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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Revised SDF Law allows DA chief and unit commander to order to 'intercept' missile

The Diet on July 22 enacted a bill to amend the Self-Defense Forces Law allowing the Defense Agency chief to order intercepting enemy missiles without the approval of the prime minister or the cabinet.

The House of Councilors on the same day approved a bill to revise the Defense Agency Establishment Law to set up a joint command chief and a new council to jointly command and move the three SDFs.

The ruling Liberal Democratic and Komei parties voted in favor, while the opposition Communist, Democratic, and Social Democratic parties voted against.

The introduction of the new "missile-defense" system starts in late 2006. Under the new law, the defense chief may order launching interceptor missiles even though a cabinet order to mobilize the SDFs has not been given.

When an enemy's move to fire a missile is detected, the chief, under the prime minister's approval, may order the commander to intercept them. Also, even in case such a sign is not perceived, he may order the missile commander to be prepared to intercept a sudden enemy missile attack.

The latter, if enacted, will enable relevant commanders to fire missiles at their own direction.

The government plans to deploy Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) interceptor missiles by March 2007 and the Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) on Aegis vessels by March 2008. Under this initial plan, allegedly costing one trillion yen, the deployment will finish by March 2012.

The SDF's unified commanding structure is to be reshaped by replacing the Joint Staff Council and its secretary office, which have been regarded as a "coordinating body," with the Joint Staff Council Office under a joint command chief who will command the Air, Ground and Maritime forces for their unified operation. Currently, the operation of the three forces is commanded by the staff council of each.

These revisions constitute a clear sign that Japan is prepared to commit itself to U.S. first strike strategy that requires the SDF's instant response.

Under the integrated MD system, Japan will be urged to exercise the unconstitutional collective right of self-defense for affairs that have nothing to do with Japan's defense. -- Akahata, July 23, 2005