 JCP Shii: SDF activity in Sumatra must be limited to humanitarian support Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on January 19 stated that the JCP will not oppose the sending of the Self-Defense Forces to earthquake-hit areas off Sumatra Island so long as they are limited to humanitarian activities. In answer to questions from reporters, Shii said: "The JCP considers that relief activities in earthquake-hit disaster areas should be through a United Nations-led operation of various countries. "As regards the use of the SDF, the JCP sees no reason to oppose their participation in humanitarian assistance in the reconstruction of major disaster areas." However, Defense Agency Director General Ohno Yoshinori added that "SDF humanitarian activities in Iraq and Sumatra in Indonesia have been appreciated." The government calls for amending the SDF Law in the next Diet session to the effect that overseas dispatch of the SDF be upgraded to a "major SDF mission." Shii criticized Ohno for "taking advantage of the SDF disaster relief activities to increase SDF dispatches abroad." "SDF activities in Indonesia must be strictly limited to humanitarian assistance," Shii stressed. (end) |