December 4, 2014
Prime Minister Abe Shinzo is now making a desperate attempt to dodge public criticism over the Cabinet decision to implement Japan’s use of the collective self-defense right by saying, “The right will protect Japanese people’s lives. The argument that a draft system will be initiated or that Japan will go to war is a bunch of baloney (street speech in Kanagawa, Nov.30).”
Remarks made by Liberal Democratic Party politicians have, however, been causing the general public to be greatly alarmed of the possibility of an introduction of military conscription.
The LDP draft constitution deletes Clause 2 of Article 9 prohibiting possession of war potential and denying the right of belligerency, and outlines provisions on a national armed force and people’s obligations for national defense.
Preparing its draft constitution (March 2010), the LDP suggested that the need for obligatory military service should be considered as a point of discussion in regard to constitutional revision.
Inada Tomomi, chief of the LDP Policy Research Council, proposed that all young people come into contact with the Self-Defense Forces as an educational experience (“Seiron” March 2011).
Ishiba Shigeru, when he was director general of the former Defense Agency, admitted that he cannot agree with the assertion that conscription is unconstitutional (Lower House, May 2002).
He mentioned that he was in favor of the creation of a court-martial system, saying that soldiers who disobey orders to go into action should be subject to the maximum punishment allowable (BS TV program, Apr.21, 2013).
In response to a JCP Dietmember, Abe on July 14 admitted that the location where the SDF provides logistics support could turn into a battlefield. The very next day, he also admitted to the possibility of SDF members firing weapons to fulfill their missions abroad.
The right to collective self-defense is a means of fighting against enemies even if Japan is not under attack, so it is not “a bunch of baloney” as Abe says but is an act of entering into war.
Past related articles:
> PM Abe hints at possibility for SDF to use force abroad [July 16, 2014]
> PM Abe admits SDF may engage in battle [July 15, 2014]
Remarks made by Liberal Democratic Party politicians have, however, been causing the general public to be greatly alarmed of the possibility of an introduction of military conscription.
The LDP draft constitution deletes Clause 2 of Article 9 prohibiting possession of war potential and denying the right of belligerency, and outlines provisions on a national armed force and people’s obligations for national defense.
Preparing its draft constitution (March 2010), the LDP suggested that the need for obligatory military service should be considered as a point of discussion in regard to constitutional revision.
Inada Tomomi, chief of the LDP Policy Research Council, proposed that all young people come into contact with the Self-Defense Forces as an educational experience (“Seiron” March 2011).
Ishiba Shigeru, when he was director general of the former Defense Agency, admitted that he cannot agree with the assertion that conscription is unconstitutional (Lower House, May 2002).
He mentioned that he was in favor of the creation of a court-martial system, saying that soldiers who disobey orders to go into action should be subject to the maximum punishment allowable (BS TV program, Apr.21, 2013).
In response to a JCP Dietmember, Abe on July 14 admitted that the location where the SDF provides logistics support could turn into a battlefield. The very next day, he also admitted to the possibility of SDF members firing weapons to fulfill their missions abroad.
The right to collective self-defense is a means of fighting against enemies even if Japan is not under attack, so it is not “a bunch of baloney” as Abe says but is an act of entering into war.
Past related articles:
> PM Abe hints at possibility for SDF to use force abroad [July 16, 2014]
> PM Abe admits SDF may engage in battle [July 15, 2014]
