ニュース 2014/07/01 Kaieda comments on Cabinet decision, states “naturally this is something we cannot accept” On July 1, DPJ President Banri Kaieda held his regular press conference at party headquarters, stating his opinion regarding the Cabinet decision to permit the use of the right to collective self-defence, and reporting on his trips to various parts of Japan. Kaieda commented on the Cabinet’s decision to permit the use of the right to collective self-defence, saying, “This is a significant decision which directly denies the existing interpretation of the Constitution, directly changes the our nation’s existing security policy, and has taken place following backroom discussions between the ruling parties without debate taking place in the Diet. Naturally this is something we cannot accept.” The Cabinet decision states that based on the new three conditions for the use of force, “We have come to the conclusion […] that when an armed attack against a foreign country that is in a close relationship with Japan occurs and as a result threatens Japan’s survival, and carries a clear risk of fundamentally overturning the rights of the Japanese people, use of force to the minimum extent necessary should be permitted under the Constitution as a self-defence measure.” Kaieda commented on the government’s move to change the existing interpretation of the Constitution to permit the use of the right to collective self-defence, stating, “Its basis is the 1972 government view, which states that the right to self-defence should only be permitted in ‘imminent unlawful situations where the people’s right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is fundamentally overturned’, and concludes that all other cases involve the collective right to self-defence, the use of which cannot be permitted [under the Constitution]. It is an impossible stretch to reach the conclusion that ‘we can use the right to collective self-defence’ from these three conditions, and I believe that there is a lack of logical consistency.” Kaieda went on to report that, following views voiced by Diet members in the recent general meeting, he had decided to travel around Japan during July to listen to the opinions of party members, supporters and local assembly members, and had started out by travelling to Hokkaido to attend town meetings s on June 28 and 29. He announced that he intended to visit Fukushima on July 4, to meet with victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and nuclear accident.