Local Discontents

The day after Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, announced reinterpretation of Article IX of the Constitution of Japan, most daily newspapers published editorial protesting against the decision on op-ed page. Namely, regional papers were strictly against it. One may say that was because regional papers had syndicate centered by liberal Kyodo News Agency, and another would argue that was because local community would supply human resource for new security policy operated by Japan Self-defense Force. Abe’s personal agenda also made sharp division between Tokyo and local cities.

Among the sharp criticisms against Abe, Ryukyu Shimpo was the top runner. The headline of its editorial read “Japan Be Devil’s Land.” At the time of Vietnam War, Okinawa was called “devil’s land” by Vietnamese, because it sent a number of U.S. bombers from bases there. It argued that Japan would be called as such, if it would participate in war of someone. People in Okinawa are widely afraid of being targeted, because three-quarters of U.S. military bases are still concentrated to the island.

Hokkaido Shimbun, with over a million circulations, raised a headline of “Leading Japan to Wrong Direction.” “The decision will not survive judgment of history. It distorts pacifism enshrined in the Constitution,” it said. The paper denounced Abe as violating the Constitution, mainly Article 99 that required public servants including Prime Minister to respect and uphold, the next day.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki were also prominent protestors against the decision. Chugoku Shimbun, headquartered in Hiroshima City, raised a voice from once devastated city. “What is the most worried is Abe’s attitude saying that collective self-defense would be deterrence. Even how he argues that he will keep the Three Principles against Nuclear Weapons and will lead nuclear disarmament, his attitude of depending on nuclear umbrella of U.S. has not changed at all,” its article said.

Forty regional papers out of forty-three opposed the reinterpretation in their editorials. Considering their high share in local communities, regional papers have significant influence on people’s opinion. Polls showing opposition to Abe’s decision could be affected by those regional papers’ opinion. Although papers in capital Tokyo were divided in two -- Asahi, Mainichi and Tokyo against the reinterpretation and Yomiuri, Nikkei and Sankei for it, regional papers constituted the majority in Japan.

As shown inside Abe administration, this policy has been handled by minority. Abe and his close staffs do not make majority in the administration. If the Prime Minister continues going on his own way, there will be a significant backlash making instability in the region.