“Everything Changes, Nothing Remains Without Change.” (Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)

Monday, February 16, 2009

Change is a major step that everyone encounters in their lives. No one or nothing can avoid change. So we have no choice but to accept it. Not only people, but countries are also scared of having major changes and I'm pertaining to Japan. They are scared of change. If something has been a part of their tradition for years, it will be difficult for them to change it. That is why it is somewhat difficult for them to change their Constitution, which they already had and live by since after the World War II.

I am talking about their Peace Constitution.

It was drafted by the United States. In order for Japan to not re-militarize, the United States included a statement in Japan's constitution saying that Japan cannot have their own military force or army which is referred to as the Article 9.

What makes it more difficult for them is that their people who are divided into those who agrees to change it and those who does not. Those who agree wants to change their constitution because they want to protect their own country from possible threats and in order to do that, they must have their own army. For them, they cannot be called an independent nation if they cannot protect their own country. On the other hand, those who are against change, especially those who were in the Second World War, stated that they are scared that a war might happen again. They are scared that their country might return to its old ways--to be the Imperial Japan we knew. They don't want Japan to be that aggressive again.

For the past years that Japan have been using this constitution, there were no disputes and the people of Japan are living in peace. But if ever they will change their constitution, it is possible that peace will disappear if they get involve in wars or other disputes again. This change could also threaten other countries that could trigger conflict among them. If that happens, many will again suffer. That is why, for my own opinion, the Japanese should not change their constitution for the better and for their own good also.

**written for JAGOPOL