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2015/05/22
Okada vows “We will pursue question of risk posed to the SDF in Diet committees as well”
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On May 22, DPJ President Katsuya Okada held his regular press conference at party headquarters. He referred to the question of risk posed to the SDF which he had pointed out in the Prime Minister’s Question Time of May 20, and vowed to raise this issue in committee, saying, “The definition of logistic support has changed and [the SDF] will operate in places nearer to the combat zone. Furthermore, I also suggested to the Prime Minister that the risks they face would increase as they may be required to transport weapons and ammunition, or armed soldiers. The Prime Minister’s reply was that it was not a question of risk.”
Minister of Defense Nakatani had stated on May 22 that “the risk to the SDF will not increase.” Regarding this, Okada said, “I don’t know what he really believes, but I find Minister Nakatani’s remarks extremely regrettable considering that in his position as the top of the Ministry of Defense he is ultimately responsible for the lives of SDF troops. The framework [for their operations] has changed dramatically, so that it is only natural that risks will increase. The Minister should have properly acknowledged this and given a thorough explanation of why it is necessary to exceed previous limits. Discussions should proceed to be expanded along these lines.”
Okada also referred to a statement made by LDP Secretary General Tanigaki to the effect that “necessity comes before the question of risk.” He stressed, “It is not a question of which comes first. Both should be properly explained. It is the government’s responsibility to explain the need [for the changes] and the risks that they pose. It is the task of the government who are intending to [alter the security legislation] to properly explain that the need is great so even if there are risks it is still necessary to go ahead…There cannot be debate if they refuse to even acknowledge the simple fact that risks will increase. I would like [the government] to engage in fruitful discussion in committee to obtain the understanding of the Japanese people.”
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