SDF's counterattack in support of U.S. forces under attack is unconstitutional: JCP Akamine

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SDF's counterattack in support of U.S. forces under attack is unconstitutional: JCP Akamine

Japanese Communist Party representative Akamine Seiken in a House of Representatives Special Committee on Terrorism and Iraq meeting on October 19 criticized Defense Agency Director General Kyuma Fumio's remarks indicating that a Maritime Self-Defense Force unit can launch a counterattack if a U.S. forces unit it is assisting is attacked. "This amounts to the exercise of the right of collective self-defense, and constitutes a clear violation of the Constitution," Akamine said.

In the October 16 committee meeting, Kyuma said that if U.S. warships are attacked while MSDF vessels are refueling them in the Indian Ocean, "One cannot say for sure which ship, U.S. or MSDF, is being attacked. In this case, it seems that the SDF has no other choice but to launch a counterattack." The Defense Agency on October 18 confirmed that it agrees with the director general's remarks.

In response to Akamine's criticism, Kyuma expressed his view regarding such a counterattack as a matter of course, saying, "An attack against a U.S. forces unit during an MSDF refueling operation constitutes an attack against the MSDF unit. What if we cannot take any action to respond to such an attack?"

Pointing out that the government had explained that the SDF will engage in activities under the Special Measures Law on Terrorism only in "non-combat zones," Akamine stressed that the MSDF's counterattack will constitute a "combat action."
- Akahata, October 20, 2006