Japan Press Weekly

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2015 May 13 - 19 [POLITICS]

Most local papers warn against Abe’s war legislation

Following the Abe government’s submission of war-related bills to the Diet on May 15, a number of local newspapers throughout the country have been sounding an alarm bell regarding the move.

By May 16, 37 local papers nationwide dealt with this issue in their editorials or commentary articles. Of them, 35 papers oppose enactment of those bills or demand thorough Diet deliberations on them.

The Kobe Shimbun expressed, “The proposed bills threaten the idea of pacifism of the Japanese Constitution. The government should retract them and listen to the voices of the general public.” The Ehime Shimbun also demanded the withdrawal of the measures, saying, “It is unacceptable for the administration to keep running wild in disregard of public opinion.”

Prime Minister Abe Shinzo describes the war legislation as “peace and security” legislation intended to “consistently” protect people’s lives. The Minami-Nippon Shimbun said, “The ‘consistent’ response to situations actually means the ‘unlimited’ overseas dispatch of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.” The Fukui Shimbun stated, “The legislation is given the name of ‘peace’, but it is clearly designed to enable Japan to enter wars abroad.”

The Tokyo Shimbun pointed out that the legislation will dramatically enhance the possibility that SDF personnel may become involved in combat situations and be killed as a result.

PM Abe delivered a speech in the U.S. Congress at the end of April, pledging to enact war bills by summer. The Nishinippon Shimbun criticized the prime minister for considering Japan’s parliament as an organization ready to rubber-stamp Japan-U.S. agreements.

The Chugoku Shimbun condemned the government for introducing the bills that will affect 10 existing laws in a single set. Noting that the proposed measures contain a significant change in the conventional interpretation of the Constitution, it urged the Diet to spend sufficient time discussing each bill.

Past related articles:
> Yamashita: JCP will increase its efforts to scrap war legislation-related bills [May 12, 2015]
> 30,000 citizens speak out against gov’t move to destroy pacifist Constitution [May 4, 2015]