Wanting Death of Troops

The Cabinet led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe decided on Tuesday to add “rushing rescue” to the peace-keeping operation of Japanese Self-defense Force in South Sudan. Although such mission had been recognized as unconstitutional, because of its aggressive nature to kill enemies for protecting friend troops, Abe administration changed the constitutional interpretation for new legacy of restoring old value in pre-war era. This is a leadership that hopes the people to be killed for a cause of nation.

Rushing rescue is a unique concept for Japanese Self-defense Force to help friend troops under attack of enemy in international security mission. While that kind of military mission had been recognized as use of force in foreign country, which was interpreted to be violating Article 9 of Constitution of Japan, that renounced war as means of settling international disputes, Abe administration was willing to dismiss the notion for degrading value of the Constitution disliked by the conservatives.

In the conceptual guideline for new mission, the government emphasized that rushing rescue would be exercised as a possible temporary measure in an extremely limited situation with urgent requirement. “Although it is a mission with danger, Self-defense Force can exercise its own unique capability,” described the guideline. It insisted that JSDF cannot refuse responsibility, when it is capable for helping friends.

The opposite parties realize that new mission as a benchmark of abandoning pacifism of Japan. “This is very dangerous and causes collapse of pacifism we have been embracing,” told Chairman of Diet Affairs Committee of Democratic Party, Kazunori Yamanoi. A lawmaker with DP, Yuichi Goto, revealed that the document on last visit of Minister of Defense, Tomomi Inada, to Juba, South Sudan, to see security situation was painted black to conceal the fact she knew.

There is a growing concern among the Japanese about death of JSDF troops in engagement with terrorists or anti-governmental militia, when they exercise rushing rescue in PKO operation. To escape from criticisms on jeopardizing Japanese citizens, Abe and other leaders reiterate “oath of mission.” Every member of JSDF takes it in the beginning of their career, in which they declare to finish their mission regardless danger.

In the logic of political leaders, JSDF members can die for the cause of nation, because they know what sacrifice is. Abe seems to think that sacrifice is necessary for Japan to be a normal country. However, no commander in the world hopes his men to die. This is an extremely rare leadership sending troops to be killed.