Japan Press Weekly

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2008 July 16 - 22 [SDF]

Government panel calls for revision of civilian control of SDF

A government panel on Defense Ministry reform on July 15 submitted to Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo a report suggesting that Self-Defense Forces officers be given more of a say in the organization.

The report called for the principle of civilian control to be reformed into one devoted to fulfilling the duties for national security in the 21st century.

It proposed positioning uniformed Self-Defense Forces officers in the ministry’s Operational Policy Bureau and having the Joint Staff Office manage SDF units.

The government has explained that Japan maintains the principle of civilian control of the SDF based on reflections on the past war of aggression and under the present Constitution of Japan with the aim of preventing the SDF from going on a rampage.

The panel’s report insisted that the cabinet and the Defense Ministry strengthen their functions, arguing that the SDF should operate multi-functionally, flexibly, and effectively in order to be able to respond to regional conflicts and terrorist attacks. It called for a meeting attended by the Chief Cabinet Secretary, the foreign minister, and the defense minister to be institutionalized.

The panel was set up last December after public criticism increased over cozy relations and corruption scandals involving former Vice Defense Minister Moriya Takemasa and other Defense Ministry officials. However, its report only called for strict compliance of rules to be ensured and failed to propose measures to eradicate corruption between bureaucrats and military business sectors.
- Akahata, July 16, 2008