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Realigned Japan-U.S. alliance prepares Japan for war not 'defense'
Akahata editorial

The document entitled "U.S.-Japan Alliance: Transformation and Realignment for the Future" was published by the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (2+2) consisting of the Japanese and U.S. foreign and defense ministers. It has serious bearings on Japan's peace and security.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has so far stated that the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty is a treaty for purely defensive security (Foreign Ministry: "New Japan-U.S. mutual cooperation and Security Treaty"). However, the "defense of Japan" is no longer what the Security Treaty is about. The document calls for the security treaty to be transformed into a global Japan-U.S. military alliance for military intervention.

Intervention in international disputes

The document states that its aim is "to adapt the alliance to the changing regional and global security environment." It redirects the Japan-U.S. security system to become a military alliance capable of waging U.S. preemptive wars under the pretext of countering terrorism and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Realigning the alliance is thus aimed at establishing preparedness for intervening in international conflicts. It has nothing to do with Japan's defense. Under the heading of "primary areas," the document stated two tasks: "Defense of Japan and responses to situations in areas surrounding Japan, including responses to new threats and diverse contingencies and participation in international peace cooperation activities."

"Participation in international peace cooperation activities" means not only participation in United Nations peace-keeping operations but focuses on U.S. preemptive wars in the future. This makes clear that Japan will take part in wars that the United States starts.

Another problem is that the document states that "responses to situations in areas surrounding Japan" include "responses to new threats and diverse contingencies." Situations in areas surrounding Japan as referred to in the Law on Situations in Areas Surrounding Japan, which was established based on the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation, are defined as situations that may lead to immediate armed attacks against Japan, if left as it is. The law has enabled Japan to provide the U.S. forces with various support, even though Japan has not been attacked. However, its stated aim remains the "defense of Japan" from armed attacks. As the "Law on Situations" has not assumed cases of terror attacks and other "new threats," Japan is unable to assist U.S. forces in wars against terrorism. The U.S. government wants the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to militarily assist U.S. forces carrying out anti-terror wars, even though there is no armed aggression against Japan and without the enactment of special legislation as in the case of the special measures law over Iraq.

Virtually throwing away the stated aim of "defending Japan," the report goes as far as to transform the Japan-U.S. alliance into a military alliance to carry out the U.S. preemptive war strategy.

The report also makes it clear that Japan will take a series of steps needed for waging wars abroad with the United States, including increasing its logistic support, acquiring high-speed transport ships which the United States places high emphasis on, and integrating Japanese and U.S. command functions.

It is now clear that the realignment of U.S. military bases in Japan has nothing to do with the "defense of Japan." The report states clearly that Japan will assist U.S. forces in preemptive wars by turning the country into a major stepping-stone for them to rapidly intervene in conflicts anywhere in the world.

The plans set out in this report are facing strong opposition from the governor of Okinawa Prefecture and many other heads of municipalities, including Zama City, Sagamihara City, and Iwakuni City, which will be affected by these plans.

The Koizumi Cabinet must not high-handedly impose these plans on local governments and residents on the grounds that it has promised the United States complete coordination with local authorities by March next year.

Increase our movement for peace

In the world, in particular in Asia, efforts are being made to accelerate the movement toward peace despite the various difficulties. Japan should take this into account if it says that Japan's security is a matter of concern.

Let us work hard to expand and accelerate the current of peace in cooperation with other Asian countries. -- Akahata, November 5, 2005