JCP opposes Diet resolution supporting U.S. military retaliation

The House of Representatives in the September 27 Plenary Session adopted
a resolution pledging to do all Japan can to help the war on terrorists
which the U.S. government is now preparing for.

The resolution endorsing the government's seven-point plan for supporting
the U.S. was adopted by a majority of the three parties in the ruling
coalition (the Liberal Democratic, Komei, and Conservative parties) and the
opposition Democratic Party of Japan.

The Japanese Communist Party, the Liberal Party, and the Social
Democratic Party voted against the resolution. Some DPJ members were absent
from voting.

The House of Councilors also adopted a similar resolution. The JCP and
the LP voted against it. A DPJ member and three out of seven SDP members
cast dissenting votes.

In the House of Representatives Steering Committee meeting which preceded
the Plenary Session, Kodama Kenji of the JCP said that the sense in the Diet
calling for the elimination of terrorism should be expressed in a unanimous
resolution.

Kodama in the committee meeting read a JCP proposal for a draft
resolution condemning the recent terrorist attacks on the United States. The
JCP draft also expressed condolences to the families of victims, and called
for the suspects and their supporters to be arrested and brought to justice.

Kodama pointed out that the government plan to unrestrictedly support
U.S. military operations, including sending the Self-Defense Forces abroad,
contravenes the Constitution and contradicts past Diet discussions and
government statements on the issues. (end)