SDF in Indian Ocean exercises right to collective self-defense: JCP Ichida

Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force ships operating in the Indian Ocean have been under the U.S. force's command, a newspaper recently reported.

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat head Ichida Tadayoshi at a press conference on June 17 said, "If the report is true, the SDF should be withdrawn immediately because it amounts to exercising the right to collective self-defense."

Under the Constitution, Japan is not allowed to exercise the right of collective self-defense.

Referring to Defense Agency Director General Nakatani Gen's statement in parliament regarding the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law last November that "SDF ships will operate independently in the Indian Ocean, not under foreign command," Ichida said that the SDF ships violated the law.

Ichida also pointed out the government's view stated by then Foreign Minister Nakayama Taro in October 1990: "If the SDF is under the command of a U.N. force which resorts to arms, it is considered possible to use arms too though it does not do so on its own."

"Based on this government's view, the SDF is considered to exercise the right to collective self-defense," said Ichida.

Ichida stated, "The report shows that the SDF after all works under U.S. command. It proves the JCP''s view that the wartime legislation is aimed at enabling Japan to support U.S. wars. We must get the bills scrapped." (end)