Japan’s cabinet this week tore up what remains of the country’s war-renouncing constitution by declaring Tokyo’s right to defend its allies. Japan will thus join the ranks of other, presumably war-rejoicing, nations who maintain the same right, including known rabble-rousers such as New Zealand and Sweden.

In fact, almost all nations retain the right to what is technically known as collective self-defence. Germany, like Japan on the wrong side of the second world war, has actually been obliged to defend its allies since the west joined Nato in 1955. Only the likes of Costa Rica, whose constitution abolished the army, hold on unflinchingly to pacifist principles.

Of leading nations, then, Japan has been an aberration. We may lament the fact that yet another country has declared itself ready, if necessary, to wage war. We may abhor the nationalistic rhetoric of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. However, we should recognise that all the country has done is inch a fraction closer towards becoming a “normal” nation.