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2025 June 4 - 10 [POLITICS]

JCP Tatsumi pushes gov’t to cancel plan to purchase Israeli-made drones used in Gaza

Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Tatsumi Kotaro on June 4 urged the government to cancel the plan to purchase Israeli-made unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV or fighter drones) which are being used to attack tent camps in Gaza.

At a meeting of the House of Representatives Economy and Industry Committee, Tatsumi took up the Defense Ministry’s plan to purchase attack drones manufactured by Israel’s top military corporation, Elbit Systems. He said that in April, the same type of drones were reportedly used to attack Palestinians sheltering in tents, and added that Elbit has made the pitch promoting the drone in question by saying that it is capable of attacking targets with pinpoint accuracy as shown in the April strike in Gaza.

Tatsumi stressed that it is unacceptable for Japan to act in violation of the preamble of the Constitution recognizing that all peoples of the world have the right to live in peace, free from fear and want. He demanded that the government abandon the planned purchase of Elbit’s attack drones. State Minister of Defense Honda Taro in reply said that the ministry will strive for a “proper acquisition” based on an overall evaluation.

Tatsumi referred to deadly attacks by Israeli troops on Gazans facing starvation at and near an aid center run by the U.S.-led “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)” in Rafah, southern Gaza. He criticized Israel’s attack as a violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

The JCP lawmaker said that the Japanese government should display a firm attitude toward Israel in order to put a stop to its genocidal act, and demanded a halt to talks on a Japan-Israel Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

Past related article:
> Japan should take action to stop Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza: JCP Kami [May 27, 2025]