Japan's post-World War II constitution, specifically Article 9, prevented the country from maintaining a military. This renunciation of war shaped Japan’s defense policy significantly. Other options mentioned, like trade agreements and voting mandates, are not accurate representations of the constitution's content. ;
The new Japanese constitution after World War II, specifically Article 9, prevented Japan from having or using an army. This clause renounces war as a sovereign right and prohibits military action. Therefore, the correct answer is B: prevented Japan from having or using an army.
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