May 31, 2009
Akahata editorial
The ruling Liberal Democratic and Komei parties are rushing to enact a bill to allow the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to use arms in the so-called anti-piracy operations in waters off the coast of Somalia by extending the current session of the Diet.
Unlike the “special measures” laws to send SDF units to Iraq for a limited period of time, the "anti-piracy" bill, if enacted, will allow the government to send the SDF abroad permanently and authorize them to use arms to defend foreign vessels in the high seas in violation of the Constitution that renounces the use of force.
However, the government is seeking to pass the bill through the current session of the Diet as a step toward enacting a permanent law enabling the government to send more SDF units abroad.
In the waters off the coast of Somalia, SDF warships armed with guns and missiles will be allowed to attack pirates engaging in certain activities. Such armed attacks could sink vessels and kill people.
The government says that the SDF will be allowed to “use force within a rational range,” thus leaving the decision to each MSDF ship commander. The government does not have any detailed standards of operation, including those concerning the types of weapons that can be used.
At the House of Councilors Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense on December 6, 2001, a government official stated that the SDF is not allowed to use arms for purposes other than in legitimate self-defense. The "anti-piracy" bill that will allow the SDF to “use force in its mission” conflicts with the Constitution.
Also, the government has maintained that the use of force by the SDF cannot be allowed when dealing with “quasi-state” organizations. Some argue that Somali pirates could be regarded as part of “quasi-state” organizations. This requires the Diet to explain its definition of pirates. The government, which eagerly attempts to use force near Somalia without trying to acknowledge the background behind “piracy,” should be denounced.
About 40 warships from over 25 nations deployed to the area. The areas of their coverage range from off the coast of Somalia to the Gulf of Aden, and the number of “pirates” has been on the increase. This indicates that the use of force cannot help eliminate “pirates”, but will rather increase the distrust among Somali people.
What should Japan, a nation with the war-renouncing Article 9 in its Constitution, do on the issue of Somalia? Playing a military role is not the answer. Instead, Japan should take the initiative in developing international actions for the rehabilitation and political/economic stabilization of Somalia, as well as increasing non-military patrol capabilities in the waters off Somalia and the neighboring region.
There is no alternative but for the government to halt its attempt to pass the “anti-piracy” bill. It is called upon to make every effort to resolve the Somali issue using political and diplomatic means.
The ruling Liberal Democratic and Komei parties are rushing to enact a bill to allow the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to use arms in the so-called anti-piracy operations in waters off the coast of Somalia by extending the current session of the Diet.
Unlike the “special measures” laws to send SDF units to Iraq for a limited period of time, the "anti-piracy" bill, if enacted, will allow the government to send the SDF abroad permanently and authorize them to use arms to defend foreign vessels in the high seas in violation of the Constitution that renounces the use of force.
However, the government is seeking to pass the bill through the current session of the Diet as a step toward enacting a permanent law enabling the government to send more SDF units abroad.
In the waters off the coast of Somalia, SDF warships armed with guns and missiles will be allowed to attack pirates engaging in certain activities. Such armed attacks could sink vessels and kill people.
The government says that the SDF will be allowed to “use force within a rational range,” thus leaving the decision to each MSDF ship commander. The government does not have any detailed standards of operation, including those concerning the types of weapons that can be used.
At the House of Councilors Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense on December 6, 2001, a government official stated that the SDF is not allowed to use arms for purposes other than in legitimate self-defense. The "anti-piracy" bill that will allow the SDF to “use force in its mission” conflicts with the Constitution.
Also, the government has maintained that the use of force by the SDF cannot be allowed when dealing with “quasi-state” organizations. Some argue that Somali pirates could be regarded as part of “quasi-state” organizations. This requires the Diet to explain its definition of pirates. The government, which eagerly attempts to use force near Somalia without trying to acknowledge the background behind “piracy,” should be denounced.
About 40 warships from over 25 nations deployed to the area. The areas of their coverage range from off the coast of Somalia to the Gulf of Aden, and the number of “pirates” has been on the increase. This indicates that the use of force cannot help eliminate “pirates”, but will rather increase the distrust among Somali people.
What should Japan, a nation with the war-renouncing Article 9 in its Constitution, do on the issue of Somalia? Playing a military role is not the answer. Instead, Japan should take the initiative in developing international actions for the rehabilitation and political/economic stabilization of Somalia, as well as increasing non-military patrol capabilities in the waters off Somalia and the neighboring region.
There is no alternative but for the government to halt its attempt to pass the “anti-piracy” bill. It is called upon to make every effort to resolve the Somali issue using political and diplomatic means.
