LDP policy chief`s remarks raise alarm

The recent remarks by Shizuka Kamei, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)`s policy chief who is challenging for prime minister, about self-defense must have revealed the policy of conservatives within the ruling party.

His remarks hinted that Japan would dispatch its defense forces to the Korean peninsula if the U.S. forces in Korea were attacked so that it could utilize its forces together with U.S. forces.

He reasoned that it could affect Japan`s security. But his remarks are noteworthy because they indicate substantially relaxed grounds for mobilizing the Japan`s defense forces and could further expand its military involvement.

Under the Japanese constitution, which stipulates that it has abandoned war and maintaining military forces, the defense forces cannot be mobilized for warfare. The forces can be mobilized only when Japan is attacked by outside forces, and is likely to be attacked. It is a so-called exclusive defense concept for the defense force. And it requires approval of parliament.

Kamei said that the defense force cannot mobilize as a member of an alliance in an international dispute, noting that it only can mobilize forces under cooperation with U.S. forces.

The scope of mobilization of the defense force for aid to U.S. forces has been expanded in line with the 1999 new defense guidelines agreed between Japan and the United States. However, its military activities are limited to aid to the U.S. military activities or the rescue of its citizens.

So the recent remarks by Kamei must be intended to expand the scope of military activities and softening the grounds for mobilization of the defense force. Of course, it requires rewriting of Japan`s defense force law, as well as the guidelines with the United States.

The revision of the defense law is a long-cherished project for the conservatives in the LDP. They already have worked out a draft, although they are reluctant to mention it because of potential challenges from neighboring countries, as well as opposition parties. So Kamei`s recent remarks represented the position of the LDP`s conservatives.

It is rather disappointing that the United States would allow Japan to revise the relevant law, but it is a topic that the United States, which is considering to share its military burden in Asia, might review someday.

Who is Kamei?

Kamei is a seven-term member of the House of Representatives. He graduated from Tokyo University, majoring in economics. He worked for a steel company and worked as a police officer since 1962. He joined the political circle in 1977. He served as minister of transportation and construction. Under the government of Prime Minister Mori Yoshiro, he was appointed as LDP`s policy chief and as Mori`s close aide.

He is a hawkish politician as far as security matters are concerned. At a meeting held at the Korean Embassy in Japan in October 1986, he has made controversial remarks, saying that there is no guarantee that a war would not break out even between Korea and Japan.

Shim Kyu-Sun ksshim@donga.com