Koizumi Cabinet's war bills meet with backlash in and out of Japan

The three contingency bills the Koizumi Cabinet submitted to the Diet on April 17 have generated a widespread concern in Asia.

The Chosun Ilbo of the Republic of Korea (ROK) said that Japan has made another step toward becoming a nation ready to go to war.

The People's Daily Online of China warned that contingency legislation is a stealth push of the door toward expansion of military action.

South Korean Donga Ilbo's Tokyo branch head pointed out that the contingency legislation is part of the major trend in Japan toward becoming a military power, that neighboring nations are deeply concerned about. He said that Japan is playing an important role and therefore he wants it to be a pacifist nation that never depends on military force.

Criticism is also growing domestically as the bills were drafted in only three months in secret meetings of the government and the three ruling parties.

Saitama Prefectural Governor Tsuchiya Yoshihiko who had been a House of Councilors member argued on April 16 that the idea of the Constitution and local governments' opinions must be respected and thorough discussion should be carried out.

Osaka Governor Ota Fusae complained that the government has failed to fulfill its duties to provide explanations to local governments, public corporations, and the public.

The Japan Association of City Mayors called for an early account by the government concerning the points of the bills which specify that the people will be mobilized for wars and the prime minister will command local governments.

Those organizations labeled "designated public entities" in the bills, which will be obliged to cooperate in a war under the command of the prime minister, have had no briefing from the government. The Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) as one such "public entity" issued a comment calling for a cautious discussion from various perspectives on the grounds that the bills will affect the reedom of expression and the press.

The Japanese Red Cross Society also calls on the government to explain clearly about the bills. (end)