JCP: 'Anti-terrorism special measures' bill should be withdrawn:

Parliamentary discussion of a bill on "anti-terrorism special measures"
began in the House of Representatives Plenary Session on October 10.

In spite of "anti-terrorism" in the title, the bill is designed to allow
the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to supply the U.S. Forces in retaliatory
wars with provisions of weapons and munitions, fuel and food, and general
logistical support including transport and medical services, search and
rescue, as well as relief of refugees.

Speaking on behalf of the Japanese Communist Party, Kijima Hideo said
that the bill is intended to allow the SDF to cooperate with the U.S. Forces
in military action by providing logistical support without limitations. He
pointed out that activities called "logistics" are in fact part of military
action and therefore unconstitutional.

Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution states: "The Japanese people
forever renounce war ... and the threat or use of force." It prohibits Japan
from maintaining "land, sea, and air forces" and other war potential. It
denies the state of Japan the right of belligerency, entailing the use of
force.

Kijima also raised the problem that the bill allows SDF members to use
arms not only to defend themselves but to defend those who are under their
control. Even the law on emergencies in areas surrounding Japan lacked such
a clause.

Kijima argued that this clause was included on the assumption that the
SDF will have to operate in areas in which it is unpredictable when combat
may start.

Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro in reply said that terrorist attacks
are not war actions, and therefore the SDF activities do not amount to the
use of force prohibited by the Constitution. (end)