Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2014 July 16 - 22 [POLITICS]

PM Abe hints at possibility for SDF to use force abroad

Prime Minister Abe Shinzo hinted at the possibility for Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to use armed force during its missions abroad.

Abe made this remark in response to a question by Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors Koike Akira at a House Budget Committee session on July 15.

Koike took up the issue regarding a recent decision made by the Abe Cabinet which authorized Japan’s exercise of the right to collective self-defense and allowed the SDF to enter potential battle zones.

Koike asked Abe, “What if SDF troops dispatched overseas come under attack and have no choice but to respond to the attacks? Can you say that Japanese troops will not resort to force even under such circumstances?”

The prime minister replied, “It’s only natural for SDF members to use weapons in order to protect themselves as well as to carry out their duties.”

Japan’s successive governments have banned SDF personnel from using firearms for any purpose other than “self-defense”. According to Abe, the SDF will also be permitted to use arms to conduct its “missions”.

The JCP legislator strongly demanded the retraction of the Cabinet decision, stressing, “SDF members may take foreigners’ lives and may lose their own lives in combat operations. It’s totally unacceptable that the administration make such a dramatic shift in security policies by approving a single decision without further discussion.”

Past related article:
> PM Abe admits SDF may engage in battle [July 15, 2014]