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2014/07/14
Kaieda states that “three new conditions will not act as a brake”
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On July 14, intensive deliberations on foreign policy and security took place in the Committee on Budget in the House of Representatives. DPJ President Banri Kaieda was the first speaker to take to the podium for the party, and he questioned Prime Minister Abe on the talks between the ruling parties and the Cabinet decision on the right to collective self-defence, as well as the new three conditions.
Kaieda once again criticised the Cabinet decision, saying, “There is a danger that the interpretation of the Constitution will be changed to one totally opposite to the existing one, without heeding the voices of the people and without almost any debate in the Diet. I have doubts about such methods and am expressing my opposition.” He stated that the reality was that in opinion polls carried out by various media organizations, the majority of the public responded that explanations were inadequate, and called for a special committee to be established in the Diet so that the issue could be thoroughly discussed.
After checking the accuracy of recent remarks made by Cabinet Legislation Bureau Director General Yusuke Yokobatake and LDP Vice President Masahiko Komura with the Prime Minister, Kaieda stated, “On this occasion the step has been taken to exercise the right to collective self-defence, albeit in a limited way via the three new conditions, and this makes the content [of these conditions] extremely important. With regard to the scope of the right to self-defence permitted by the Constitution, Japan must protect oil, food and natural resources, but won’t this lead to the exercise of the right to collective self-defence in the event that these are cut off.” Abe responded, “When individual situations actually arise we will make decisions within the three new conditions. At the same time we are intending to undertake legal revisions, and Diet approval will be needed if the SDF are to use force. The SDF will be able to take action once the government and the Diet have determined that the three conditions have been fulfilled.”
Kaieda pointed out, “Even if this relates to individual situations, the fact that the government will ultimately make overall decisions will not act as a brake. If the government makes a decision, and it proves impossible to explain the crucial parts of that decision due to the application of the Act on the Protection of Specially Designated Secrets, then there is a danger that almost anything can be decided.” In response, the Prime Minister stated “The three new conditions will act as a brake. These could be described as among the strictest conditions anywhere in the world regarding permitting the use of the right to collective self-defence. We will make individual laws within the scope of these conditions.”
Kaieda pointed out that if a nation with which Japan shared close relations came under military attack, and Japan were to launch a retaliatory attack against the belligerent nation even though military combat had not actually started, then this would mean that Japan would have committed a preemptive strike against this nation, and stressed that it was necessary to be even more cautious than usual due to this risk. Abe emphasized that “[Japan’s] deterrent power would be increased by being able to exercise the right to collective self-defence.” In response, Kaieda questioned, “Isn’t that making deterrent power the be all and end all, stating that we will be able to ensure our safety by heightening our deterrent power.”
Kaieda referred to the fact that while U.S. President Obama had welcomed the current movement on the right to collective self-defence, he had also stated that “it would be a profound mistake to continue to see escalation around [the issue of the Senkakus] rather than dialogue and confidence-building measures,” and asked what the Prime Minister’s view on this was. Abe replied, “This was not a specific message to Japan, but a general message. Do you think Japan is escalating the situation regarding the Senkakus? If you think that my actions are escalating the situation I would like you to give a concrete example of this.”
Kaieda cited Abe’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine as one example, and urged caution, stating, “I believe that the Senkakus should be properly protected, but you should not take actions which give the Chinese side an excuse [for their behaviour].”
Kaieda also touched on the casualty figures and the social problems stemming from the huge stress felt by returning soldiers which had been borne by the countries that had cooperated with the United States in the Iraq war, and said, “We should be very cautious about engaging in military action overseas. From Prime Minister Abe’s explanation it seems there is no check placed upon this.”
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