Security Laws Partly Left Behind

The Cabinet led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe decided on Tuesday that it would activate new security legislation on 29^th of this month. Although the Ministries have been reviewing the details of legal system related to the legislation, some parts will not be activated due to the delay of making actual rules. Fundamental reason seems to be a political strategy for not stimulating public sentiment against highly controversial legislation before the election this summer.

The Security-related Laws consist of eleven new or revised laws, including International Peace Supporting Law or revisions of Important Influential Situation Safety Securing Law or Armed Attack Situation Management Law. The Cabinet also decided twenty-six governmental ordinances, one of which enabled Japanese Self-defense Force sending commander to United Nations Peace-keeping Operations.

Starting 0:00 a.m. of 29^th, Japan can exercise military gpower for other country, which are under military attacks, without any direct attack on Japan, if Japanese government realizes that the situation affects existence of the nation. But, a possible operation under new legislation so far is the peace-keeping operation in South Sudan. Abe administration is not going to have an operation of approaching-guard for troops of other countries. Although new security legislation enabled JSDF taking such operation, the government refrains from doing that. It is recognized as based on political considerations.

JSDF will also not activate expanded use of weapons in peacetime, which includes armed protection of American vessels before actual military conflict begins. While JSDF had not been allowed protecting American Force in an operation of guarding Japan, new legislation unleashed such an activity. But, a condition of activation that was to make operational guideline was not fulfilled. It can also be a temporary measure not to stimulate the public before the election.

Environment around security legislation in Japan is growingly negative for the government. It was reported that the graduates of National Defense Academy are getting reluctant to take the oath to be JSDF officers. The number of graduates this year who refused to be the officer doubled the number last year. There are still arguments that new security legislation was really necessary for protecting Japan or maintaining alliance with United States. That is why growing opinion against exercising collective self-defense right or demonstration demanding abolishment of the legislation is getting power.