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Three defense guideline bills, which include a bill covering military security in areas near Japan, were in part amended by the Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation Guideline Committee in the Lower House and then approved by the Lower House.
Rengo has the following comments on the bill:
- Rengo has reviewed this bill, and in a March 17 communique presented seven points we thought needed to be addressed. There were, subsequently, partial amendments to the bill, but the basics did not become a topic of parliamentary debate. Passing the bill without those debates were a rash, undemocratic act.
- Rengo has stated strongly it would like to exclude the private sector and the self-governing institution from this bill, but how that can be done is not clear at all. This bill was approved by a parliamentary committee, and not the voice of the people.
The government is trying to alter the law to loosen restrictions against private sector, in a move that defies the stated desires of the Japanese people.
- The bill was approved on the government's terms. But the Diet should be run by the preferences of all political parties working together. The debate schedule should be based on the people's desires, not the Diet's scheduling. The government's actions show a lack of interest in the legislative process.
Rengo will continue to support the proposed amendments to this bill as voiced by the Democratic Party.
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