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Unified SDF command to make it easier to go to war
Akahata editorial (excerpts)

Effective March 27, the Ground, Air, and Maritime Self-Defense Forces will come under a unified command.

The SDF will then be transformed into an integrated standing military like the U.S. forces, and the joint staff council newly established under the Defense Agency director-general will command the three self-defense forces comprising the 250,000-strong military. It will mark a big step toward strengthening Japan-U.S. military integration and allowing the SDF to fight wars abroad.

Behind the transformation in the SDF lies the U.S. Bush administration's intention to enable the SDF in wars abroad to engage in U.S. military operations. The United States has been calling for the change because it believes it is difficult for U.S. forces to swiftly carry out joint operation with the present Ground, Maritime, and Air Defense forces because they operate under different chiefs of staff.

Giving the joint staff chief greater authority will allow the SDF to exercise greater political influence.

The issue of a unified operational system has been discussed ever since the SDF was initiated. However, the government rejected the concept so that the past abuses by the military could not be repeated. (May 31, 1954, House of Councilors Cabinet Committee).

Unifying operational command will substantially change the system into one of weakening the authority of intra-ministerial bureaus and relatively increasing the authority of the joint staff chief.

The joint operational system, disregarding the lessons of history and preparing for fighting wars abroad, is incompatible with the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution. Transforming the SDF operational system is in anticipation of changing Article 9 and is intended to enable the effective use of military force abroad.

However, in Asia and the rest of the world, the majority demand the settling of international disputes by peaceful means, instead of resorting to war.

We must put a stop to the adverse moves of the Koizumi Cabinet against peace and social justice. - Akahata, March 22, 2006