millitary

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Concluding Japan-U.S. GSOMIA will increase state control on the public

Akahata of March 22 reported that the Japanese and U.S. governments are considering concluding a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) that includes provisions that will bring back the dark days of repression that Japan experienced during WWII.

During his visit to the U.S. in January, former Defense Agency Director General Kyuma Fumio, who is now Liberal Democratic Party General Council chair, said that the Japanese foreign and defense ministries will consider concluding the agreement with the U.S., accelerating the government move to adopt it.

The GSOMIA is intended to have the Japanese government protect classified U.S. military information provided to Japan, the aim being to involve Japan in U.S. preemptive wars and increase Japan-U.S. military integration by hiding the Japanese people and media from the truth.

The October 2005 Security Consultative Committee document entitled, "U.S.-Japan Alliance: Transformation and Realignment for the Future" stated, "(B)oth sides will take additional necessary measures to protect shared classified information." Concluding a GSOMIA will be a practical application of this provision.

A GSOMIA stipulates, "The recipient Party will afford the information a degree of protection equivalent to that afforded it by the releasing Party," covering not only information on individual weapons and equipment, but also information on U.S. war plans and tactical data as well as information related to ciphers, ballistic missiles, and computer transmissions.

GSOMIA could lead to enacting a secret protection bill in accordance with the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and amending the Laws of Special Measures concerning Criminal Cases based on the Status of U.S. Forces in Japan Agreement (SOFA), all designed to control the public. Enacting a further comprehensive military information protection bill may also emerge.

The Japanese government keeps military information classified.

The military information protection law of 1899 banned the public from taking measurements, taking photos, or making reproductions of military facilities. Even elementary school students were not allowed to draw pictures of military trains crossing a river.

If GSOMIA is concluded, it will bring Japan back into a dark society based on secrets. GSOMIA is unconstitutional because it will prevent the public from knowing the truth behind Japan-U.S. military integration.
- Akahata, March 22, 2006