SDF uses resident register to recruit youth

   In order to recruit young people into the Self-Defense Forces, a local SDF recruiting office in Oita City obtained personal data of residents from the Basic Resident Register without their permission.

   This was revealed in the Oita City Assembly on September 18 by Japanese Communist Party City Assembly member Hirotsugu Tadahiko.

   The SDF office on March 6 requested the municipality to allow it to access the register that contains personal data such as name, date of birth, address, and sex, and for three days from March 12 actually checked the register listing those who were born between April 2, 1985 and April 1, 1986, according to Hirotsugu.

   In reply to Hirotsugu’s question, a city official stated that the city government granted the SDF permission to access the data in compliance with the law.

   “The SDF checked the data to recruit young people. This is different from legally required surveys like the ones for tax or welfare services. The city government should not have given such permission,” stated the JCP assembly member.

   En’nyu Tateo, secretary general of the Oita Prefectural Council against A and H Bombs, said, “In order to protect the safety of residents, local governments must refrain from such cooperation with the armed forces. I’m concerned that preparations for military conscription could have started.”

- Akahata, September 19, 2007