Japan Press Weekly

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Stop government from ignoring former Air SDF Chief of Staff’s improper conduct

Akahata editorial

The government is under fire for its lenience toward a former Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff who published an article criticizing the view that Japan was an “aggressor nation.” Gen. Tamogami Toshio said that such an assertion concerning Japan’s past war in Asia is a “false accusation.” The government allowed the author of the article, Gen. Tamogami Toshio, to retire without being reprimanded.

The problem is that the government, and the Defense Ministry in particular, appointed Tamogami to head the Air Self-Defense Force even though it was known that he had repeatedly praised Japan’s war of aggression. It is natural that the government is being criticized for trying to hush up this scandal. In order to establish the truth about this scandal and prevent its recurrence, it is essential to hold not only Tamogami but the government and the Defense Ministry accountable.

Coup against the Constitution

The denial of Japan’s war of aggression, which Tamogami stated in his essay in a company-sponsored contest, is tantamount to rejecting the principle our country adopted during the post-war era and endangering the very basis of democracy.

The Constitution of Japan states that the Japanese people “resolved that never again shall we be visited with the horrors of war through the action of government.” Tamogami’s essay negates this resolve marking the start of postwar politics. It could be described as a coup against the postwar Constitution.

The government, and the Defense Ministry in particular, admits that Tamogami’s essay contravenes the principle of “civilian control” but does not recognize that it tramples upon the Constitution. At a House of Councilors committee meeting on November 6, our representative Inoue Satoshi asked if the government was aware that Tamogami’s view was in violation of the Constitution’s Article 99 which states, “Public officials have the obligation to respect and uphold this Constitution.” Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu answered, “No, we are not.” In effect, this position makes it impossible for the government to punish Tamogami.

It is clear that the Tamogami essay contravenes the government’s official position stated in the August 1995 statement by then Prime Minister Murayama Tomiichi admitting that Japan’s colonial rule and aggression against Asian peoples forced suffering on them. This statement constitutes the basis of Japan’s Asia diplomacy. That is why Asian countries are infuriated by the Tamogami essay.

Everyone in the SDF knows that Tamogami began to argue in defense of the Japanese aggression against Asian countries even before he became the Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff, namely as the head of the Joint Staff College. The government and the Defense Ministry must be held responsible for appointing such a person to be the chief of Air Self-Defense Staff.

The appointment of a chief of staff is done by the defense minister upon cabinet approval. This is why Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura Takeo admitted that the cabinet “is also responsible for the affair” at the House of Councilors Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting on November 6.

Tamogami was appointed to be the chief of Air Self-Defense by then Defense Minister Kyuma Akio under Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s cabinet. He continued to hold the position under the Fukuda and Aso cabinets. Failure to investigate how that happened and to admit that the government is responsible for his appointment amounts to putting the lid on the matter.

Consequence of the policy of reinforcing SDF

It has been known that 94 higher-ranking SDF members took part in the essay contest in question. The government should investigate the affair and review the curriculum of the Defense College and take other steps to prevent such inappropriate acts.

The present problem should be seen as a reflection of the government policy of reinforcing the Self-Defense Forces through giving them overseas missions and a bigger say in government. It is indispensable to begin an in-depth discussion on key issues of Japan’s defense policy so that the Tamogami essay will not be used to pave the way for the Self-Defense Forces to go on another rampage.

? Akahata, November 9, 2008