Abe Cabinet should revoke its decision dragging Japan into US wars
February 8, 2015
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2015 February 4 - 10 [POLITICS]
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The Liberal Democratic and Komei parties are planning to resume their discussions on making security-related legislation based on the Cabinet decision lifting the ban on Japan’s use of the collective self-defense right. They are also seeking to start Diet deliberations regarding the legislation in early May. In the current Diet session, Prime Minister Abe Shinzo indicated the possibility that if Japan’s ally comes under attack in reaction to a preemptive strike, Japan would use armed force by exercising the right to collective self-defense. The dangerous nature of the Cabinet decision has become crystal clear.
In question-answer sessions in the Diet, asked about whether Japan can resort to military action in a situation where a “nation having close ties with Japan” suffers a retaliatory attack after launching a first strike, the prime minister said that the use of military force will be determined in light of the three new conditions which the Abe Cabinet set up in association with its controversial decision. As an example of a “nation having close ties with Japan”, he mentioned Japan’s key ally, the United States (February 2, House of Councilors Budget Committee).
The PM’s remarks revealed that in a war that the United States starts with a preemptive attack, Japan could use its military to defend America against retaliation.
Abe repeatedly insisted that it is “constitutionally possible” for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to provide logistics support for the U.S.-led coalition conducting air strikes against the Islamic extremist group in Syria. He also expressed his intention to create a permanent law enabling the government to dispatch the SDF immediately to anywhere in the world at any time for rear-area support for the U.S. military and multi-national forces (February 5, Upper House committee on budget). Rear area assistance includes transportation and provision of necessary supplies and medical services and is a military mission vital to any war. To engage in such a mission obviously violates Article 9 of the Constitution prohibiting Japan from making military contributions to international conflicts.
It is important to press the government to revoke the Cabinet decision paving the way for Japan’s participation in U.S. wars.
Past related article:
> Abe considers beefing up security laws using pretext of hostage situation in Syria [January 26, 2015]
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