Do they want to increase North-South Korea military tension?

Japan Press Weekly

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

Do they want to increase North-South Korea military tension?

Diet members of parties other than the Japanese Communist have expressed opinions that could lead to an increase in the military tension caused by North Korea's recent provocation against South Korea.

At a Lower House Budget Committee meeting on November 25, Democratic Party of Japan representative Kitagami Keirou said, "Depending on conditions, it is possible (for Japan) to take part in" the U.S.-South Korea joint military training exercise scheduled to start on 28^th. Blaming the current Self Defense Forces Law for limiting the foreign areas for SDF operations to only safety-ensured places, he called for the revision of the law in order to send the SDF to rescue Japanese citizens in case of further armed conflict between North and South Korea.

Kitagami also said, "Japan should not again go along with the resumption of the Six-Party Talks on the North Korean nuclear issues."

Kitagami's proposal was supported by Liberal Democratic Party member Onodera Itsunori, who said, "Our party has been calling for the SDF law to be revised." In response to Onodera, Defense Minister Kitazawa Toshimi promised to consider their suggestion.

Launching full-scale sanctions against North Korea was called for by Komei Party representative Takeuchi Yuzuru at the meeting.

Regarding Prime Minister Kan Naoto's decision to suspend procedures for providing tuition-free education for students of Korean high schools in Japan, LDP member Yamamoto Ichita said at an Upper House meeting, "The decision is correct."

- Akahata, November 26, 2010