Cabinet chief presses for rights of collective self-defense to be authorized

Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuda Yasuo in an Upper House committee meeting on May 22 showed a strong desire for the government to decide as early as possible that it can exercise the right of collective self-defense that is not constitutional.

In answer to Wakabayashi Hideki (Democratic Party of Japan) in the House special committee meeting on the contingency legislation, Fukuda said, "More parliamentary discussion will be necessary. I wish the day would come as soon as possible under whatever cabinet that a decision on authorization is made."

The DPJ lawmaker said that it is necessary for the government to allow the Self-Defense Forces to exercise the right of collective self-defense to prevent the Japan-U.S. alliance from being undermined.

He also referred to the risk of Japan getting involved in a U.S. war against another country.

Defense Agency Director General Ishiba Shigeru answered, "Nothing can be gained without taking risks," which meant that there is a strong possibility of Japan being dragged in a U.S. war. (end)