Japan Press Weekly

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2015 December 9 - 15 [POLITICS]

Gov’t maintains unclear stance in regard to US requests for support in anti-IS air raids

An Abe Cabinet spokesperson refused to give a clear denial in response to Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Yamashita Yoshiki’s question concerning a scenario in which the U.S. requests Japan for support in its airstrikes against the Islamic State group at a House of Councilors Cabinet Committee meeting on December 10.

At the meeting discussing measures to counter terrorism, JCP Yamashita noted that the number of terror attacks and the number of people killed in those attacks have increased tenfold since the U.S. launched its retaliatory war in Afghanistan. He said, “The war against terrorism has failed to eradicate terrorism but instead turned more areas into hotbeds of terrorism.”

Yamashita cited the fact that after the Paris terror attacks, the U.S. and European nations are stubbornly insisting on the need to bomb the IS in Syria. Pointing out that under the war legislation which was forcibly established by the Abe administration, Japan’s participation in bombing raids against the IS would be legalized, Yamashita asked Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide if the Japanese government would refuse Washington’s request for military participation.

Suga just said that the government has no plan to provide rear-area support for military operations against the IS.

Yamashita said that if Japan gives a hand to assist in airstrikes, Japanese nationals will become a target for terror attacks and their lives will be put in danger wherever they are.

Stressing that the international community should make united efforts to eliminate terrorism, Yamashita proposed implementing countermeasures against terrorism based on UN Security Council resolutions, including shutting the supply of funds to terrorist groups; taking steps to eliminate poverty and political and religious discrimination; settling conflicts in Syria and Iraq; and providing support for Syrian refugees.

> Shii in lecture at Tokyo University calls for united anti-terrorism efforts by international community [November 23, 2015]
> Shii condemns terror attacks in Paris [November 15, 2015]