Japan Press Weekly

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2015 July 29 - August 4 [POLITICS]

PM Abe’s aide states what PM thinks about war bills

Prime Minister Abe’s aide, Isozaki Yosuke, on July 26 said in public regarding the controversial war bills, “Legal stability is irrelevant. We should rather consider whether the measures are necessary to protect our country.”

This is inconsistent with the government explanation about the bills.

The government has explained that the government-proposed bills on security legislation “maintain compatibility with the underlying logic in successive government’s view on Article 9 and legal stability.”

Isozaki, as a special advisor on national security to Prime Minister Abe, played a leading role in the process of the Abe Cabinet decision to lift the ban on Japan’s use of the collective self-defense right in July 2014 and in drafting the war bills in line with the Cabinet decision.

He made remarks denying the government explanation. Furthermore, on July 27 asked by reporters about his “irrelevant” remarks, Isozaki said, “In accordance with changes in the international situation, the meaning of the minimum use of armed force will also be changed,” hinting that the Constitution should be interpreted according to shifts in the international situation.

Even though Isozaki’s July 26 remarks sparked repercussions in the bills’ discussions which just started in the House of Councilors, both the Abe administration and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party showed reluctance to respond to the opposition parties’ request to remove Isozaki from his position.

At an Upper House plenary session on July 27, PM Abe said, “The government will thoroughly examine necessary protection measures based on continuing analysis and assessment of changes in the security environment surrounding Japan.”

It is apparent that the series of Isozaki’s remarks echoed PM Abe’s thoughts.

Past related article:
> Shii calls for retraction of Cabinet decision enabling Japan to use collective self-defense right [July 1, 2014]