Four veteran politicians voice opposition to security bills of Abe administration
Jun. 17, 2015
by Osamu Kido, Staff Writer
Four veteran politicians who are former leading Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) members and Cabinet members, including independent lawmaker and former Finance Minister Shizuka Kamei, 78, and former LDP Vice President Taku Yamazaki, 78, held a press conference at the Japan National Press Club on June 12 and expressed opposition to the proposed security bills which permit Japan the right to exercise collective self-defense. They blasted the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, saying, “We cannot allow one Cabinet to arbitrarily change the interpretation of the Constitution.”
Also present were Hirohisa Fujii, 82, the former acting leader of the Democratic Party of Japan and former Finance Minister, and Masayoshi Takemura, 80, the former leader of the New Party Sakigake and the Chief Cabinet Secretary. Mr. Kamei, Mr. Fujii, and Mr. Takemura were all members of the LDP.
Mr. Kamei, who called the news conference, stressed that, “Japan is now facing its greatest crisis since it lost the Second World War. We cannot remain silent because we are old.” He criticized Mr. Abe over his eagerness to have the bills enacted by the end of the current Diet session, saying that pushing through this critical legislation unchallenged was an extraordinary development. Mr. Kamei also questioned whether the public is prepared for the possible deaths of personnel in the Self-Defense Forces. He stressed that the House of Representatives should be dissolved for voters to respond.
Mr. Yamazaki, who was known as a security and defense policy lobbyist, said that Mr. Abe’s attempt to dramatically transform Japan from an anti-war nation to a country exercising military force will lead Japan down the path of a mistaken national policy. He added, “Sending the Self-Defense Forces to the opposite side of the world to support allied troops is a clear violation of the Constitution.”
Mr. Fujii pointed out that the right to collective self-defense is tantamount to a military alliance. Regarding last July’s Cabinet decision to change the interpretation of the Constitution, he criticized this as a deeply disingenuous act by the LDP and its Komeito coalition partner. Mr. Takemura said, “If these controversial bills are unilaterally railroaded on the back of their numerical strength, it will create serious problems in the future.”
(Originally published on June 13, 2015)
Four veteran politicians who are former leading Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) members and Cabinet members, including independent lawmaker and former Finance Minister Shizuka Kamei, 78, and former LDP Vice President Taku Yamazaki, 78, held a press conference at the Japan National Press Club on June 12 and expressed opposition to the proposed security bills which permit Japan the right to exercise collective self-defense. They blasted the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, saying, “We cannot allow one Cabinet to arbitrarily change the interpretation of the Constitution.”
Also present were Hirohisa Fujii, 82, the former acting leader of the Democratic Party of Japan and former Finance Minister, and Masayoshi Takemura, 80, the former leader of the New Party Sakigake and the Chief Cabinet Secretary. Mr. Kamei, Mr. Fujii, and Mr. Takemura were all members of the LDP.
Mr. Kamei, who called the news conference, stressed that, “Japan is now facing its greatest crisis since it lost the Second World War. We cannot remain silent because we are old.” He criticized Mr. Abe over his eagerness to have the bills enacted by the end of the current Diet session, saying that pushing through this critical legislation unchallenged was an extraordinary development. Mr. Kamei also questioned whether the public is prepared for the possible deaths of personnel in the Self-Defense Forces. He stressed that the House of Representatives should be dissolved for voters to respond.
Mr. Yamazaki, who was known as a security and defense policy lobbyist, said that Mr. Abe’s attempt to dramatically transform Japan from an anti-war nation to a country exercising military force will lead Japan down the path of a mistaken national policy. He added, “Sending the Self-Defense Forces to the opposite side of the world to support allied troops is a clear violation of the Constitution.”
Mr. Fujii pointed out that the right to collective self-defense is tantamount to a military alliance. Regarding last July’s Cabinet decision to change the interpretation of the Constitution, he criticized this as a deeply disingenuous act by the LDP and its Komeito coalition partner. Mr. Takemura said, “If these controversial bills are unilaterally railroaded on the back of their numerical strength, it will create serious problems in the future.”
(Originally published on June 13, 2015)
