Japan Press Weekly

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2014 June 25 - July 1 [POLITICS]

Logistics support involves risk of death: SDF member in Akahata interview

An active-duty officer of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces in an Akahata interview objected to the Abe government move to lift the constitutional ban on Japan’s use of the collective self-defense right which will lead to the emasculation of the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution.

Prime Minister Abe Shinzo is insisting that when Japan exercises the right, the SDF will participate only in logistics support. The SDF member, however, said that in a battle area, even backup logistics support involves great risk.

In the Akahata interview on June 29, refuting Abe’s argument that SDF troops will engage in transportation and logistics in a rear-area and thus be kept away from danger, the SDF officer explained that the most effective method in modern-day warfare is to crush such rear-echelon support troops first.

Citing the fact that European nations such as Germany sent their soldiers to Afghanistan for logistics support and suffered many casualties, the officer pointed out that in the eyes of those European countries, the Japanese PM’s argument probably appears to be ludicrous.

Furthermore, he said that whenever SDF members are assigned to units providing logistic support for foreign militaries fighting guerilla wars such as wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, they are put under a mentally stressful situation where they always feel concern in regard to the killing of innocent civilians. He added that many of those members developed mental health problems.

Stating that he has been ready to risk his life in the event of attack from an enemy since he volunteered for service in the SDF, he expressed disapproval of the government intention to dispatch SDF troops for U.S. wars abroad which will put them in grave danger.

The SDF member praised Article 9 as the strongest shield for protecting SDF members’ lives and noted that thanks to this constitutional provision, SDF staff during their missions abroad have been able to avoid becoming military targets. He urged the government to stop its move to abandon this shield.