Ruling parties and opposition DPJ agree to put the bill to extend SDF operation in the Indian Ocean to vote on Oct. 20

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Ruling parties and opposition DPJ agree to put the bill to extend SDF operation in the Indian Ocean to vote on Oct. 20

The ruling Liberal Democratic, Komei parties and the opposition Democratic Party on October 10 agreed to take a vote on the bill to extend the Self-Defense Forces’ operation in the Indian Ocean for one year on October 20 at the House of Representatives.

The Japanese Communist Party severely criticized them for setting a date for the vote even before discussing the bill to extend the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law.

JCP Lower House member Akamine Seiken called for a thorough discussion on the bill.

He said that at a time when moves to pursue political dialogue for a peaceful solution are taking place in Afghanistan, Japan should review the SDF operation in support of the U.S.-led war of retaliation.

On the same day, about 80 people took part in an urgent action in the Diet against an early vote on the bill to extend the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law. They attended a Lower House Committee meeting in which an explanation of the bill was provided and made representations to Dietmembers.

In his report on the Diet situation, JCP representative Akamine said, “For seven years I have been a member of the special committee on terrorism, but I have never witnessed an opposition party calling for plenary session discussions to be skipped and proposing a date for the vote even before deliberation starts. The DPJ is trying to help rescue the gridlocked Aso Cabinet.” - Akahata, October 11, 2008