Wartime bills also aimed at dealing with 'situations in areas surrounding Japan'

The government considers that the contingency legislation which will soon be submitted to the Diet is aimed at dealing with not only direct attacks on Japan but also so-called "situations in areas surrounding Japan," that is when U.S. military intervention takes place in the Asian Pacific region.

This was revealed by Defense Agency Director General Nakatani Gen in answer to Japanese Communist Party Akamine Seiken at the House of Representatives Security Committee meeting on April 4.

The bills are designated to expropriate public facilities and oblige their personnel to conduct required actions.

On this, JCP Akamine asked if those facilities will include NHK (broadcasting station), the Red Cross of Japan, NTT (telecommunication company), the Bank of Japan, and other corporations of gas, transportation, and communications.

Cabinet Councillor Murata Yasushi avoided giving a clear answer to Akamine, but did not deny the possibility.

The government-proposed bills are also designated to give the prime minister power to command local governments and the designated public facilities.

Cabinet Councillor Murata stated this to JCP Koizumi Chikashi at the House of Councilors Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting on the same day.

The Self-Defense Forces Law's Article 103 provides that each prefectural governor has the right to take actions in response to emergencies upon requests from the Defense Agency director general.

JCP Koizumi asked whether or not municipalities have a right to refuse the request.

The cabinet councillor answered that the prime minister may exercise the order in place of prefectural governors if the situation is extremely tense and needs urgent actions. (end)