Japan Press Weekly

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2012 August 22 - 28 [SDF]

Cancel joint training for SDF to be ready to participate in US wars

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

The Ground Self-Defense Force and the U.S. 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force stationed in Okinawa on August 21 started their joint “islands defense” exercises in Guam and Tinian, which will last for 5 weeks until September 26.

The exercises are based on an agreement reached in April at the Japan-U.S. Consultative Committee (two-plus-two) meeting which called for the promotion of the two countries’ “dynamic defense cooperation.” It is a matter of grave concern for Japan to be taking part in the training to defend the islands used as U.S. strategic forward bases.

A joint statement issued at the meeting stated, “[B]ilateral dynamic defense cooperation, including timely and effective joint training, joint surveillance and reconnaissance activities, as well as joint and shared use of facilities, would strengthen deterrence.” It aims at demonstrating the two countries’ military capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region and having the SDF readied to support the U.S. military strategy.

The concept of “dynamic defense” was introduced in December 2010 by the Democratic Party of Japan-led coalition government in the National Defense Program Guidelines which proposed that the SDF “quickly and seamlessly” support the U.S. forces from ordinary situations to emergency situations.

Based on this policy, Prime Minister Noda published a joint statement in May at a summit meeting with President Barack Obama which pledged that they will “further enhance the Alliance’s ability to respond to a variety of contingencies in the region.”

If the SDF is allowed to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance activities to support U.S. military operations in an “emergency situation,” it could pave the way for the exercise of the unconstitutional right of collective defense.

The Japan-U.S. “dynamic defense cooperation” is aimed to strengthen the integration of bilateral military capabilities and accelerate the framework for the SDF to take part in U.S. wars abroad. The domestic demand for the abrogation of Japan-U.S. Security Treaty must be urgently increased.