Wartime legislation will override non-nuclear Kobe Formula

The prime minister can ignore municipal ordinances and allow foreign warships to enter Japanese ports without restrictions, if the wartime bills are enacted.

This was revealed by Cabinet Councillor Murata Yasushi in response to Japanese Communist Party Akamine Seiken at the House of Representatives Security Committee meeting on April 18.

Citing the example of the Kobe Formula (a Kobe City ordinance) which bars any warship without certification of not carrying nuclear weapons from entering Kobe Port, JCP Akamine asked if the bills empower the prime minister to have authority over local governments.

The cabinet councillor said that a system is needed for the prime minister's instructions to be pursued in case of disobedience by local governments.

Murata stated that the prime minister has legal authority over municipalities and designated facilities, and admitted that the bills are for a war nation that forcibly mobilizes these facilities in times of war.

JCP Akamine asked if these facilities will include commercial broadcasting, newspapers, magazines, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airlines, private medical facilities, and medical associations. The cabinet councillor avoided giving a straight answer, but said that the government will make individual laws concerning designated facilities. (end)