ニュース 2015/05/14 Okada comments on Cabinet approval for security legislation: “I still have doubts as to whether this legislation can protect the lives and livelihoods of citizens” On May 14, DPJ President Katsuya Okada responded to reporters’ questions inside the Diet following the Abe cabinet’s decision to approve security related legislation. Okada pointed out, “Japan has enjoyed 70 years of peace since the end of WWII. I believe that this peace has been achieved through the two driving forces of our pacifist Constitution and the Japan-U.S. Alliance. At the root of that pacifist Constitution lies the pledge that Japan will not engage in the use of force overseas.” He went on to criticize the fact that the cabinet decision would change this, stating, “This legislation will permit the use of the right to collective self-defense, even if in a limited fashion, and while it does not touch on the use of force itself, it includes provisions to support the armed forces of the United States and other countries in a way that barely avoids crossing the line. Consequently, I still have doubts as to whether this legislation can protect the lives and livelihoods of citizens.” Prime Minister Abe had remarked during his trip to the U.S. that he would ensure the legislation “was passed by the summer”. Okada said “It is extremely problematic that [the Prime Minister] set the firm deadline of ‘this summer’. He needs to obtain the understanding of the people for such an important matter, but using an expression which suggests he is denying from the first any intention of trying to obtain such an understanding is really worrying.” Okada also criticized the government’s intention of submitting the legislation to the Diet as a package, saying, “It is extremely problematic. It seems like they have no intention of trying to gain public understanding right from the word go.” He added, “We will call for the legislation to be debated individually on a topic-by-topic basis.” The Prime Minister had commented in the plenary session of the House of Representatives on May 12 that his general election victory had given him a mandate from the people. Okada said, “I am sure that the public themselves are the ones best placed to understand this, but [the victory] does not indicate that they have left everything in the hands of the Prime Minister.” Okada also commented on opposition cooperation during the debate on the security-related legislation, saying, “We are prepared to cooperate fully with any of the other opposition parties and work to deepen the debate. We have no intention of totally refusing to discuss the issue.”