Japan Press Weekly

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2016 February 17 - 23 TOP3 [POLITICS]

5 opposition parties jointly submit a bill to abolish the war laws

The Japanese Communist, Democratic, Japan Innovation, People’s Life, and Social Democratic parties jointly submitted a bill to the House of Representatives on February 19, demanding the abolition of the security-related legislation which consists of ten revised laws and a new law.

The bill’s submitters include JCP Diet Policy Commission Chair Kokuta Keiji and his counterparts in the four other opposition parties. From the JCP, Chair Shii Kazuo and Lower House Dietmember Akamine Seiken also put their names on the list of submitters.

At a joint press conference held after the five parties handed the bill to the secretary-general of the House, JCP Kokuta said, “A strong push from public opinion has moved the five parties into introducing the joint submission. In order to restore constitutionalism, our party will continue to seek further cooperation among the opposition parties.”

Takagi Yoshiaki, the Democratic Party of Japan Diet Affairs Committee chair, said, “We call for a prompt start of Diet deliberations on our bill. The five parties will work together to arouse national discussion so that the revocation of the security legislation can be achieved.”

The Abe government on September 19, 2015 forcibly enacted the security legislation in disregard of public opposition by making a 180-degree turn in the constitutional interpretation that successive Japanese governments had. With this legislation, the use of the right to collective self-defense and the dispatch of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces enable Japan to assist in U.S.-led wars abroad at any time. It is obvious that the war laws not only trample on the pacifist Article 9 but also violate the Constitution as a whole.

Past related articles:
> Lawmakers of five opposition parties in anti-war rally: cooperation needed [October 19, 20155]
> Opposition parties and civic groups exchange views on ways to repeal war legislation [October 17, 2015]
> LDP and Komei forcibly enact war legislation [September 20 & 22, 2015]
> Shii condemns railroading of war bills [September 18, 2015]