Use of Force for Saving People

To deal with kidnapping incident in Syria, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is going to be more involved in fight against terrorism. He appealed the necessity of enhancing capability of Japanese Self-defense Force in foreign countries to rescue Japanese people. This prime minister seems to believe in that Japanese Self-defense Force can save life of Kenji Goto, a Japanese hostage in Islamic State. If so, do it now. It is obvious that Goto’s life will be more threatened, if Japan sends the force to neighbor country of Syria. This leader makes such a reckless speech.

In the discussion of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Abe emphasized Japan’s conviction to contribute to war on terrorism. “Our country never gives in terrorism,” he reiterated. “Our support to neighbor country of Syria was aimed to humanitarian support. It was proper activity as a member of international society. If we give in threats from terrorists with concern of that risk, we will not be able to make humanitarian support at all,” Abe added in his answer to the questions of the opposite parties.

Two days before the discussion, Abe revealed his intention to add new capability on self-defense force in abroad in TV program. “When Japanese people encountered a mischief in abroad, the Self-defense Force cannot exercise its full capability,” told Abe. He revealed his hope to include broader capability of the force for using weapons in coming legislation for enhanced security. He also presented his idea that Japanese Self-defense Force can join coalition forces for logistic support even without any United Nations resolution.

Calm down, Mr. Prime Minister. Islamic State raised Japan’s humanitarian support to its neighbor countries as adversary behavior. What if Japan sends its troops there? Hostages will immediately be killed. Countries involved in military operation to fight Islamic State were targeted as enemies. There were assault to the parliament in Ottawa, Canada, murder of hostages in a restaurant in Sydney, Australia, and a newspaper office in Paris, France, was destroyed. It is likely that Tokyo will be targeted as the place for terrorist attack. Countermeasures in Abe’s mind may throw Japanese people in danger.

Compared to coalition countries, Japan is less related to struggle between Western nations and Islamic extremists. It is reasonable for Japan to take certain distance from it. If it causes deterioration of alliance with United States, Japan needs to explain the role of itself in non-military measures. Abe looks to be overturning Japan’s credibility in Middle East, that has been accumulated in post-war era.