 |
| Shinzo Abe (File Photo) |
By Clint Richards
Japan’s coalition partners are looking to iron out their differences over ‘grey-zone issues’ this week.
Japan’s ruling LDP issued a few new proposals this weekend as it renews talks this week with its coalition partner New Komeito over the country’s right to collective self-defense. Talks between the two partners will resume on Tuesday, and so far the more pacifist New Komeito has proven unwilling to quickly approve the LDP’s large raft of changes to the interpretation of Article 9 of the Constitution, which enshrines Japan’s non-aggressive military posture.
The government said on Sunday it was considering “giving prime ministers a free hand in mobilizing the Self-Defense Forces to respond swiftly to ‘grey-zone’ incidents,” according to the Japan Times. The prime minister would have advance approval from the Cabinet to deploy the SDF to respond quickly to threats to Japanese interests. As the law now stands, the Japan Coast Guard and police force are the only security forces authorized to thwart foreign combatants disguised as citizens who threaten to occupy Japanese territory. This is an example often used by the LDP to allow the prime minister greater latitude in dealing with threats that could materialize quickly.
According to the government sources spoken to by the Japan Times, the prime minister may deploy the SDF if there is a “special need,” under the government’s new plan.
Read the full story at The Diplomat