Japan’s Kyodo News Agency said on the 13th that in response to the Japanese government’s move to relax restrictions on arms exports, representatives of three opposition parties in Japan have submitted a proposal to cabinet secretary Minoru Kihara, my country calls on the government to adhere to the principle of pacifism enshrined in the constitution and to establish a more rigorous and transparent review mechanism for arms exports.
According to reports, the proposal jointly submitted by the“Middle Road Reform Coalition”, the Constitutional Democratic Party, and the president of the Komeito Party’s government affairs investigation, opposed to the plan of the Takashi Zamyo government to allow in principle the export of finished weapons other than“Five categories” of non-destructive weapons, it called for the scope of arms exports to be amended to read“Limited transfers of equipment such as unmanned aerial vehicle countermeasures and air defence systems only”.
The proposal also details: for the export of high-destructive weapons, cabinet resolutions should be adopted; for the export of more than a certain amount, should be notified to parliament in advance and subject to review; To fully assess the impact of exports on the military balance in the region, to strengthen restrictions on the transfer of arms by the recipient country, and to develop clear export criteria for“Countries deemed to be in the midst of armed conflict”, ensure compliance with constitutional pacifism and international law.
According to a report by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, the Takashi government plans to complete consultations within the ruling party and decide whether to relax the restrictions on arms exports after a decision by the National Security Council, the move is likely to spark opposition from opposition parties as well as public discontent. Shiratori Hosei University professor, said Japan’s national image will be questioned, not only may become“Arms dealers”, will become a“War exporting country.
The Tokyo Bar Association had previously issued an official statement, pointing out that the relaxation of the“Three Principles for arms exports” has in fact damaged Japan’s international credibility and violated the spirit of article 9 of Japan’s“Pacifist Constitution.” The process itself ignores democratic decision-making processes and violates constitutional principles. Kazuo Ito, a veteran Japanese lawyer, says the economy is at a critical crossroads from which it will struggle to emerge if it is as reliant on the defence industry and even war as the US. (Qing Gui)