Japan Press Weekly

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2014 May 28 - June 3 TOP3 [POLITICS]

PM Abe hints at enabling SDF to enter combat zones

Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has hinted at reviewing the present two requirements that prohibit the Self-Defense Forces from using armed force and from entering combat zones when dispatched abroad.

Abe suggested such a possibility in responding to questions by Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo at a House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting on May 28.

Shii in the meeting pointed out that because of those “two brakes”, the dispatched SDF personnel had been able to stay within missions of refueling, water-supply, and airlift in both the 2001 Afghanistan War and the 2003 Iraq War.

The prime minister claimed that the SDF “will not engage in combat action abroad” but stopped short of saying that he will maintain the “two brakes” in the new constitutional interpretation he is aiming to establish.

The JCP representative then asked about the SDF’s logistics support in non-combat zones, such as medical care, shipment of supplies, and transportation for the U.S. forces.

Abe in response said that he will consider reviewing the definition of non-combat zones as well, alluding to the possible expansion of the scope of SDF’s rear-area logistics support zones.

Shii cited the fact that NATO forces in the Afghanistan War had engaged in logistics activities and that 21 NATO countries together sacrificed 1,031 soldiers despite providing non-combatant support while the U.S. having directly engaged in battle lost 2,322 lives.

He singled out the absence of the “two brakes” in the NATO countries as a cause of the death toll.

Arguing that no matter if they take part in logistics support or in battle, once they are sent to war zones they will be under attack and drawn into combat, the JCP head again demanded that the Abe government stop considering facilitating overseas dispatches of the SDF by changing the existing interpretation of the Constitution.