Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigned over a dispute linked to fighting in Afghanistan as well as to the string of corruption scandals which have impacted his government. The opposition Democrat Party of Japan refused to allow extension of Japan’s Maritime Self Defense Force’s right to use refueling stations in the Indian Ocean which are needed for activities in support of NATO forces in Afghanistan. The Democrat Party argues this mission violates Japan’s constitution. Abe believes Japan has to continue its work in halting international terrorism.
The resignation undoubtedly stems from the string of corruption which has wrecked Abe’s ability to govern and which resulted a few months ago in loss of control of Japan’s upper house to the opposing Democrat party. Many people in Japan are concerned that its armed forces are engaged in combat. The legacy of WWII and the atomic bomb still lingers in the minds of Japanese people.
