By Clint Richards
The LDP is seeking to unite the coalition government in order to enshrine collective self-defense by year’s end.
Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is gearing up to push the right to collective self-defense through the cabinet this week. On Wednesday the party’s vice president, Masahiko Komura, said he will work with junior coalition partner New Komeito, according to the Japan Times, “so that the decision will be reflected in the Japan-U.S. defense guidelines revised by the end of this year. Talks are expected to begin next week.”
The LDP wants the coalition to be in total agreement before the Cabinet gives its approval. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will provide an outline Thursday, based on a report from a panel chosen by him, that explains the government’s stance on collective self-defense. The LDP and New Komeito will meet next Tuesday to discuss Abe’s proposal.
Abe’s panel is expected to propose six conditions for exercising collective self-defense: three are conditional and three are procedural. The conditional requirements include: 1) A close Japanese ally is under attack; 2) A grave threat to Japanese security exists if force is withheld; and 3) Another country under attack asks Japan for offensive military assistance. The procedural requirements are: 1) The prime minister decides to use force; 2) The Diet approves the prime minister’s decision; and 3) A third country grants Japan permission to move troops through its territory en route to a conflict.
Read the full story at The Diplomat