JCP calls for public movement against wartime legislation

Japanese Communist Party Shii Kazuo warned that the government's drafting of wartime legislation is tantamount to establishing a "full-scale mobilization system to meet 'U.S. emergencies'."

At a news conference on January 24, Shii stressed that the urgent need is to develop an opposition struggle to the scheme.

The Cabinet Secretary on January 22 outlined a plan on wartime legislation, and briefed the defense-related committee of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on it.

On this document, JCP Shii commented as follows:

"The JCP has warned that by enacting wartime laws, the government is aiming to establishing a system that will allow it to mobilize all resources in the event of U.S. wars in Asia. The cabinet document endorsed this."

"Such wartime laws will trample down on the peace and security of Japan, as well as human rights. They are completely incompatible with the Constitution. Now is the time for us to quickly rise in the struggle to block this dangerous move."

The new idea of the document that Japan may take "emergency measures in advance of possible attacks on Japan" means a major change from its preceding definition of 'measures to meet attacks on Japan.' This is very serious, he stated.

This means that even the "situations" referred to by the "Law for steps to deal with situations in areas surrounding Japan" based on the new Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation will come under the document's definition of "emergency measures in advance of possible attacks on Japan." This will allow Japan to deal with such 'situations' by invoking wartime laws, Shii said.

On government measures to mobilize local governments and civilians based on Article 9 of the "Law for steps to deal with situations in areas surrounding Japan," Shii pointed out the fact that the government has so far explained that the government is allowed to only request them to cooperate, not an obligatory act.

Once these measures are implemented under wartime laws, local autonomies and civilians will be compulsorily mobilized. This is very dangerous, Shii said.

To begin with, the Japanese government started its work on wartime legislation to meet the U.S. demand on Japan that it should "ensure implementation of the new Japan-U.S. Guidelines," Shii pointed out.

The JCP chair went on to say:

"While the LDP-government approach to finishing wartime legislation partly remains uncertain, it has become all the clearer that it is aimed at finishing a system to mobilize the people to "wars under U.S. emergencies" by restricting basic human rights." (end)