May 27, 2009
Prime Minister Aso Taro said to reporters on May 26 that legally, Japan can launch a preemptive attack on North Korea’s missile base.
He said, “Since the second half of the 1950s, it has been understood that Japan can attack enemy bases by establishing a certain framework.”
Following the North Korean nuclear test on May 25, some in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party began to call for Japan to consider acquiring the capability to attack enemy bases.
They are advocating that Japan must launch preemptive strike in response to an anticipated enemy attack. Such an argument goes against the Constitution that formally renounces the state's right to wage war.
The Aso remark will help to encourage such dangerous arguments in the Diet.
If Japan responds militarily to North Korea’s military provocations, it will just increase tensions in the East Asian region and will make it more difficult to resolve the questions relating to North Korea.
* * *
In line with Aso’s statement supporting the “attack enemy bases” arguments, members of the LDP’s panel on national defense is stressing the need to revise the Constitution and push ahead with the plan to ensure the capability to preemptively attack enemy bases.
They were discussing this issue at the division’s defense subcommittee meeting on May 26 so that the LDP may reach a consensus on the new National Defense Program Outline, which will be reviewed this year.
The LDP panel is calling for the introduction of sea-launched cruise missiles, the extension of the use of space for military purposes, including the use of an early warning satellite, and the possession of capabilities to attack enemy missile bases in a hostile country. They want all these points to be included in the long-term defense plan.
The LDP defense lawmakers demand that the new long-term plan include such proposals as the use of the collective right of defense, the enactment of a permanent law to send the Self-Defense Forces overseas, and a review of the Three Principles banning Japan’s arms exports.
The division will compile its proposal in June.
He said, “Since the second half of the 1950s, it has been understood that Japan can attack enemy bases by establishing a certain framework.”
Following the North Korean nuclear test on May 25, some in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party began to call for Japan to consider acquiring the capability to attack enemy bases.
They are advocating that Japan must launch preemptive strike in response to an anticipated enemy attack. Such an argument goes against the Constitution that formally renounces the state's right to wage war.
The Aso remark will help to encourage such dangerous arguments in the Diet.
If Japan responds militarily to North Korea’s military provocations, it will just increase tensions in the East Asian region and will make it more difficult to resolve the questions relating to North Korea.
* * *
In line with Aso’s statement supporting the “attack enemy bases” arguments, members of the LDP’s panel on national defense is stressing the need to revise the Constitution and push ahead with the plan to ensure the capability to preemptively attack enemy bases.
They were discussing this issue at the division’s defense subcommittee meeting on May 26 so that the LDP may reach a consensus on the new National Defense Program Outline, which will be reviewed this year.
The LDP panel is calling for the introduction of sea-launched cruise missiles, the extension of the use of space for military purposes, including the use of an early warning satellite, and the possession of capabilities to attack enemy missile bases in a hostile country. They want all these points to be included in the long-term defense plan.
The LDP defense lawmakers demand that the new long-term plan include such proposals as the use of the collective right of defense, the enactment of a permanent law to send the Self-Defense Forces overseas, and a review of the Three Principles banning Japan’s arms exports.
The division will compile its proposal in June.
