Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution renounces war as a means of settling international disputes and prohibits the maintenance of armed forces and other war potential. It is not just a provision of the Japanese law; it also acts as an international peace mechanism towards reductions in military spending, promotion of nuclear-weapon-free zones, ending violence against women, supporting conflict prevention, and mitigating the negative environmental impact of the military.

Pacifism
With its Preamble and Article 9, the Japanese Constitution proclaims pacifism as one of the nation‘s fundamental principles. Article 9 not only renounces war and the threat or use of force as a sovereign right for itself; it also demands that all wars be made illegal.