Amendments can't change substance of wartime bills -- Akahata editorial, August 23 (excerpts)

The Koizumi Cabinet is preparing to get the contingency bills enacted in an extraordinary Diet session in autumn.

The Cabinet Secretariat has set up a special inter-agency team with the aim of drafting amendments.

Behind these moves lies the U.S. Bush administration's pressure on Japan to take part in military action abroad when the United States extends its antiterrorism war to attack Iraq.

Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro instructed the team to amend the bills to include measures against terrorism and unidentified ships.

Such changes, however, can't justify the contingency legislation. Measures against terrorism should be under the control of police, and unidentified ships should be dealt with by the Japan Coast Guard.

The contingency bills were not enacted during the last Diet session, not because the bills lacked reference to terrorism or unidentified ships but because public opinion and opposition developed to foil the passage of the dangerous bills.

The core of the contingency bills is in allowing the Self-Defense Forces to take part in U.S. wars abroad and use force, and enabling the government to compel people to fight a war by depriving them of their freedoms and rights.

The bills were so dangerous that the people rose to foil the maneuvers of the government and the ruling parties.

Terrorism and unidentified ships are the excuse used by Prime Minister Koizumi because he is unable to explain to the people why such legislation is necessary.

The best security for the Japanese people is in strictly abiding by the peace principles of the constitution and establishing peaceful relations with other countries in Asia. (end)