Democratic Party and ruling parties agree on amending contingency bills

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), which is the largest opposition force in parliament, and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party struck a deal on a set of three contingency bills on May 13, paving the way for the bills to pass through the House of Representatives.

The Japanese Communist Party and democratic forces expressed opposition to the deal, saying that the amendments agreed upon have nothing to do with doing away with the dangerous aim of the legislation.

Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro and DP chair Kan Naoto agreed on amending the government bills, adding a clause on "respect for human rights," to the original draft.

Ignoring protests by the Japanese Communist and Social Democratic parties, the House of Representatives special committee's directors decided to put the bills to a vote in the committee on May 14 and in the plenary session on May 15.

JCP Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi on May 13 issued a statement, which said:

"The bills are aimed at (1) remaking Japan into a junior military partner in U.S.-led wars, and (2) mobilizing the people to this end. The amendment offers little change to the dangerous nature of the bills.

The DPJ made a bid deal of adding the clause of "respect for fundamental human rights." However, the contingency laws exist to limit human rights.

The DPJ reneged on the agreement of the four opposition parties, itself included, on the need to make a thorough investigation into the bills and the need to hold a public hearing.

The ruling parties and the DPJ undermined parliamentary democracy with an attempt to bulldoze such unjustifiable bills through the Diet. The JCP demands that a thorough discussion be held in the Diet. The war bills must be completely withdrawn."

At the meetings of Diet policy committee chairs and the special committee directors, JCP Dietmembers strongly opposed the undemocratic Diet steering.

The Japan Federation of Press Workers' Unions on May 13 issued an appeal in opposition to the contingency bills, and sent copies to all lawmakers. (end)