Abe’s commitment to US totally disregards the popular will
October 1, 2015
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2015 September 30 - October 6 [POLITICS]
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Prime Minister Abe Shinzo recently visited the United States and reported on the enactment of Japan’s war legislation to top officials of the U.S. government, expressing his resolve to expand the role of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces abroad. It is outrageous that the prime minister pledged to implement the controversial laws in defiance of public opposition in Japan which has grown even stronger after the enactment.
In a meeting with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, PM Abe said that Japan’s peace will become more secure due to the national security laws. He also voiced his hope that the two countries will further cooperate for regional and international peace and stability. The vice president replied that he appreciates Abe’s continuing efforts to cement the bilateral alliance.
Foreign Minister Kishida Fumio met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter at the Pentagon on September 29. Kishida stressed in the talks that the newly-enacted laws and the revised Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation will help strengthen the bilateral alliance’s deterrent and capabilities to deal with any contingency.
The new Defense Guidelines agreed upon in April states that the two allies will jointly counter possible armed attacks on the U.S. and that Japan’s SDF will provide military support to U.S. forces around the globe. To implement the Guidelines effectively, the war legislation enables Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense and opens the way for the SDF’s use of force overseas. Under the new laws, the SDF is able to enter combat zones in order to offer logistic support to the U.S. military as well as to use weapons to defend U.S. troops.
The war legislation, which violates the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution and totally integrates the SDF into U.S. military actions around the world, will put Japan’s peace at risk.
The security legislation will come into force within six months after its promulgation on September 30. Defense Minister Nakatani Gen already directed high-ranking officers of the ministry and the SDF to prepare for its enforcement. What is needed now is to further increase public movements to repeal the laws and restore constitutionalism.
Past related article:
> JCP proposes establishing a national coalition gov’t to repeal war legislation [September 20, 2015]
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