It might be the case that Japan&#x27;s pacifist stance was forced on them by the US ~70 years ago, but they&#x27;re <i>still</i> officially pacifist because they choose to be. The US has wanted Japan to take a more aggressive military role for years, particularly in dealing with the other Asian countries, but why should they, when they have the world&#x27;s most powerful and violent superpower sworn to throw themselves into the meat grinder on Japan&#x27;s behalf?