Japan Press Weekly

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2014 July 9 - 15 [POLITICS]

Abe explains collective self-defense differently at home and abroad

Regarding the July 1 Cabinet decision to lift the ban on Japan’s exercise of the collective self-defense right, Prime Minister Abe Shinzo is deliberately using different explanations when abroad and when within the country with the aim to avoid domestic criticisms.

The prime minister, during his tour to New Zealand, Australia, and Papua New Guinea from July 7 to July 12, explained the Cabinet decision to each national leader, stressing that Japan will renew legislation on security issues.

Abe on July 8 in his speech at the Australian Parliament stated, “Japan is now working to change its legal basis for security so that we can act jointly with other countries in as many ways as possible.”

He made similar remarks in meetings with his New Zealand counterpart John Key on July 7 as well as Australian counterpart Tony Abbott on July 8.

On the other hand, Abe is describing the Cabinet decision to Japanese citizens as if no drastic change will transpire. This is because he is afraid of public opinion opposing the legalization of the right to collective self-defense and criticizing the revision of the constitutional interpretation by a Cabinet decision for undermining constitutionalism.

The prime minister on July 1 at a press conference stressed that the basic idea underlying the current constitutional interpretation will remain unchanged even following the Cabinet decision.

The Cabinet Secretariat on a question-and-answer page regarding this issue which was set up on its website on July 5, argued that the latest Cabinet decision is not regarded as an amendment to the Constitution through new interpretations.

Prime Minister Abe when abroad stated that the Cabinet decision will change the legal basis for the national security. However, he is trying to cover up this point in order to escape criticism at home. It highlights the dishonest nature of the Abe government.