Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2014 July 2 - 8 [POLITICS]

Scholars: Cabinet decision on collective self-defense is direct challenge to democracy

A scholars’ group formed to protect constitutional democracy on July 4 at a press conference in the Diet building released a statement protesting the Abe Cabinet’s decision to lift the ban on Japan’s use of the right to collective self-defense.

The statement criticizes the decision as denying constitutionalism. It stresses that the Cabinet decision is totally unacceptable as it is a direct challenge to the principles of popular sovereignty and democracy.

In the press conference, Keio University Professor Emeritus Kobayashi Setsu said that from the aspect of international laws, the use of the collective self-defense right amounts to deploying armed forces overseas. He pointed out that Prime Minister Abe is lying when he claims that Japan’s exercise of the controversial right will not lead to involvement in wars abroad. “I feel fear with such a person serving as prime minister,” Kobayashi added.

Past related article
> Scholars stand up against PM Abe’s move to turn Japan into war-fighting nation [April 19, 2014]