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Japanese Lawmakers OK Greater Overseas Role For Military: Will Ripley
Japanese Lawmakers OK Greater Overseas Role For Military: Will Ripley
Story highlights
The bills, championed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, sparked fierce and vocal
opposition, with massive demonstrations in Tokyo streets in recent months
and physical altercations in parliament this week.
A scuffle broke out Thursday as opposition lawmakers in a special committee
of the Upper House attempted to delay a vote. But the bill ultimately passed
the committee, setting the stage for Saturday's vote.
Supporters of the legislation, including top U.S. officials, say Japan needs to
expand the role of the SDF to counter potential threats from nations such as
China and North Korea. Both continue to develop their military and nuclear
weapons programs.
Earlier this month, China staged its largest military parade ever to celebrate
70 years since Japan's World War II defeat. Beijing remains locked in
territorial disputes with multiple Asian neighbors in the East and South China
seas.
On Tuesday, North Korea warned the United States and its allies that it
is ready to use nuclear weapons "at any time" and is expected to launch a
new satellite using a long-range rocket sometime in the coming weeks.
Tokyo has faced growing international pressure to expand the role of its
military, including deployment, to defend the interests of its key allies,
including the United States. America is bound by treaty to defend Japan, an
agreement that has been in place since 1960.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, stands with former Chinese Presidents Jiang
Zemin and Hu Jintao and current Premier Li Keqiang at the military parade in
Beijing on September 3.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
People's Liberation Army troops arrive at Tiananmen Gate in formation for
the parade on September 3.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
Chinese soldiers march past Tiananmen Square on September 3.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
A Chinese military choir stands in position ahead of a military parade at
Tiananmen Square in Beijing on September 3.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
Chinese soldiers conduct last-minute drills ahead of the military parade in
Beijing's Tiananmen Square on September 3.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
Decorated with medals, 85-year-old Shen Ji-lan prepares for the military
parade in Beijing. She is the only person in China to be appointed twelve
consecutive times as a member of the National People's Congress, China's
legislature, according to local media.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
Chinese President Xi Jinping stands in a sedan to address the People's
Liberation Army on September 3.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
Thousands of doves are released during the parade on September 3.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
Tanks promenade through the parade route on September 3.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
Chinese veterans wave from a bus during the military parade on September
3.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
Chinese military helicopters fly in formation during the grand parade on
September 3.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
Missiles are displayed along the parade route on September 3.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
Chinese soldiers march past the Great Hall of the People at Tiananmen
Square on September 3, 2015 in Beijing, China.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
Decorated with medals, 85-year-old Shen Ji-lan prepares for the military
parade in Beijing. She is the only person in China to be appointed twelve
consecutive times as a member of the National People's Congress, China's
legislature, according to local media.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
A paramilitary policeman stands at attention in Tiananmen Square in Beijing
on September 2, 2015.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
A military vehicle carrying a Pterodactyl I drone rolled through Beijing on
September 3.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
Military vehicles carry missiles past the Tiananmen Gate on September 3.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
Chinese President Xi Jinping stands in a sedan to address the People's
Liberation Army on September 3.
Hide Caption
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
Thousands of doves are released during the parade on September 3.
Hide Caption
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
Tanks promenade through the parade route on September 3.
Hide Caption
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
Chinese veterans wave from a bus during the military parade on September
3.
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19 photos: China celebrates World War II victory
Chinese military helicopters fly in formation during the grand parade on
September 3.
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"Japan is like the 42-year-old kid still living in the basement of the United
States," said longtime Asia strategist Keith Henry.
Henry's Tokyo-based consulting firm, Asia Strategy, provides governmental
policy analysis. Henry likens the defense bills to Japan finally "growing up"
and moving beyond vague concepts of peace and democracy that are no
longer practical given today's rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
Henry says Japan is assuming a more proactive role in regional security, in
part to offset China's growing military might.
"Japan is moving out of the house of the U.S. that was essentially built after
World War II," Henry said. "But there are risks involved in protecting one's
national self interests."
Abe's face appears on posters with a Hitler-style mustache and Nazi swastika
drawn on his forehead. The symbolism is clear. Some of these demonstrators
view their Prime Minister as a dictator.
sweeping powers to the government," which could allow logistic support and
assistance to allied countries during wartime.
He said that Abe's administration has rushed discussion of the security
legislation, and that the public "demand(s) the government to slow down so
that people get a better understanding of what is happening."
Opposition to the move is clearly evident in opinion polls. A recent
poll carried out by Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun indicated that 54% of
respondents opposed the legislation, while 29% supported the bills. Threequarters of respondents said parliamentary debate on security bills has been
insufficient.