Shii denounces Koizumi's call for constitutional revision aimed at 'collective defense' with U.S. forces

Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chair Shii Kazuo denounced Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro's call for constitutional revision enabling Japan to exercise the right of collective self-defense. "This is the way for Japan to collectively carry out aggression against other countries in cooperation with the United States, in violation of the United Nations Charter."

Shii was referring to Prime Minister Koizumi's remarks on an NHK political debate program aired on June 27. Koizumi argued that the Constitution needs to be revised so that "Japan and the United States cooperating under the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty can exercise the right of collective self-defense."

Speaking at a news conference in Sapporo City in Hokkaido on June 28, Shii said, "The problem is that the United States is calling on Japan to exercise the right of self-defense in preemptive strikes and acts of aggression instead of in self-defense against attacks as provided for in the U.N. Charter."

Shii also said that this U.S. design is clear from the recent U.S. moves to increase the maneuverability of the U.S. forces in Japan and coordinated action between the USFJ and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. (end)