Abe Resumes Work to Lift Joint Defense Ban

Tokyo, April 8 (Jiji Press)--Japan has resumed deliberations to remove its self-imposed ban on exercising the right to collective self-defense, a policy goal long pursued by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In early February, the Abe administration convened a panel of experts to discuss the issue for the first time since the prime minister took office last December. The panel was established by Abe in 2007 during his first stint as prime minister. The responsibility of the Japan-U.S. alliance is "growing heavier" with the advance of nuclear weapons programs by North Korea and Iran and the changing security environment in the East China Sea and South China Sea, Abe told the panel meeting. In 2008, the panel proposed two cases in which Japan could exercise the right to collective self-defense, or coming to the defense of an ally if it is attacked. The two cases were the deployment of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to defend U.S. vessels under attack in open waters and the use of Japan's missile defense system to intercept ballistic missiles targeting the United States. The resumed panel, headed by Shunji Yanai, a former ambassador to the United States and now president of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, will discuss, in addition to the two cases, what Japan can do to improve the two countries' joint security system. Deliberations at the panel are expected to proceed in line with Abe's stated aim of reinforcing "give-and-take relations" between Japan and the United States to keep China's naval expansion and North Korea's nuclear and missile programs in check more effectively. The panel will also discuss Japan's possible involvement in logistical support for the armed forces of other countries during peacekeeping operations organized by the United Nations and also defending them if they are attacked. The envisioned expansion of the role of the Self-Defense Forces needs to be consistent with Article 9 of Japan's constitution, which bans the "use of force as means of settling international disputes." In March, Abe said the war-renouncing article should be amended in the future to pave the way for Japan's participation in a collective security system under the U.N. Charter, suggesting that the panel may eventually seek amendment of the article. But the Liberal Democratic Party, headed by Abe, lacks a majority in the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of the Diet, or parliament, and many LDP lawmakers have called on the prime minister to be patient ahead of the chance to strengthen the power base of his administration in the Upper House election this summer. Abe should prioritize Japan's economic rejuvenation until the election and hold back his "hawkish stance" on national security issues, said a veteran LDP lawmaker. Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of the New Komeito party, which is the LDP's junior partner in the ruling coalition, has also called for careful deliberations by the panel, questioning how brakes could be applied on the use of force if its application is expanded. It is believed Abe sees Nippon Ishin No Kai (Japan Restoration Party) as a partner for pursing constitutional amendment. The results of the coming Upper House election are expected to have a great impact on the outlook for deliberations at the panel. END