Shii says 'mystery ship' incident is wrongly used to justify wartime legislation

Shii Kazuo, Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee chair, explained why the JCP opposes legislation to establish measures to deal with emergencies in an NHK political debate program broadcast on January 6.

The government and the ruling parties are increasing their campaign to have wartime legislation enacted, using a recent "mystery ship" incident as a pretext.

Shii said that "mystery ship" incidents should be dealt with using international and domestic laws, and that terrorist actions should basically be settled by the police and the judiciary.

As for Japan's coastal policing in territorial and exclusive economic waters, Shii said the Maritime Safety Agency is responsible, and that this has nothing to do with the need to establish an emergency system.

To show how dangerous it is to enact wartime legislation by taking advantage of the irrelevant incident, Shii quoted the Defense Agency director general as saying in parliament that he cannot assume a sudden massive attack on Japan by foreign forces probable.

The JCP chair said that the JCP is categorically against the wartime legislation that would empower the government to totally mobilize the Japanese people, expropriate land, and draft physicians.

Asked if the present laws are enough to deal with the "mystery ship" incident, Shii said the incident took place in exclusive economic waters, not Japan's territorial waters, and therefore Japan must supply the facts and a legal basis which can reasonably satisfy both international and domestic laws.

Shii added, "Otherwise, Japan's activity will cause apprehension in China, South Korea, and other countries.

Shii said that the JCP is examining the incident in the light of domestic and international laws. (end)