Japan Press Weekly

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2015 June 10 - 16 [POLITICS]

Bill to establish defense equipment agency enacted

A bill to expand the Defense Ministry by establishing a defense equipment agency was enacted on June 10 after passing the House of Councilors. The Liberal Democratic and Komei parties voted in favor of the bill, and the Japanese Communist Party voted against the bill.

Prior to the vote, JCP lawmaker Inoue Satoshi expressed his opposition to the bill, by saying that the organizational revision is unacceptable as it will only enable the government to readily implement measures that will trample on Japan’s pacifism under Article 9 of the Constitution.

Inoue stated that the establishment of the defense equipment agency is part of the government effort to promote arms exports in accordance with demands from the military industry.

The JCP lawmaker pointed out that the bill will also eliminate post-war Japan’s civilian control over the Self-Defense Forces. He stressed that this revision seeks to facilitate Japan’s participation in U.S.-led wars by making the SDF’s opinions more directly and readily reflected in the ministry’s decision-making process.

Noting that many retired bureaucrats of the Defense Ministry (as well as the SDF) obtain employment with weapons manufacturers, Inoue called for an organizational reform that will end such collusive ties which are the root cause of many money scandals and bid-rigging schemes.


Past related articles:
> Abe wants to export more arms by establishing an additional defense-related agency [May 19 & 26, 2015]