Japan Passes Three Bills to Firm up Defense against NK Threat

The Japanese Diet held a main meeting on May 15 and agreed on three bills concerning possible emergency measures in case North Korea attacks the country. The bills were passed with over 90 percent agreement from the ruling and opposition parties. They will have to go through further consideration and voting process from May 19, but today`s action has already gained firm ground.

The bills include measures against possible attacks, revisions to the self-defense forces and revision in the establishment of the Security Council during emergencies. The self-defense measures enabled the use of private land and the Japanese government was also given power to control local bodies and mobilize broadcasting media if necessary.

Regarding these revisions, some 500 religious leaders and labor institution members launched a demonstration on May 14 around the Diet building chanting slogans like: “These are laws for mobilizing the whole population,” and “The ruling and opposition party are colluding to kill democracy in Japan.”

Some of the Japanese press also said that “the bills are likely to intrude on freedom of speech, a basic right guaranteed by the constitution. They should be abandoned.”

“It would be better for Japan to concentrate on its own self-defense for its long-term interest and peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region,” said a Chinese Foreign Affairs Department representative on May 14.

Hun-Joo Cho hanscho@donga.com