Public medical workers must support U.S. forces even before armed attack

Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuda Yasuo has said that doctors and nurses at public hospitals will be assigned to provide medical support to U.S. forces in Japan if an attack on Japan is predicted.

At an Upper House Contingency Legislation Special Committee meeting on June 2, Fukuda stated that since public workers dedicate themselves to performing duties under the Government Officials Act, they must follow work orders in a situation in which armed attack is predicted.

Japanese Communist Party Upper House member Koike Akira, pointing out that the contingency legislation will allow citizens to be forcibly mobilized before Japan is attacked, demanded that the wartime bills be scrapped. (end)