November 22, 2012

The Liberal Democratic Party on November 21 released its core campaign pledges for the December 16 general election, seeking to create a law on homeland security which will allow Japan’s participation to engage in military actions abroad by exercising the collective self-defense right.

The law also calls for constitutional revision in order to officially designate the Self-Defense Forces as a national army.

The LDP in its campaign platform adopted a military-centric and hardline stance in regard to foreign policies. The party intends to establish a Japanese version of the U.S. National Security Council in order to strengthen the power of the prime minister, increase the number of personnel and the budget of the Self-Defense Forces, and enhance the security of territorial waters.

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on the same day at a press conference during a street campaign in Chiba Prefecture criticized the LDP for trying to change Japan into a nation capable of joining with the U.S. in wars in foreign countries.

Shii stressed, “The current government interpretation of the Constitution only allows Japan to use force in response to military attacks from outside. The LDP’s campaign platform not only deviates from this interpretation but also aims at sending the Japanese military abroad through constitutional revision.”

The JCP is determined to protect Article 9 of the Constitution and create a Japan which contributes to peace in Asia and the rest of the world with diplomacy utilizing Article 9, said the JCP chair.