Article 9 is the only article in Chapter II of the Constitution of Japan, the chapter headed Renunciation of War

Background

The Constitution of Japan was promulgated on November 3, 1946. Chapter II of the Constitution is headed Renunciation of War and contains only Article 9. Article 9 states that the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. Its second paragraph adds that land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained, and that the right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized. Article 100 provides that the Constitution be enforced from the day when the period of six months will have elapsed counting from the day of its promulgation. Article 96 requires an amendment to be initiated by the Diet through a concurring vote of two-thirds or more of all the members of each House, and then ratified by an affirmative vote of a majority of all votes cast at a special referendum or at an election the Diet specifies. An amendment so ratified is promulgated by the Emperor in the name of the people as an integral part of the Constitution. Chapter X of the Constitution is headed Supreme Law.