Japan Press Weekly

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2016 March 30 - April 5 TOP3 [POLITICS]

Osaka governor calls for debate on Japan’s N-arms or perfect collective self-defense right

Head of the Initiatives from Osaka (Osaka Ishin no Kai) and Osaka Governor Matsui Ichiro on March 29 told reporters at the prefectural government office building that Japan should discuss whether it can exercise the right to collective self-defense without restraint or possess nuclear weapons.

Matsui made this suggestion in reaction to Donald Trump, the front-runner in the U.S. Republican Party presidential nomination contest, having mentioned that he would be open to the idea of Japan developing nuclear arms if he assumed the presidency.

Matsui called for a national discussion if Japan should permit an unlimited exercise of the right to collective self-defense or have a genuine military with independent offensive capabilities. “If we decide to have such a military, we then will need to possess the ultimate weapon,” said the governor.

He said that it would be best for Japan to not possess a nuclear weapon as it is the only atomic-bombed nation in the world. He, however, asked, what if Japan loses the protection offered by U.S. military forces.

The Osaka Ishin no Kai chief emphasized, “With the prospect that Mr. Trump may become the next U.S. president, it is necessary for Japan to hold a series of discussions on the national security-related legislation and revise it so that Japan can have the collective self-defense right without restrictions.”

Matsui completely ignores the existence of Article 9 of the Constitution. His suggestion shows only two extreme positions: support for Japan’s nuclear armament and Japan’s unconditional right to collective self-defense.

Past related article:
> Osaka Ishin favors constitutional revision [March 27, 2016]
> Osaka Ishin no Kai is constitutional revisionist Abe’s supplementary party [December 23, 2015]