Is japan allowed to have an army?

I know Japan has a SDF. But why are they still banned from having a full blown military? Germany was eventually able to have their own. read more

Japan is forbidden by its own Constitution from having an “ army”, but it is allowed to have a “self defence force”. Global firepower ranks Germany’s ARMY ( armed forces actually) as the world’s 9th best military. Japan’s non-army is rated the 7th best military in the world. Japan has more troops, tanks, and planes than Germany. read more

Until now, however, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have operated on the premise that they could not come to the aid of friendly countries — like the U.S., for example — unless the Japanese were directly attacked as well. read more