SDF should be treated as 'armed forces': SDF officials

A group of Dietmembers who demand that the Defense Agency be upgraded to a "ministry" on July 10 held a general meeting in Tokyo.

The House of Councilors Parliamentarians League for the Establishment of the Defense Ministry was founded in late 2000 and began to promote legislation to achieve their aims.

Defense Agency Director General Ishiba Shigeru in a speech stated, "The Defense Agency and the Self-Defense Forces are risking their lives to defend Japan's independence. The agency should be promoted to a ministry as soon as possible."

In addition to DA officials, more than 20 officers of the Ground, Maritime, and Air SDF participated in the meeting.

MSDF Chief of Staff Furusho Koichi demanded that the SDF be renamed to "armed forces", by saying, "When we are dispatched abroad, it is hard for non-Japanese people to understand what the MSDF is. It should be called the 'Japanese Navy' so that its true role will be properly identified."

Since the Defense Agency is currently an external organ of the Cabinet Office, the DA director general is not allowed to propose bills to the Cabinet Meeting. (end)