Commentary: Anti-terrorism not pretext for Abe to expand Japan's military might

The killing of two Japanese hostages taken by the Islamic State (IS) has outraged people around the world, especially in their homeland, with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowing to "make the terrorists pay the price."

The continuous acts of violence against innocent civilians are a crime against humanity that can never be forgiven. Governments around the world should strengthen efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism and extremism.

It is natural that Abe, as the leader of Japan, could not suppress his anger over the terrorists' atrocious acts. But his following moves have prompted questions about his real motives.

After the killings, Abe first said that Japan would redouble its efforts to work with the international community and not tolerate such acts of terrorism.

One day later, however, the prime minister announced that Tokyo should not impose limits beforehand on where its Self-Defense Forces (SDF) would be dispatched to defense allies in collective self-defense.

What's more, Abe reiterated his willingness to amend Article 9 of the country's peace Constitution that strictly defined items of "self-defense" and "use of force."

What tricks is Abe playing under the pretext of fighting against terrorism?

While his Western allies such as the United States and other European countries, which have troops deployed overseas, are still facing the problem of hostage killing by terrorists, how could Japan justify its linking anti-terrorism to the amendment of its peace constitution?

There is no coincidence that the prime minister is itching to beef up Japan's military might by taking advantage of the outrage from peace loving people.

Since he took office in 2012, Abe has been pushing for a stronger profile for his country on the global stage and expand the scope of SDF operations.

In July 2014, the Japanese Cabinet approved a landmark decision to lift the ban on collective self-defense, undermining its pacifist policy bounded by a war-renouncing constitution.

Meanwhile, he has repeatedly committed mistakes on historical issues including his remarks on the "unestablished definition" of Japan's aggression and a visit to the Yasukuni Shrine honoring the war dead including Class A war criminals.

It is clear that if Abe continues to hijack the nation by using the hostage killings as a pretext, he will definitely cast a shadow over the security in the Asia-Pacific region and his so-called revenge for terrorism will not be justified.

Actually, the whole world opposes terrorism in all forms and all radical acts against civilians and has extended deep sympathy to the Japanese victims.

As to fighting terrorists, the international community should enhance cooperation and spare no efforts to address the threats of terrorism.

It is highly hoped that Abe will prove himself to be an active player, instead of speaking tongue in cheek, in the global fight against terrorism. Endi