol boat was hit by a Chinese boat causing minor injuries to six Vietnamese sailors. The maritime area in question happened to be a Vietnamese exclusive economic zone, and China had begun drilling for oil there.

Due to incidents like these, tension has been rising in the South China Sea.

Master Okawa explained that behind all of these events, American President Obama has lost his power as the end of his regime’s term nears, and he also noted that militarily the U.S. appears to be on the “decline” with forces are being divided in preparation for Russia due to the Crimea crisis. Master analyzes that China is demonstrating to the world how America is powerless to do anything, and is doing international PR to show that they can effectively rule this maritime region.

He warned that in this current situation, when America is fighting to save neighboring countries being illegally attacked, if Japan does nothing, saying, “We can not authorize the right to collective self-defense,” then, “neighboring nations will lose confidence in Japan, and Japan will lose trust as the leader of ASEAN.”

For Japan as well, in the case of an emergency, there is need to protect Japanese companies set up in this region. Further, at a time when the energy supply is threatened due to the halting of the use of nuclear energy, if China gains naval supremacy in the region, it could mean that the oil route from the Middle East could be cut off.

Master Okawa stated that, “Japan must be able to wield force to maintain peace in the Asian and Oceania region,” urging Japan to recognize its rightful place as a leading nation.

The Wisdom to Judge Right and Wrong is Gained Through Searching the Heart of God and Buddha

In spite of the current situation, in Japan there is a strong opposition to the authorization of the right to self-defense and to the amendment of Article 9 of the Constitution. This is based on the thought that, “all war is evil.” However, Master Okawa proclaimed that, “we lack the wisdom to judge right from wrong.” That is to say, “We do not understand the heart of God and Buddha,” he explained.

There is a difference between the value judgment where a police officer might use his power to preserve social order, and where a criminal might use his power to bring misery to others for his own gain.

If we apply this to the current international community, it may not always be wrong to use force to protect oneself, especially when there is something extremely evil about China that takes away freedom of religion and speech, intrudes on other nation’s interests, intimidates through the use of force, and with North Korea continues to create nuclear weapons while their own citizens starve.

Master Okawa touched upon the totalitarian nations of China and North Korea in the current sermon defining that, “totalitarianism signifies a nation that has come to neglect the heart of God and Buddha who love humanity.”

When it comes to nations whose national policy enforce atheism and materialism, the idea that one should expand one’s power in this world, generate revenue, and gain longevity, prosperity become the highest priority. In such nations, the idea that political leaders should “eliminate nuisances” reigns, and it becomes forbidden for individuals to exercise their freedom to seek their own happiness.

On the other hand, to believe in God, Buddha and the spiritual world lead to thinking about “what is right and wrong from the perspective of eternal life.” The Master emphasized that for such believers it is necessary that they “judge right and wrong based on faith, and have the courage to realize righteousness.”

“People Do Not Exist for Laws, But Laws Exist for People”

Concerning Prime Minister Abe’s efforts to reinterpret the constitution to authorize the right to collective self-defense, some say “it is necessary to amend the constitution through procedures such as elections and referendum, rather than changing the interpretation due to prevailing circumstances in order to preserve constitutionalism”.

Against such opinions, Master Okawa pointed out that, “people do not exist for laws, but laws exist for people.”
If the lives, peace and safety of the Japanese people and the people of Asia should be faced with an imminent crisis due to compliance with the current Constitution and insistence on amendment procedures, then it may all be for nothing. It is, of course, preferable if Article 9 can be amended, but at the moment with situations so tense, there may not be enough time to abide by constitutional amendment procedures.

Master Okawa insisted that, “we must ensure that the ‘citizens will be protected, and contributions be made to world peace,'” and that “we ought to make efforts to match acts of love in accordance with the justice of God and Buddha.”

It can be said that acts of love accompanied by wisdom are currently sought on a national level in Japan. We hope that logical minds prevail and Japan can help maintain the balance of peace and power in Asia.