 |
2015/03/20
Okada expresses grave concern over ruling parties’ de facto decision on national security
|
On March 20, DPJ President Katsuya Okada held his regular press conference at party headquarters. Okada expressed his condolences for the Tunisia terrorist shooting incident, saying, “Many people, including three Japanese, lost their lives. I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences for all those who died.” He also commented on the anniversary of the sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway, stating, “This was the worst terrorist attack on Japanese soil. I would like to express my sympathy for the many victims of the attack who are still experiencing tremendous suffering twenty years on.”
Okada also commented on the fact that the ruling parties had come to a de facto agreement on the direction for national security legislation. He pointed out “What I particularly want to emphasize is that this will lead to a radical shift in Japan’s post-war security policy, changing the stance that we will not engage in the use of force overseas. Prime Minister Abe says that there are reasons for making this change, but the majority of the Japanese people do not fully understand the details of the change or the impact it will have…I am extremely concerned about the way the administration is proceeding with this matter so hastily without any noticeable debate taking place. Obtaining public understanding and convincing people through debate in the Diet is an indispensable part of the process. It is not simply a matter of waiting for a suitable period of time to have passed.”
Asked what he thought were the specific problems with the proposed security legislation, Okada said that revision of the PKO law, “would make possible the interpretation that the SDF could for example participate in peace-keeping operations in Afghanistan.” Regarding the provision of support for other nations’ military, Okada said, “The conditions for this are not clear. The [ruling party proposal] states, ‘areas where military action is not currently taking place’, but this could also be interpreted as ‘there was military action here yesterday, but not today, so providing support is acceptable.’ It is all too easy to envisage the SDF getting caught up in military action.” He also commented on the proposed revision to the law regarding incidents in the areas surrounding Japan, which would remove the stipulation “areas surrounding Japan” and would enable the SDF to provide support to the armies of other nations apart from the United States, stating, “The limit would be removed. This would change the purpose of the law, and so any normal Cabinet Legislation Bureau would not permit this kind of revision.” Okada also commented on right to collective self-defense: “Is it really acceptable to include provisions for Japan to exercise the use of force for economic reasons?” He also commented regarding collective security measures, “Does this mean that if the three new conditions are met, Japan would be able to engage in the use of force and participate from the start in conflicts like the Gulf War, provided a United Nations Resolution has been issued.” Okada added, “I am of the opinion that each of these questions is of itself an extremely difficult issue. The government needs to ensure there is proper debate and must obtain the understanding of the Japanese people.”
|
|
|
 |
|
