Don't send Aegis-class ship to support U.S. war

"I rise to demand that the government cancel the plan to send an
Aegis-class destroyer in support of the U.S. military campaign against
Afghanistan," Yamaguchi Tomio of the Japanese Communist Party said at a
House of Representatives special committee meeting on anti-terrorism
measures on November 1.

In the committee meeting, Yamaguchi asked Defense Agency Director general
Nakatani Gen what provisions of the law allowing the Self-Defense Forces to
take part in the retaliatory war would be used to justify the dispatch of
the Aegis-class ship.

Nakatani's answer was that "it will collect information to help in the
research necessary to carry out activities in conformity with the Defense
Agency Establishment Law."

The JCP Dietmember also said sending an Aegis-class ship which is capable
of quickly transmitting information regarding the enemy, will pose a problem
of Japan's involvement in combat, which is banned by the Constitution.
(end)