Biden’s remark on Japan constitution raises eyebrows

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FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2016, file photo, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden waves during a campaign stop for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in Scranton, Pa. During his campaign rally speech, Biden remarked that America had written Japan\'s Constitution following World War II. Though Japan modified the draft somewhat before adoption, some speculate Biden\'s comment could embolden those who want to revise the postwar charter. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)

TOKYO – A recent remark by U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden that America wrote Japan’s Constitution is raising eyebrows in Japan.

A popular front-page column in the national Asahi newspaper said this week that the comment “was unprecedented in its insensitivity” and “could even be considered arrogant.”

Biden attacked Republican candidate Donald Trump on Monday for saying that Japan might need to consider obtaining nuclear weapons in the future.

The vice-president said: “Does he not understand we wrote Japan’s Constitution to say that they could not be a nuclear power?”

The constitution was drafted by U.S. forces occupying Japan after World War II, though Japan modified the draft somewhat before adoption. Some speculate Biden’s comment could embolden those who want to revise the postwar charter.

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