Civil Disobedience Essay

Introduction:

Civil disobedience is a refusal of citizens to disobey a law of the state, command of the government or any rule of an occupying international power. It is usually a nonviolent resistance against an authority, and it has been historically a powerful tool in democratic countries to influence governments by their people for various reasons.

Japan:

1: What were the origin and causes of civil disobedience in that country?

In history, civil disobedience in Japan can be seen on a massive scale in opposition of Japanese to the 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan. Signed first in 1952 at San Francisco Presidio, the Security Treaty was amended on January of 1960 between the US and Japan

This was amended and turned into the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan in 1960, which sparked outrage and civil disobedience. The civil obedience of 1960 was massive and was a proof that Japanese were serious about the sovereignty of their country. The resignation of Prime Ministers of Japan is an evidence that democracy was in action in the country and the impact of people was present. When the Security Prime Minister Nobusuke was forced to sign amidst the protests and oppositions against the treaty. Also, In 2006 agreement between Japan and United States governments, it was decided to move MCAS Futenma from Okinawan to Guam, but this decision received little support, and later Hatoyama resigned, stating that he failed to fulfill one of his promises. There were also impacts on small scales. For instance, the massive awards that resulted from filing of lawsuits against environmental and noise pollution caused by U.S forces in Japan. There were apologies from U.S officials for the crimes committed by U.S personnel in Japan. There was also, albeit as late as 2006, an agreement to move the MCAS Futenman from Okinawan to Guam. Despite the massive opposition, the treaty was not repealed because of its benefits for the Japan overall. There were both security and economic benefits for Japan. Japan never spent more than 1% of its GDP on military expenditures. Even according to a 2007 Okinawa Times poll, 73.4% of Japanese citizens appreciated the mutual security treaty with the US and the presence of the USFJ, so it can be clearly seen that, though there were concerns against the treaty, there was support for the treaty/agreement; therefore, the democratic impact was not