Not completely true regarding Japan. In 2014, Shinzo Abe’s cabinet reinterpreted Article 9 to allow the Japan self defense forces to engage in combat to defend allies. That reinterpretation is still active, so they absolutely could come to help their US allies if they wanted to. They don't. It puts Abe's assassination into a new light.
Not completely true regarding Japan. In 2014, Shinzo Abe’s cabinet reinterpreted Article 9 to allow the Japan self defense forces to engage in combat to defend allies. That reinterpretation is still active, so they absolutely could come to help their US allies if they wanted to. They don't. It puts Abe's assassination into a new light.