Japan Press Weekly

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2013 July 3 - 9 [ELECTION]

DPJ candidate for Upper House election repeatedly makes outlandishly hawkish remarks

A Democratic Party of Japan candidate for the House of Councilors election in the Kyoto constituency, Kitagami Keiro, has repeatedly made hawkish remarks.

“What is important is to find the way to inculcate people with a strong sense of patriotism which drives them to be willing to die for the nation,” the DPJ candidate said at a discussion session which was reported by Asahi Shimbun Kyoto local edition on June 18.

Asahi Shimbun Twitter accounts received many angry tweets about Kitagami’s remark from viewers.

In a panel discussion hosted by the Junior Chamber International Kyoto on July 2, Kitagami commenting on foreign affairs issues said that the Ground Self-Defense Force should have the same military capabilities as the U.S. Marine Corps. He also argued that Japan should be allowed to exercise the right to collective self-defense.