Japan isn't strictly forbidden from having a military, but its post-WWII constitution (Article 9) renounces war and prohibits maintaining "war potential," leading to the creation of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) for purely defensive purposes, though this has evolved to allow limited overseas operations and collective self-defense under strict conditions, driven by regional threats.
The JSDF is legally constrained by the Article 9 of the Constitution, which renounces Japan's right to declare war or use military force in international disputes. Japanese law limits JSDF functions to self-defense, disaster response, and peacekeeping.
Because Japan has a pacifist constitution that was essentially forced on them by the US occupation forces. Article 9 states that they will not use military force for aggressive purposes. Japan DOES have a military; one of the biggest in the world, actually.
Japan's constitution, which was imposed on them by the US after WW2, prohibits Japan for overseas military operations. It also reduces the governments emergency powers, severely restricting the government's ability to respond to emergencies like COVID-19.
Japan is currently undergoing a five-year military buildup through 2027 as part of its national security strategy, including doubling its annual defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product.
China dominates in raw numbers across the board, fielding a massive 2 million troops and a huge inventory of armor and aircraft, supported by a $230B budget. Japan's Self-Defense Forces, while smaller (240K troops, $53B budget), are known for their high-tech, modern equipment and training.
The "Japan 5-minute rule" refers to extreme punctuality, meaning you should arrive 5 minutes before a scheduled time (e.g., 9:55 AM for a 10:00 AM meeting) to be considered "on time," as being exactly on time is seen as late, showing respect and reliability; it's part of the Japanese concept of go-fun-mae koudou (five-minute prior action). This emphasis on being early is deeply cultural, contrasting with many Western norms, and applies to business, appointments, and even trains, where delays over 5 minutes warrant apologies and certificates.
The Japanese, naturally, were disappointed to hear of Hitler's death. They were more concerned, however, over how Germany would react. After the collapse of the fascist regime in Italy, Italian fascists formed a rump state and continued to fight on, and the Japanese hoped that Germany would do the same.
The Navy wanted to invade Australia and deny the country as a base to either America or Britain. The Army felt it did not have the strength to invade and fully occupy so vast a continent. The Army won this argument.
It is what is prescribed in Article 5 of the Security Treaty. Instead, Japan has an obligation to provide military bases to the U.S. in accordance with Article 6 of the treaty. The U.S. obligation to come to rescue Japan and the Japanese obligation to provide bases to the U.S. are balanced but not identical.
Over 80% of Japan's landmass is covered by mountains and hills, making it a very rugged, island nation where most people live in narrow coastal plains and valleys, with forests covering a large percentage of these mountainous areas as well.
Ref. Article 12 of the Constitution of Costa Rica has forbidden a standing army since 1949, following the Costa Rican Civil War. The Public Force, whose main role includes law enforcement, internal security and command of the Air Vigilance Service, has limited military capacities.
Under Japanese law, persons suspected of a crime can be detained for 23 days without charge. The length of detention, up to the maximum period, is at the discretion of the public prosecutor and subject to the approval of local courts.
In Japan, self-defense is legal — but it comes with strict boundaries. The self-defense law in Japan permits civilians to protect themselves and others from danger, but only when the response is immediate, necessary, and proportionate to the threat.
The WARPOWER series of sites take a unique, 'by-the-numbers', quick-reference approach to the current (2026) military capabilities of Japan. The Japanese military is consistently ranked as a TOP 5 global defense power in the shadow of a rising China and an active North Korea.
Though they existed more than eight centuries ago, Genghis Khan and the Mongols are still regarded as the most-feared military of all time. This is due to their reign over an incredible empire that they conquered in a short period of time.
The internationally recognized great powers today are China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with India being the most likely country to become a great power in the near future.
It was the rival Weltanschauung, Marxism (which for him embraced social democracy as well as communism), with its insistence on internationalism and economic conflict. Beyond Marxism he believed the greatest enemy of all to be the Jew, who was for Hitler the incarnation of evil.
When Adolf Hitler shot himself on 30 April 1945 in his bunker beneath the Reich Chancellery in Berlin, blood spattered onto a sofa. An examination of this biological trace is now being presented by the British TV station Channel 4 in a two-part documentary: Hitler's DNA: Blueprint of a Dictator.
The United States. Since World War II, Japan's most important tie has been with the United States. Japan's mutual defense treaty with the United States is central to its security. The United States is committed to defend Japan and maintains military bases in Japan partially for that purpose.
Japanese tend not to eat while walking along or standing around on the street. However, it is acceptable to drink while standing aside vending machines, which are ubiquitous in Japan. Eating and drinking on local trains is also frowned upon, but not long distance express trains such as the Shinkansen bullet train.
Thanks to a historically weak yen, the U.S. dollar goes quite far in Japan, making food, local transport, and cultural sites surprisingly affordable, though high-end hotels and bullet trains still cost significantly in dollar terms; expect about 155-156 yen per dollar, allowing for cheap convenience store snacks, budget ramen for around $10, and museum entries under $5, making it a great value trip for U.S. travelers.
The Japanese 80% rule, known as "Hara Hachi Bu", is a Confucian principle advising people to stop eating when they feel about 80% full, not completely stuffed, to support health and longevity. This practice encourages mindful eating, helps prevent overeating, and is linked to lower rates of illness and longer lifespans, particularly observed in Okinawan centenarians. It involves slowing down during meals, listening to your body's fullness cues, and appreciating food as fuel rather than indulging to the point of discomfort.