News Cabinet approves bills on military attacks

フレームで見る  英文をプリントする  脚注をプリントする

The Cabinet endorsed a controversial package of bills April 16 to give the national government greater power to deal with foreign military attacks and ensure the smooth deployment of the Self-Defense Forces.

The ruling coalition submitted the bills — the first of their kind since the end of World War II — to the Diet April 17 to have them enacted as a priority matter during the current session that runs through June 19.

The bills are aimed at enabling the nation to better deal with external military attacks by concentrating power in the national government so it can quickly respond to emergencies, and to free the SDF's activities from various existing laws controlling traffic, land use and other areas to allow its smooth operation.

When a foreign military attack occurs or when a situation arises in which such an attack "can be predicted," the bill would enable the prime minister to set up a headquarters to implement plans drawn up by the government.

The bill would make the headquarters led by the prime minister the supreme authority over local governments, public and private organizations and individuals in handling a crisis.

有事法制関連3法案閣議決定

政府は16日、日本が武力攻撃された場合の対処手続きを決めた有事法制関連3法案を 閣議決定した。

Shukan ST: April 26, 2002

(C) All rights reserved