Watch out for the samurai!!

At the end of the Second World War and as part of their surrender terms, Japan amended their constitution, so as to provide (the famous Article 9) that as a country they renounced war and the threat or use of force as a means of settling disputes. The Article also stated that they would not maintain any land, sea or air forces. That this was unrealistic quickly became apparent, and the Article was soon "interpreted" to mean that they could keep armed forces provided they were purely for self-defence. So as not to be unconstitutional, these forces had to be created as extensions of the National Police Force, and remain so to this day.  The interpretation of Article 9 has been the subject of much debate in Japan ever since, and in particular the extent to which the concept of "self defence" could extend to helping other friendly countries, or countries with which they have treaty obligations, if they came under attack.  The Japanese cabinet has recently ruled that it will accept this idea of "collective self defence" and if considered necessary will send its forces (still strictly policemen) to fight overseas.  Whether in the twenty-first century Article 9 is any longer relevant is a discussion that the Japanese are still having, with a small majority it seems in favour of keeping it.