ニュース 2015/08/21 Renho notes bills do not assure avoidance of risk to SDF personnel On August 21, in a session of the House of Councillors Special Committee on Legislation for the Peace and Security of Japan and the International Community, DPJ Acting President Renho tabled questions to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and others to deeply probe the flaws of the security-related bills. Regarding the bill to revise the Self-Defense Forces Law to enable the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to protect weapons of the U.S. and other countries’ armed forces, Renho asked, “This bill allows the SDF to protect everything from fighter aircraft to aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines of the U.S. Forces. If a missile were to be fired on a vessel that the SDF are protecting, can the SDF intercept the missile?” Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani responded, “If it constitutes a part of combat operations, then they cannot. However, in the case of an unforeseen situation where confirmation cannot be made, then when a missile is fired on a U.S. or other countries’ vessel, the SDF may protect it if it is deemed not to be a combat operation.” Renho commented sharply, saying, “The passage of this bill would allow the SDF to protect the weapons of foreign armed forces anywhere on Earth as well as intercept missiles and utilize other firearms under the pretext of protecting Japan. In the eyes of the opponent, the SDF would be seen as exercising the right to collective self-defense.” Renho asked, “Does the bill to amend the Self-Defense Forces Law contain clauses to avoid danger, which are provided for in the bill for situations that will have an important influence on Japan’s peace and security? For example, does it contain clauses for the designation and modification of the area of activity and the temporary suspension of missions?” Nakatani responded, “Such clauses are not contained in the bill to amend the Self-Defense Forces Law, but rather in the bill for situations that will have an important influence on Japan’s peace and security. The purpose of the bill to amend the Self-Defense Forces Law is to defend Japan; it is to defend Japan regardless of the dangers in our way and to take actions that respond to the public’s mandate.” Noting that the clauses do not stipulate securing the safety of SDF personnel, Renho stated, “The sudden start of armed attacks cannot be ruled out. The bills do not make any assurances for this risk.”