After 1945, when Japan was defeated in World War II, its defense system was greatly altered. While up until that point, Japan had aimed to become a great military power, afraid that Japan might rearm, the USA redrafted the constitution. The epoch-making constitution declared that Japan would no longer participate in wars, nor have a military force. Accepting this, Japan, unburdened by huge military expenses, chose a path that led to the country becoming a major economic power. As a consequence, Japan offered America military bases. After that, Japan’s defense depended on the USA. Following this, the Cold War between East and West began and the Korean War broke out. The USA wanted Japan to rearm so that it could become an ally on the side of the West. However, as Japan still bore the scars of war, many people were against expanding the military, and the constitution acted as a brake. Because of this, Japan set up the National Police Reserve, which developed into the Self Defense Force. Subsequently, Japan’s economic growth was remarkable, but Japan has kept the policy that spending on defense be under 1% of the gross national product. While the global competition to develop nuclear weapons got underway, Japan declared that it would keep to three non-nuclear principals. In 1974, former Japanese Prime Minister SATO Eisaku was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The three non-nuclear principals are that Japan would not “possess, manufacture nor permit the introduction of nuclear weapons.” However, it has been pointed out that Japan is in fact sheltered by America’s nuclear umbrella. Though Japan already had the technology necessary to produce nuclear weapons, as Japan was the only country to be attacked by nuclear weapons, it was taboo to mention any positive side to them. Recently, more and more people are of the opinion that Japan should strengthen its defenses by revising the constitution, including the section on the right to collective self-defense. The reasons behind this include the frequent nuclear and missile experiments carried out by North Korea, and the increases in China’s military budget. Moreover, Japan is conflicting with China, Korea, and Russia over the ownership of islands that are close to its borders. These days, more and more nations are adopting a “my country first” policy which will eventually lead to problems over trade and territory. However, some people take the view that countries are being put in peril because voters choose such politicians.