Japan Allows Self-Defense Force to Enter Foreign Territories

The Nihon Geijai reported yesterday that the Japanese government would include the article that the Japanese Self-Defense Force may enter the foreign territories under the permission of the related nation to the special law to support the U.S. war on terrorism.

According to the new law, the Japanese Self-Defense Force would be able to enter into the territory of Pakistan during the U.S. army operation in Pakistan, which highly increase the possibility of the Japanese Self-Defense Force to be engaged in combats.

The U.S.-Japan New Guideline made in 1999 has confined the range of the Japanese aid in the Japanese territories and the open sea, but by the new legislation, Japan will be able to enter foreign territorial lands and seas.

Shim Kyu-Sun ksshim@donga.com