Prime Minister Abe seeks understanding over right to collective self-defense
Aug. 12, 2014
by Osamu Kido and Kenichiro Nozaki, Staff Writers
After attending the Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 6, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press conference and restated his hope that the cabinet’s approval of exercising the right to collective self-defense will be accepted by the public. He said the decision was intended “to make Japan’s progress as a peaceful nation stronger.”
Mr. Abe stated, “This deterrent will help reduce the possibility that Japan will be drawn into a war. It is vital to prepare the nation’s legal framework so we will have an airtight defense in any situation.”
He also stressed that no change will be made to the principle that the overseas deployment of military personnel is generally unacceptable. Responding to voices of concern that a military draft might be reinstituted, Mr. Abe said, “This is simply a groundless rumor. I clearly stated in the Diet that it would be unconstitutional.”
Before the press conference, Mr. Abe met with A-bomb survivors in a session organized by the city government. Survivors demanded that the cabinet’s approval be retracted, but the prime minister responded by saying that he has no intention of having Japan engage in warfare. He indicated his desire to give a detailed explanation to the public.
(Originally published on August 7, 2014)
After attending the Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 6, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press conference and restated his hope that the cabinet’s approval of exercising the right to collective self-defense will be accepted by the public. He said the decision was intended “to make Japan’s progress as a peaceful nation stronger.”
Mr. Abe stated, “This deterrent will help reduce the possibility that Japan will be drawn into a war. It is vital to prepare the nation’s legal framework so we will have an airtight defense in any situation.”
He also stressed that no change will be made to the principle that the overseas deployment of military personnel is generally unacceptable. Responding to voices of concern that a military draft might be reinstituted, Mr. Abe said, “This is simply a groundless rumor. I clearly stated in the Diet that it would be unconstitutional.”
Before the press conference, Mr. Abe met with A-bomb survivors in a session organized by the city government. Survivors demanded that the cabinet’s approval be retracted, but the prime minister responded by saying that he has no intention of having Japan engage in warfare. He indicated his desire to give a detailed explanation to the public.
(Originally published on August 7, 2014)
