The right of belligerency

Article 9, paragraph 2 of the Japanese Constitution stipulates that "the right of belligerency of the state shall not be recognized." There are two opposing theories regarding the meaning of this provision: one that it is the right of the state to wage war, and the other that it is a right that the state has under international law in wartime. The latter theory is the more common, since the former theory overlaps with the intent of paragraph 1. The right of belligerency in the latter sense includes carrying out acts of war against a belligerent nation within the scope of international law, such as attacking military targets, occupying territory, and the right of captured combatants to be treated as prisoners of war, and forcing neutral nations to abide by neutral laws, such as forcing blockades to be respected and inspecting neutral ships on the high seas. The right of belligerency can only be exercised by those who are qualified to wage war, that is, members of the regular military and the warships and military aircraft under their command. In addition, guerrilla soldiers and civilians resisting enemy invasions can also be recognized as prisoners of war if they are captured under certain conditions.

[Yoshiro Matsui]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

日本国憲法第9条2項は、「国の交戦権は、これを認めない」と規定する。その意味については学説上、国が戦争を行う権利とする説と、戦時において国が戦時国際法上有する権利とする説が対立しているが、前説は第1項の趣旨と重複するところから、後説が通説である。後説の意味での交戦権には、交戦国に対して国際法が認める範囲で戦争行為を行うこと、たとえば軍事目標の攻撃、領域の占領、捕らえられた自国戦闘員が捕虜待遇を受ける権利など、中立国に対しては中立法規を遵守せしめること、たとえば封鎖を尊重させ、公海上で中立船を臨検することなど、が含まれる。交戦権は、交戦資格を有するもの、すなわち正規軍の構成員およびそれに指揮される軍艦・軍用航空機によってのみ行使しうるが、それ以外にゲリラ兵や敵の侵入に抵抗する市民も、一定の条件が整えば、捕らえられたときには捕虜資格が認められる。

［松井芳郎］

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