1. Rengo's stance on Japan-U.S. new defense guidelines.

New Japan-U.S. defense cooperation guidelines were agreed upon in September, 1997.

Approval was worked out in January, 1995 during talks between former Prime Minister Murayama, former leader of the coalition government of the Sakigage party, the Social Democratic Party and the Liberal Democratic Party and U.S. President Clinton.

The two sides had agreed to consider strengthening mutual defense arrangements and declared a new Japan-U.S. Security Pact at a joint statement at an April, 1996 summit between former Prime Minister Hashimoto and U.S. President Clinton.

The new guidelines were reached in hasty and general talks between the two governments and not approved by the people. We take it seriously that these guidelines were reached with the consent of both nations, but we would like to point out the following, which represent the thoughts of the Japanese people.

1. The former guidelines were a reaction to the emergency threat of Japan's security based on the Japan-U.S. Cooperative Strategy Plan. The new guidelines are a reaction to threats to areas surrounding Japan, based on the Japan-U.S. cooperative plan. It is problematic that both countries agreed to such guidelines without redefining the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty responses to emergency threats.
   
   
2. Japan-U.S. Security Treaty was for the mutual benefit of two countries. The new guidelines cover regional security. Rengo enacted the nation's basic policy in 1993, and would like to keep the present treaty. It is a serious move to make the without redefining its terms.
   
   
3. The bill does not clearly define the limits of a "surrounding" or "rear" areas in the context of the new guidelines. As one of the 8 million members of Rengo, we will feel insecure toward the future.
   
   
4. The new Japan-U.S. guidelines include the cooperation of private-sector and an offer of the self-governing institution as Japanese support for the U.S. military action. As we state in items one and two, there are issues about the necessity of cooperating with the new guidelines.

With all these points, our government should consider both the wishes of the Japanese people and surrounding countries before making a concrete action.

In the future, we should not depend on international relations and defense policies, which are decided in these hastily-decided new guidelines that do not redefine the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. We should maintain Japan's alliance with the United States and also build defense relations with the surrounding countries from short-term military aspects but also for economic and cultural aspects which maintain the security of the surrounding countries.

2 Rengo's overview on bills on matters related to new Japan-U.S. defense guidelines.

1. This bill was slated for discussion in the 144th National Diet in 1998, governed by former Prime Minister Hashimoto under a coalition of the Liberal Democratic, Social Democratic and Sakigake parties. It was sent again to be discussed in this 145th National Diet, which opened January 19, 1999. This current government, led by Prime Minister Obuchi, is coalition of the Liberal Democratic and Liberal parties.
   
   First of all, it is a major contradiction that the same bill will be discussed by the different governments. The bill itself contains several problems.
   
   
   1. The bill to maintain security in areas near Japan should have contain safeguards to allow a role for the democratic process, with the exception of emergency situations.
      
      
   2. With that in mind, a procedure for the formulating basic responses to a security threat should be mapped out in the National Diet. This should also provide exceptions for emergency cases.
      
      
   3. The definition of Japan's surrounding areas is not clear. This National Diet should define this term. The bill should be clear that it is based on the present Japan-U.S. Security Treaty.
      
      
   4. As a trade union, we will not comment on specifics of what may constitute the bounds of Japan's surrounding areas. These geographical limits should be drawn by the Diet. However, we believe the bounds should be limited to the conditions in item three, and a view toward international geopolitics.
      
      
   5. The abilities and limits of the Self Defense Force should be considered in areas around Japan. This bill should exclude the cooperation of the private sector and offer guidelines to clarify the role of legal obligations to independent institutions. If it is impossible to omit, this Diet clarify specifics by careful consideration and in a democratic process.
      
      If a specific measure is passed, Diet consent must be mandatory in important matters.
      
      
   6. This bill should clarify that when situations and important problems arise in areas surrounding Japan, the Diet must consider the situations carefully.
      
      
   7. The following matters should be clarified during Diet discussion:
      The use of arms and military action.
      The use of arms to support rear area action.
      The inspection of ships.
      Removal of land mines.
      
      
2. Considering this bill, legislators must consider a civil movement known as the "Kobe Way." This requires foreign ships to certify they are not carrying nuclear weapons. Rengo understands this movement can ease anxieties of citizens of port cities. This popular movement should not be disturbed by politics.
   
   
3. The U.S. military last year moved its live weapon maneuvers from Route 104 in Okinawa prefecture to the mainland, in Yashirobetsu (Hokkaido), Kitafuji (Shizuoka), and Ogiderahara (Miyagi).
   
   During the U.S. military maneuvers, private ferries, aircraft and national roads were used by military organizations. Weapons were transported over national roads local hospitals were requested to provide emergency medical support.
   
   This Diet should report these occurrences. Also, the Diet encounters the reality that some U.S. Marine scandals in Okinawa were ignored. Okinawa contains 70 percent of U.S. Bases and practice areas in Japan. The Diet should discuss the Japan-U.S. Arrangement, which places a heavy burden on Japanese people