Japan's Liberal Democratic Party has reportedly scrapped 'never wage a war' pledge at its 81st LDP annual convention in Tokyo.
Gao Hong, a researcher on Japanese studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said that the changes indicate that Japan's rightward inclination is getting increasingly obvious and removal of the no-war pledge is a long-term strategy for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Analysts believe that by removing the pledge, Abe is pushing Japan in a hostile mode with neighboring countries, China daily reported.
Japan had exercised restraint from starting a war post its surrender in World War II.
Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution also restricts Japan from engaging in wars to settle international disputes.